Latest from Social Issues

Flu warning as cases fall

It's been one of the mildest flu seasons in 20 years, but the young, elderly and Pacific Island and Maori people are still at serious risk from the flu.

Dutch divided over black and white Christmas

The Dutch equivalent of Santa Claus arrived in the Netherlands on Saturday to the delight of thousands of children.

CYF caregiver falsely accused

A CYF caregiver has been humiliated after the organisation wrongly suggested she was being investigated for abuse of a child in her care.

Susan St John: Australian welfare shows the way

Rent rises make low-income groups worse off - survey

Rent increases have made all low-income groups in Auckland except superannuitants worse off in real terms than they were five years ago, according to the Salvation Army.

Editorial: Living wage could miss its family target

Editorial: Mayor Len Brown's pursuit of a policy that would see the Auckland Council pay the "living wage" to its staff has drawn a variety of objections.

Emily Keddell: When carrots are actually sticks

Our minimum wage is so low about 40 per cent of children living in poverty are not living in beneficiary families, but have low-wage-earning parents, writes Emily Keddell.

Brian Rudman: Living wage the only decent option

There's something rather heart-warming about the growing popularity of the "living wage" movement, writes Brian Rudman. Despite three decades of market economic indoctrination, NZ's underlying sense of fairness and decency remains intact.

13,000 parents' benefits cut

Almost 13,000 parents with dependent children have had their benefits cut for failing work tests in the first 2 years after sole parents first had to look for work.

Net migrant inflow at 10-year high

Jump in arrivals will put further pressure on Auckland and Christchurch housing stocks, says economist.

Bosses urged to give young a go

Chamber of Commerce is offering youngsters a road to a job through pilot pre-employment course.

Sick teens 'pay it forward'

Auctioning off domestic chores and starting an online donation site has helped two Auckland teens "pay it forward" to a charity that is taking them on the trip of a lifetime.

Editorial: Overhaul of burial law not needed

Editorial: A review of burial laws by the Law Commission has led to drastic and largely unnecessary recommendations.

NZ diplomat to assist gay Kiwi athletes at Winter Olympics

Cutbacks after veterans' home sold spark inquiry

A trust that sold off a 100-year lease of Auckland's historic Ranfurly veterans' home has called in an outside expert to review the quality of care the veterans are now receiving.

Anglicans in clear over gay-man case

A New Zealand church has been let off the hook for forbidding a gay man from becoming a priest.