Latest from Ministry of Social Development

500 homes 'gathering dust' during housing crisis

"We had been steadily expanding the stock and we just had to stop," one group said.

'Tired, cross' Tolley told family, staff about Peters' pension overpayments

Tolley says she regrets telling sister confidential info: "I was tired and I was cross."

Winston Peters says welfare staff 'covering their butts'

Winston Peters tells court that partner Jan Trotman was with him at crucial meeting.

Winston Peters in the witness stand in privacy case

Deputy PM Winston Peters is in the witness stand in the High Court today.

'It was a crime factory': Career criminal Arthur Taylor on being in state care

Arthur Taylor will tell his story at tomorrow's Royal Commission of Inquiry hearing

Poverty 'crisis': New figures show demand for food, housing

Record numbers of people are asking for help to pay for their food and accommodation.

Winston Peters presses on with lawsuit against National as details emerge

Peters says the case is a matter of protecting privacy.

Ani's story: Inside New Zealand's unending state house crisis

More families are struggling to afford a place to live. But the state safety net is gone.

Archives NZ privacy hole known for years and not fixed

Archives NZ privacy hole known for years but left open for the Herald to walk through.

Whistleblower says Archives NZ privacy breach known for years

Investigation: Files were public for years and the government knew, says whistleblower.

Stranger 'angel' helps homeless family at supermarket

Grateful family 'overwhelmed and speechless' at generosity.

'At heart, you're a dishonest woman': Fraudster mum at it again

"Your offending was calculated. It was premeditated. It was repeated and repeated."

Ministry apology: Mum of severely disabled daughter denied aid

"I've given up my entire life and marriage to care for her at home," says angry mum.

Rents 'skyrocket' while millions is spent on emergency housing

Millions of dollars is being spent on emergency housing as Rotorua rents skyrocket.

'Evil' pension policy to be abolished

Pensioners have been waiting a long time for the spousal deduction policy to be dropped.

Parnell problems: 'Fighting, drinking, abusive' deportees causing 'havoc'

Deportees and troubled souls housed at a Parnell lodge are causing 'havoc' for residents