As many as one in 10 older people may be victims of financial elder abuse, writes Diana Clement.

Trailblazing legal crusader Dame Silvia Cartwright speaks candidly to David Fisher about longer jail sentences, child poverty and the strain of being Governor-General.

Previous members' bills dealing with such issues have received little support, but Lecretia's case touched a nerve, writes Mai Chen.

The inner-city youth centre is disappearing, a victim of both lead contamination and changing times. Simon Collins reports.

Just over two years ago, Housing Minister Nick Smith announced that "this year" the Government was developing a housing warrant of fitness, writes Brian Rudman.

You'd be surprised just how hard it is to find a family willing to let a Herald writer snoop around their home and ask all sorts of intrusive questions about their substandard living conditions, writes Peter Calder.

Cold, damp housing is a significant issue facing children, with a paediatrician calling for more to be done to change the culture of accepting unfit houses.

Deborah Hill Cone writes: In a chaotic world, bullies tell us what to think, what to do, and what we are doing wrong. This can be comforting if you feel unsure who you are.

The sanctity of life lies at the heart of public policy in a civilised society that considers it has no right to take a life even as retribution for taking a life.

Children are more likely to be in material hardship relative to the rest of the population in New Zealand than in any European country.

Lecretia Seales never planned to be the poster girl for the right-to-die campaign in New Zealand.

Some agencies are expected to close in a radical revamp of social service funding unveiled by Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

A charity wants the Government to pay for it to take over an Auckland motel for families who are living in caravan parks or doubling up in overcrowded houses.

Frustrated foster parents have to get permission every time their foster child needs major medical treatment, changes schools or the family move.

Despite being officially recognised as a woman in New Zealand, a transgender Kiwi has been told she cannot use her "female name" to register her marriage.

The most vulnerable are likely to suffer with the introduction of 'social bonds' for the private sector, writes Dita De Boni.

If we are to reduce reoffending, and thereby create fewer victims, crime must often be viewed not as the problem but as a symptom of a problem, writes Jarrod Gilbert.

Robyn Pearce says it's not hard to draw a very short bow between reading struggles and diminished productivity.

Is New Zealand in a golden era of death threats? The advent of social media has made threatening a media personality easier and safer for both sides, writes Matt Heath.

The woman at the centre of a legal battle over her right to die may not live long enough to hear the verdict, her husband says.

A transgender Kiwi officially recognised as a woman has found love and will get married today.

The woman at the centre of a legal battle over her right to die might not live long enough to hear the verdict, her husband says.

Here’s hoping the High Court can robustly defend the sanctity of life, writes John Roughan.

Whatever happens at the High Court at Wellington, Lecretia Seales will forever be linked to the euthanasia argument in New Zealand.

The current news media attention on Relationships Aotearoa and its dire financial situation highlights the state of many community-based organisations, writes Richard Wood.

Schools have been asked to consider offering gender-neutral uniforms as part of new sexuality education guidelines aimed at being more inclusive.

One of New Zealand’s most experienced private investigators offers advice on how to deal with stalkers.

Not only will the benefit boost do little to alleviate poverty, but it is accompanied by cuts to other associated benefits and payments, writes Dita De Boni

The Government recognised in last week's Budget that the gap between market and benefit incomes has become too wide.