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.

Hundreds of people black and white, many holding hands, filled an Alabama church that was bombed by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan 50 years ago.

About 60,000 Grey Power members will get up to 10 per cent off their power bills if they sign up to a new joint venture.

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.

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.

Crusading doco-maker Bryan Bruce returns to TV screens this week to claim that New Zealand's middle class is subsidising the rich and the poor through a terrible tax burden.

Blake Skjellerup believes an All Black may have to declare his homosexuality before New Zealanders can fully stifle prejudice towards gay sportspeople.

Many are being subjected to horrendous abuse, threats and bullying while using the social networking site Ask.fm.

The head of New Zealand's third-largest church has asked its ministers to consider a temporary ban on gay marriages to preserve the church's "peace and unity".

Drivers of high-end vehicles are ruder than those who drive old bangers, according to a study.

Some of New Zealand's last surviving World War II veterans have joined a protest against plans by the new managers of Auckland's Ranfurly home to slash their caregivers' wages.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett often stands accused of taking a hard line on matters within her purview.

New measures to protect children from abusers are stronger and sharper than previous tepid responses.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she will need some convincing over sweeping changes made in an effort to stop child abuse and death in New Zealand.

New rules for KiwiSaver subsidies to help people buy their first homes will help middle-class couples but will knock out lower-income families.

Wide-ranging restraining orders will soon be in use to keep suspected child abusers away from children for up to 10 years.

Disability advocates have warned the Government it could take years to regain their trust

House price inflation creates no new output and few jobs. It consigns young first-home buyers to a life of debt servitude, writes Peter Lyons.