A $218 million prison development towering over Auckland's Southern Motorway has horrified residents, principals and community leaders.

Paula Bennett has attacked the integrity of a solo mother who is asking for $15,000 to settle a privacy complaint against the minister.

Bill English says his Budget will leave the gap between rich and poor "about the same".

Tapu Misa writes that the growing divide between rich and poor makes solidarity and a sense of community more difficult.

Anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune, imprisoned in Japan, believes he will be found guilty and fears a lengthy jail sentence.

When two brothers come to inhabit the same high-profile worlds - in politics, sport, media or music - it is hard not to wonder how they stay neutral.

The number of known leaking schools is now 145, double the estimate in September last year. The worst will benefit from $82 million allocated in the Budget for remedial work in the next year.

Brent Sheather: Financial adviser commissions must be banned ...