NZ should hope John Key shows some common sense - tempered with heart - when he goes about trying to reduce from 328,000 the number of Kiwis on solo parent, sickness and invalid benefits, writes Fran O'Sullivan.

'Friendship bullying' is rife among female high school students with nearly half of Kiwi girls saying they have been bullied by their mates.

NZNTM winner Danielle Hayes has appeared in a topless photo shoot, prompting both compliments and condemnation.

A 17-year-old Pakuranga man will appear in court tomorrow to face charges in connection with the death of an 18-year-old.

A distraught teenager who tried in vain to save the life of his stabbed friend has told how police had to drag him away from the body. Dillon Meagher did a CPR course last month but hadn't learnt about treating multiple stab wounds.