A hunger striker on his 27th day without food has written an open letter to Social Development Minister Paula Bennett pleading with her to stop "stalling policies" on food grants.

Food programmes for hungry Kiwi schoolchildren may soon get a boost from the Government to top off an overwhelming public response to recent media appeals.

As Wellington tries to find creative solutions to its housing problem, city residents are being called on to offer their spare rooms to the homeless.

Disabled hunger striker Sam Kuha is hoping to meet Social Development Minister Paula Bennett in Auckland tomorrow.

Good teachers matter, but the problem with conflating education and poverty is that the focus can narrow unhelpfully on one piece of the puzzle, writes Tapu Misa.

Gareth Morgan says the Social Security Amendment Bill could be the "most irrelevant sideshow" in the circus that is tighter targeting of social benefits.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has admitted the Government does not have the resources to test all beneficiaries under tough new welfare reforms.

Teens among the first "guinea pigs" for a new money management system for welfare say they get enough for food - but not for transport, baby supplies and medical costs.

A quarter of primary and intermediate pupils in poorer Waikato areas go to school hungry, researchers have found.

The bill pushing ahead with the Government's second wave of welfare reforms passed its first reading in Parliament today.

A disgruntled disabled Work and Income client allegedly smashed two windows at the department's Kaikohe office with a hammer.

The Government's latest welfare reforms will help get people out of the "trap" of benefit dependency, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett says.

Second bill in welfare reform cancels payments for those who refuse offer of 'suitable' job.

Legislation introducing an "investment approach'' to welfare has been signed off by the Cabinet and will go before a select committee after its first reading in Parliament.

Dr Andrew Cardow says Paula Bennett appears to be working under the belief that beneficiaries do not have the wherewithal to decide what is best for their children.

Editorial: Early education has not been a priority for this Government. But having made it compulsory for beneficiaries National will find it hard to argue against wider compulsion.

The Finance Minister denies the Government will use a $78 billion valuation of the lifelong cost of benefits as an excuse to get the public to buy into a harder line on welfare.

Early childhood experts are in shock after a government decision to make education compulsory from the age of 3 for children of welfare beneficiaries.

Editorial: A simple breakfast is not much to ask and should be provided for all children who need it. But if it is to be public funded, the food should be distributed by agencies that know a community.

Drug testing of beneficiaries comes in next year, with penalties for those who fail. What's your view on the government's policy?