An East Coast man on the dole for 25 years is the longest unemployment beneficiary in the country and has been paid more than $260,000 in taxpayer money.

After two days of frantic debate on cats in New Zealand it is worth paw-sing for a moment of reflection, writes Gareth Morgan.

We need to broaden the criteria against which we measure the progress of Government, writes Mai Chen, to include those non-material things, like happiness and equity.

Far be it for me to definitively diagnose Zac Guildford from afar, writes Chris Rattue, but a string of alcohol-related incidents indicate the young All Black has a serious problem with the firewater.

I am writing this lying in bed and staring out at the Hokianga Harbour in the Far North.

Young New Zealanders and Pacific Islanders in Australia are turning to crime as they become trapped in a cycle of poverty and despair.

Editorial: A large number do not understand the consequences of not finding a job. They leave for Australia without realising they will not have access to most of that country's welfare safety net, including dole and disability payments.

A South Auckland woman watched in amazement as a couple burgled her neighbour's home while a young child sat waiting in their getaway car.

An ever-increasing number of Kiwis are eyeing a move to Australia despite the lack of access to safety nets.

A love story that began at a murder trial drew to a poignant close this week.

Are we still a nation of people who can catch a fish, roll up our sleeves and fix something broken or cook a leg of lamb?

Two earthquakes, the end of his marriage and loss of his recording studio later, the 30-year-old sound engineer identifies himself as Maori.

New Zealand has been ranked one of the world's best countries to be born in this year. Researchers named New Zealand the seventh most lucky nation in which to start life.

A gifted academic who grew up in Karori has died suddenly in London, devastating her family.

A Christmas story from an associate, who was in a Salvation Army op shop when a family - mum, dad, and three children - stopped by to drop off a new bike.

The highlights of my year according to Facebook bear very little resemblance to the reality of what 2012 has been like.

Early on the morning of May 12, 8-year-old Michelle O'Brien showed humanity, kindness, and selfless bravery when faced with the unthinkable.

Paying it forward - a popular expression for extending generosity to others after someone has been generous to you.

The wedding was a joyful affair, with 300 guests, traditional Serbian dancing and two dozen motorbikes bedecked with red, white and blue streamers.

Fuelled by the highest rate of unemployment in 13 years, the queues snaking along the pavements outside the Auckland City Mission have nothing festive about them.

Parents around the country should be given consistent advice about safe sleeping practices with their newborns.

This country offers me beaches and mountains and lakes to explore, with good roads and an adequate car, writes Peter Durney. Many people cannot even aspire to owning a car.

Editorial: The Nga Tangata Microfinance Trust in South Auckland seems to be providing a less businesslike but no less welcome solution for some of the indebted poor in this country.