Good policies require good information, not prejudices and ill-informed judgments expressed from the sideline, writes Michael O'Brien.

After motorbiking round the world and saving Happy Feet, economist Gareth Morgan wants to revolutionise our tax and welfare system. Andrew Laxon asks him why.

Why is the idea of helping poor children so difficult to sell in a country with a supposed 'socialist streak'?

The causes of increased poverty, and the growth of school food programmes go back to National's big benefit cuts of 1991.

One of the world's biggest reinsurers estimated today that last week's Christchurch earthquake would cost insurers between $8.1 billion and $16b.

Wealthy parents receiving money from Working for Families look set to lose the funding as the Govt looks to find financial relief for the Christchurch quake.

Children are bearing the brunt of the economic recession, with around 2000 more kids admitted to hospital last year compared to 2007, according to a report compiled by the Children's Social Health Monitor.

Critics say the entry cost of $2295 plus GST for the two-day Child Poverty NZ Summit in October is far too expensive for most frontline workers.