A former All Black too drunk for a breath test suffers fractures to his face in a fight after a crash.

While the number of people on benefits is rising, there are positive signs, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce hints at tougher drink-driving laws, describing existing alcohol limits for drivers as "ridiculous".

Facebook may give your brian a good workout claim scientists.

Bristol City Council asks its constituents to answer a referendum on whether graffiti in the city should stay - or be removed.

Police are prosecuting a company for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors at school after-balls.

A detective with personal links to Kristin Dunne-Powell should not have worked on the Tony Veitch investigation, according an official report.

Gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation centre, lined people against a wall and shot 17 dead in Mexico. Photo / AP

Licensing tobacco retailers and turning cigarette packs into plain packages bearing only health warnings is among five new proposals to reduce smoking.

A study indicates 70 per cent of parents who abuse their children were abused themselves.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia and Labour's Annette King are calling for action over a report slamming New Zealand's treatment of children.

Rangitoto College's decision to ban future school balls draws a strong response from nzherald.co.nz readers.

Rangitoto College "blackmailed" and "bullied" students for knowledge of planned after-balls, parents say.

Parents may organise their own ball for Rangitoto students if the school cancels next year's ball.