New Zealand First MP Richard Prosser has spoken out in defence of his "Wogistan" rant which has been slammed as racist by Muslim leaders and politicians.

Almost 750,000 Kiwis look set to be classed as the new working poor when the union movement fixes the value of a "living wage" needed to have a decent life here.

When Chris Kyle returned home from Iraq after serving as a Navy Seal, he felt disconnected, unable to talk about his experiences.

I have a real fear that the rivers of grog that wreaked such havoc among indigenous communities are starting to flow once again.

The number of students being stood down for bad behaviour is at its lowest point for more than a decade.

An East Coast man on the dole for 25 years is the longest unemployment beneficiary in the country and has been paid more than $260,000 in taxpayer money.

After two days of frantic debate on cats in New Zealand it is worth paw-sing for a moment of reflection, writes Gareth Morgan.

Far be it for me to definitively diagnose Zac Guildford from afar, writes Chris Rattue, but a string of alcohol-related incidents indicate the young All Black has a serious problem with the firewater.

I am writing this lying in bed and staring out at the Hokianga Harbour in the Far North.

The number of sole parents on the domestic purposes benefit dropped by 5000 last year - a drop Social Development Minister Paula Bennett is attributing partly to her new policy requiring sole parents to get jobs when their youngest child turns five.

Vowing to "put everything into this", President Barack Obama has unveiled the most sweeping proposals in 20 years to tighten gun control in the United States.

Young New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders in Australia are turning to crime as they become trapped in a cycle of poverty and despair.

Editorial: A large number do not understand the consequences of not finding a job. They leave for Australia without realising they will not have access to most of that country's welfare safety net, including dole and disability payments.

A South Auckland woman watched in amazement as a couple burgled her neighbour's home while a young child sat waiting in their getaway car.

Are we still a nation of people who can catch a fish, roll up our sleeves and fix something broken or cook a leg of lamb?

Two earthquakes, the end of his marriage and loss of his recording studio later, the 30-year-old sound engineer identifies himself as Maori.

New Zealand has been ranked one of the world's best countries to be born in this year. Researchers named New Zealand the seventh most lucky nation in which to start life.

Pensioners are holding out in a dwindling minority opposing gay marriage - as 2013 looks possibly to be the year for it to become reality.

For more than three months he remained an unknown young African whose fatal decision to seek a better life in Europe ended with an 800m drop.

A gifted academic who grew up in Karori has died suddenly in London, devastating her family.

A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

The highlights of my year according to Facebook bear very little resemblance to the reality of what 2012 has been like.

Paying it forward - a popular expression for extending generosity to others after someone has been generous to you.