A new UK government study on harsh punishments for recreational drug use underlines how wrong-headed NZ parliamentarians were, writes Brian Rudman.

Thirteen thousand kilometres from Rotorua, orphans in Kenya are plieing in leotards from the Geyser City.

Young aspiring Auckland house-buyers are not spendthrifts frittering their money on weekend entertainment but victims of an over-priced real estate sector, says an economist.

The chief executive of Apple has spoken of his pride in being gay, calling it "among the greatest gifts God has given me".

Child poverty rates in New Zealand are "stagnating", having barely changed since 2008, an international report by UNICEF says.

Yesterday the Court of Appeal decided the act meant something more: that women have the right to be paid the same as men doing a different job if the work is comparable.

Students accused of a "hazing" incident at King's College are likely to find out their punishment tomorrow.

The market has proven itself absolutely useless at housing the poor, the mentally ill, and the elderly - and anyone else who hasn't got $50k in the bank, writes Dita De Boni.

A fund that lends money to women interest-free is in the unexpected position of not having enough borrowers.

Mary Barry is a tiny voice in a battle over the future of Auckland, fought between powerful developers with expensive lawyers and volunteer community organisations.

Why make leaving harder than it has to be? People are thrilled that you showed up, but no one really cares that you’re leaving.

New Zealand's roll call of sole parents on benefits has dropped again - this time to the lowest level in a quarter-century.

A recent cartoon shows a couple arriving at a dinner party. One of them hands the host a small box with the explanation, "We didn't bring a bottle; we got you these tablets for mild alcoholism instead".

A leading fashion designer's comment that clothes "look better on skinny people" could place undue pressure on women, a psychotherapist says.

Like barristers, I hand write everything: it enables clearer expression. It's a life-long habit which I enjoy in a tactile sense.

Catriona MacLennan writes: Low family incomes and high rents are the two key sources of poverty for my legal clients. The third is huge debt associated with car purchases.

Lesley Elliott's received the Westpac Women of Influence Supreme Award - I wish I'd got her message when I was a teenager in schooll, writes Deborah Hill Cone.

There's a lot of talk these days about the work/life balance and for many, smartphones and cloud technology could mean the end of the all day job, writes Matt Heath.

A carve-up of the housing portfolio in the new Cabinet has alerted the country to a radical reform the Government has in mind for state housing.

An eating disorders expert has slammed the use of a skinny mannequin at clothing store Glassons, which sparked controversy because its ribs are showing.

A pianist who was homeless in Hollywood for a year and a half says he never lacked for company on the streets.

Prime Minister John Key has split housing issues across three ministers as National speeds up its shift toward developing social housing by private providers and reducing reliance on state....

In the 1950s a Wellington student, later to become an accounting profession stalwart, paid his way through university via newspaper advertisements, writes Bob Jones.

Matt Heath writes: Why do my sons spend most of their time pretending to kill people? Are they just tiger cubs learning to look after themselves or have I raised psychopaths?

The number of people seeking help for gambling problems has hit an all-time high but that is being hailed as a sign that those in need are better accessing services.