Latest from Social Issues

Racially abusive cop quits force

A police officer who racially abused a taxi driver in Queenstown last year has resigned.

Huge need, but where's the donations?

The queues start about 3am each day, but the Auckland City Mission says just a third of the donations it needs this Christmas have been raised.

Kids all ears in the hot seat

Wriggling toddlers will meet their match when Kidz First Clendon Community Clinic nurses get the best seat in the house.

Sports hit back at ad rule proposals

The All Blacks, Warriors and the Black Caps say proposed changes to alcohol sponsorship and advertising would threaten the sustainability of their codes at nearly every level.

Call for ban on alcohol advertising

The Government has been told to end alcohol sponsorship of sports clubs and ban any alcohol advertising during televised matches by a ministerial forum.

Catherine Delahunty: Maori representation no threat to open democracy

Catherine Delahunty writes: Gareth Morgan has many interesting opinions and is well informed but his opinion piece on Maori representation on local councils requires a response.

Ex-principal canes slack teachers

Some teachers need to get over their victim mentality and recognise the benefit of cutting their holiday time, a leading principal says.

Labour MP drops euthanasia bill

A bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been dropped by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway at the request of his leader Andrew Little.

Foster care teens' efforts win awards

Nineteen youths with unsettled upbringings were honoured for their outstanding achievements at a special ceremony yesterday.

Lucy Lawless: Face to face with society's dark side

"I only do boys - so what's the problem?", asked the sex offender denied the chance to meet his daughter. Lucy Lawless came face to face with him.

Commission's rebrand really Gauls

The Families Commission is rebranding today taking a name which almost identical to that of a French supermarket chain.

Editorial: Obama's plan deserves sensible reply

President Obama's executive order would spare from deportation five million immigrants who have lived illegally in the US for at least five years and have children who are citizens.

Call for religious tolerance lessons in schools

The danger of growing up black

Black America has again been reminded that its children are not seen as worthy of being alive - in part because they are not seen as children at all, but as threats to white lives.

Patricia Greig: Ferguson just latest incident in vicious circle of violence

Glenn report - judges need to be inquisitors on family violence cases

Sir Owen Glenn's report also recommends tough new alcohol laws, including higher taxes and raising the legal drinking age to 20, plus a new dedicated family violence agency.