Budgeting agencies are "in shock" after a radical shakeup which has ended state funding for a third of all previously funded budget

COMMENT: Recent cases indicate violence between and against children is widely accepted.

A youth was shot directly outside her gate, but Housing New Zealand would not find her and her three young children a new home.

Teens were unlawfully detained for weeks on end in the seclusion wing of a youth justice facility run by Child Youth and Family, according to its own senior staff.

Minister Anne Tolley says the UN Rights of the Child committee in Geneva asked her 250 questions but only one on child poverty.

With gangs deeply ingrained in Hawke's Bay, a new government initiative to steer youth away from them could provide lasting benefit

Vulnerable children will be placed in foster care more quickly, and their foster parents will get more flexible pay, under law changes outlined today.

COMMENT: The rewrite of the Social Security Act is a good time to abolish the sanctions altogether.

Housing NZ has bought a motel to help meet the area's housing shortage - but the existing residents will have to move out to make room for the homeless.

A convicted fraudster and "bachelorette" who hoped to steal Art Green's heart has admitted ripping off taxpayers for more than $20,000.

A new study by Victoria University student Alicia Sudden says Work and Income is pushing many beneficiaries into jobs that don't last.

Beneficiaries received more than $120 million in advance benefit payments last year for essential costs such as schooling and health care.

The Ministry of Health has defended its stance on refusing to fund a Maori safe-sleeping device.

At least 2 per cent of Housing New Zealand tenants are not eligible to live in a state house.

Unemployment benefit rolls have dropped to a seven-year low in Auckland, but are now rising again in 10 of New Zealand's 14 other regions.

A highly regarded Pacific anti-violence agency has been closed down amidst concerns about using taxpayers' money to fund an ambition to "go global".

Hidden homelessness campaigners are scratching out messages of housing desperation the old-school way.

Fixing child abuse and neglect is all about building relationships with families in need, social workers say.

A bouncer who was told she was "worthless" and threatened with gang action from two WINZ workers says dealing with verbally abusive customers has become commonplace.

But bar owner says the two Ministry of Social Development workers who abused his staff won't be welcome back.

Better sharing of information between state agencies may have prevented the death of a child in a poorly-maintained state house, says Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

A man abused as a ward of the state 25 years ago is incensed about the $12,000 compensation offer made to him, saying it feels 'like a kick in the guts'.

Tupua Urlich was just 17 when the state ended its care for him.

A spend of more than $360,000 on pay television subscriptions by Government departments has been criticised by Labour.

Some agencies are expected to close in a radical revamp of social service funding unveiled by Social Development Minister Anne Tolley.

An extra 3000 tenants will be entitled to the income-related rent subsidy under changes outlined in the Budget.

The income gap between children and the elderly has widened faster in New Zealand than in other developed countries during the recent recession, a new report shows.

More than 860 victims who were abused while in state care have been given the option of a fast-track settlement.