Many unsavoury events that have occurred in New Zealand over the past few decades can be attributed to our faith that free markets, writes Peter Lyons.

As a teenager, there is a huge pressure to accept the cool pragmatism of "this is how it is" when it comes to binge drinking, writes Verity Johnson.

Minister rejects 'nanny state' intervention as health survey shows NZ is getting fatter, with three in every 10 adults now regarded as obese.

Our house prices are high, our wages are low - so why is the world coming home to New Zealand?

A return to South Africa triggers deep thoughts - can one person have two homelands?

The Prime Minister's reaction to the latest survey of child poverty was predictable but misguided. It is not just about jobs.

In a UK first, shoppers in South Yorkshire are being offered food at up to 70 per cent of normal prices - but they have to prove they're on benefits to get the bargains.

Almost three-quarters of the depressed Kiwis who have gone to Sir John Kirwan's website depression.org.nz are no longer depressed after finishing the six lessons.

A new report on child poverty in New Zealand has been applauded by groups who have criticised the Government for failing to thoroughly monitor the issue itself.

Children's Commissioner Dr Russell Wills wants Kiwis to shift support from older, middle-income families to give more to our youngest and poorest children.

In the eyes of the law, he is a criminal. But to many he is a hero, dubbed the "Robin Hood" of their struggling community.

Extended paid parental leave and a mandatory rental housing "warrant of fitness" are close to winning majority backing, a survey of MPs has found.

The United Nations children's fund Unicef says children should have a say when they are adopted and when their parents separate.

An empty holiday season can hold painful memories of partners lost and families gone, writes Russell Hoban.

Our latest batch of citizens are embracing the multicultural nature of the country they now call home.

Being a mother sometimes feels like I'm carrying a donkey, writes Deborah Hill Cone.

Here are a sample of readers' emails in response to our series on rest homes.

The Human Rights Commission is calling for a star-rating system that would expose poorly performing rest homes to help families avoid them.

A former rest home manager is calling for better care for the elderly after her father was "starved of food and fluid" in a Whakatane centre.

A rest home company which was overcharging some residents is about to have its district health board contract terminated.

At 92 this year, Connie Bythell has had a full life. She grew up in Blenheim, worked as a teacher, went to India as a missionary, then worked in her home church until retiring at 70.

Editorial: Documents for public consumption should be written succinctly and in plain English. Their value is much reduced if this is not done.

You've got to look, listen - and sniff - when choosing a rest home for yourself or your elderly mother or father, experts advise.

If people feel they are being treated as disposable units of labour then outcomes will suffer, writes Peter Lyons. This may help explain why the growth in labour productivity in NZ over the past few decades has been less than spectacular.

Moving in with nine flatmates takes a bit of getting used to when you're 73, says Alison Glen.

At 95, Lilian Robinson is blazing a new path for older Kiwis who want to stay out of rest homes.

Caregivers do tasks few could stomach, often for minimal wages, report Simon Collins and Martin Johnston.