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.

A Sri Lankan reporter has been sentenced to 20 years in jail for writing articles critical of the government's military operations.

New Zealand's biggest secondary school bans school balls after parents helped students to organise a boozy after-ball function.

Bars around the country could be breaking the law with promotions that encourage binge-drinking.

The man behind a new website that names and shames bad debtors has been revealed as a convicted money launderer.

Mother says she cried for two hours after being told she could stay in the country.

Suspensions lifted but school's BOT orders those involved to undergo anger management courses.

Demands for second opinion would have added to claimants' trauma, says critic.

Prime Minister John Key believes his response to the overwhelming "no" vote in the smacking law referendum will give people "comfort".

One in seven Kiwi men say their partners get angry if they speak to other women.

Changes to the way welfare officers handle complaints about light smacking are likely, Prime Minister John Key said today.

Proposals to Cabinet today should give parents more confidence they will not be criminalised for smacking their children, Prime Minister John Key says.

The number of people aged 65-plus is expected to double in the next 30 to 40 years.