Latest from Social Issues

Skinny mannequin slammed

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

Editorial: Voters should have been told of reform

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.

Deborah Hill Cone: If I had got brave mother's message years ago

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.

Matt Heath: Work-life balance means longer lunch

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.

Church defies same-sex marriage decree

Appeal strikes chord with pianist

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

Housing role split part of reshuffle

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....

Bob Jones: Poseurs take us all for suckers

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

Claim of conflict of interest on gambling fund panel

Fran O'Sullivan: Five issues for business to ponder

Five things for business to take on board while John Key relishes his victory and forms his next Government.

Dita De Boni: Family violence, the absent issue

The country has had six years of being run like a very large company, and tomorrow is the referendum on whether most people feel that's the right way to go about building prosperity, or doomed to stunt us as a nation.

Peter Calder: An open letter to our leaders

Dear John and David. Please forgive the first-name familiarity. I'm older than you are so it doesn't feel terribly out of order.

Charity comes full circle with Japha award

A Colombian couple have started a social enterprise with disadvantaged New Zealanders as a way to thank this country for two Kiwi missionaries who devoted their lives to Colombia.

Matt Heath: Sneaky little vice proves costly and humiliating

Matt Heath writes: Soon parents will get in as much trouble for putting sugar in their coffee as I did for a tasty little cigarette.

Deborah Hill Cone: The depressed person's guide to politics

Deborah Hilll Cone writes: I'm neither right-wing nor left-wing: I just believe in rigour. Fair dooz? But this election I'm depressed and unimpressed.

When harmless fun turns deadly

Pranks can be fun and cause some great laughs at the time - but they can also go horribly wrong and end in serious or harmul consequences.