The four most physically descriptive English words are sick, dead, drunk and fat.

A third of people are unemployed, fear losing their job or are in temporary work.

Children's Lego house competition puts focus on Habitat homes for needy families.

With Ten Guitars ringing in her ears a veteran publican recalls the six o'clock swill and drinkers' cunning lurks.

Being able to get one up on potential burglars is a good feeling, says Evan Lockington, a resident of Viscount St, Mangere.

Reduced growth figures suggest revision of Auckland's infrastructure plans needed, claims Statistics Minister.

New Zealand ranks seventh among 91 countries for its quality of life and wellbeing for older people, says the first Global AgeWatch Index.

Latest figures from the Ministry of Justice record another drop in the number of young people sentenced for crimes in the year to June.

Gaming trusts would be forced to return more pokie machine profits to sports teams and community groups under proposed gambling reforms.

In the light of the latest step by churchgoers in Auckland to further align their money with their values, all investors are being challenged to think.

Disgraced former employers' boss Alasdair Thompson has switched sides and is speaking up for raising the minimum wage to $18.40 an hour.

Wellington's Anglican bishop says he may cut his own salary to help fund a "living wage" for cleaners, caregivers and other low-paid workers.

Why can't an independent body fairly decide what a job should be paid? Or at least set a base living wage which people can actually live on, asks Brian Rudman.

At the 75th anniversary of social security, the system needs improvements, writes Margaret McClure.

As the Minister of Education who was responsible for the introduction of the national curriculum, I was very interested to read the article by Elizabeth Rata.

Former gang member-turned-youth mentor wants to help his community as a councillor.

Hairdressers are the new front line in a campaign to strengthen "natural helpers" for suicide risks.

Almost half of all women and a third of men earn less than $18.40 an hour - a rate which two Labour Party leadership contenders have promised to implement as a "living wage" in the state sector if they win power.

A "living wage", for Ofa and Ngalu Tauerangi, would mean the chance to get a good night's sleep.

Youth are finding the story they were told about hard work is not quite true, writes Cathy Bi.

A delay in getting at-risk youth back into education can have life-long consequences, education experts say.

A teen has been left in limbo without education for 305 school days as new figures spark concerns that at-risk pupils are falling through the cracks.

Overbearing parents whose children are repeatedly bullied may be part of the problem, with new research showing kids miss out on social skills when parents are too protective.

In the lead-up to the elections, the Herald will examine all of the Super City's 13 wards, analysing the big issues and contests.

The first two Thai couples to book same-sex marriages in NZ have had to battle to get visitor permits from immigration officials who appear to have been suspicious about their 30-year age gaps.

A gay and lesbian support group in one of our most conservative institutions - the military - has won the supreme award in this year's Equal Employment Opportunities Trust diversity awards.

Once a blip on the national sports scene, baseball has grown its player base to about 6000. And its emergence has been funded entirely with gambling money.

Alicia sobs as she recalls the moment she realised her life had to change. She was spending up to 20 hours a week at the pokies, losing between $300 and $400.