Homeless families like first-time mum Lydia Mataiti and her newborn baby will find it harder to find shelter after the closure of one of Auckland's handful of emergency houses.

North Korea's leader, Kim Jong Un, was warned that he could face prosecution for crimes against humanity after a United Nations inquiry accused him of human rights abuses.

Treating gambling addicts who commit crimes would be much cheaper than jailing them, and would reduce reoffending, says a New York judge.

Eleven employers have been accredited as the country's first living wage employers - among them, former Cabinet minister turned restaurateur, Laila Harre.

The controversial Neknomination craze has reportedly led to the death of another young British man, after a rugby player mixed two pints of gin with teabags and said to the camera: "This is how you drink."

Twenty-two families who have mostly been doubling up with relatives in overcrowded homes finally have room to breathe in a new housing project opened by a Tongan princess in Mangere.

The mother of tortured Rotorua three-year-old Nia Glassie will be released from prison after being granted parole.

Simon Collins takes a look at the 'state of our nation' report, a stock-take of New Zealand's social trends.

Taxpayers have spent nearly $30 million targeting vandalism at schools in the past two years, while thieves have made off with items such as plastic guttering and wooden seats.

'We told him no, it's pretty much suicide.' A young dad ended up in hospital after downing an entire bottle of absinthe in the 'neknominate' booze craze.

A breakdown of results from the latest census shows how Aucklanders are more religious, smoke less ... and they're well behind Nelson for divorces.

Labour's leader was trying to get his sales pitch for new childhood policies back on track yesterday, but continued to take flak for exaggerating the baby bonus.

Labour's push for universal welfare will not resonate widely. People earning $150,000 and, indeed, much less, simply do not need a baby bonus.

'We've been absolutely clear in all the materials.' David Cunliffe has defended against accusations he mislead the public over his $60 baby bonus.

We challenged two families with young children on their views about Labour's plan to give an extra $60 a week for new babies. Their reactions were quite different.

Prime Minister John Key has accused Labour leader David Cunliffe of "misleading New Zealanders" over the $60-a-week child payment scheme.

Labour's $60-a-week child payment scheme may produce less work and more babies, economists say.

This election year there will be claim and counter-claim from National and Labour about whether the recovering economy is a rising tide that will lift all boats.

Chinese businessman who arrived as a boy in 1939 can look back on 75 years of fruitful life in NZ as a proud Kiwi.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is naturally happy to attribute a big reduction in the state's welfare liability to the Government's efforts.

Padded bikini tops for pre-teen girls are being taken off the shelves after a furious child welfare advocate intervened.

The combined wealth of the 85 richest people in the world is the same as the combined wealth of the world's poorest 3.5 billion, writes Toby Manhire.

Otara teenager Sipa Deidoe had never been inside a theatre until he came into the Aotea Centre for a first meeting about a new arts project late last year.

There was one small break in protocol this morning at a major gathering of parliamentary speakers from around the world. And it was by an Aussie in red shoes.

Advocates are upset an Australian company is the big winner in Winz experiment that will pay contractors up to $12k to help beneficiaries into paid work.

Speakers from around the world will be welcomed at Parliament today in a huge powhiri - but there won't be any women in the front row,

I'm at the library. I haven't been at the library in years. But I'm told libraries are quiet places and I need a bit of quiet , writes Danielle Murray.

New Zealanders are proud of their landscape and people but acknowledge the Kiwi lifestyle comes at a cost, research shows.

Friendliness and a can-do attitude top a list of traits that New Zealanders think reflect our national identity.