Police have charged a 22-year-old mother in relation to an alleged child abandonment incident this morning.

Police are speaking to the mother of two young children found home alone early today, surrounded by alcohol cans and a condom.

All five people in the car had been drinking and the driver said she lost control after being distracted by a passenger.

The Air Force may come under pressure to restrict drinking hours at its canteens amid concern about its drinking culture.

A drunk Auckland high school pupil was taken to hospital after falling over and knocking his head in a physical education class.

In what could be a first for NZ, a council is looking to sell subsidised cloth nappies from its front desk.

Dita De Boni on how the welfare reforms might impact solo parents.

The Government has stepped in with an emergency wage subsidy for quake-stricken workers who aren't being paid.

In western nations, fewer people than ever are getting married, yet studies show that tying the knot will make you happier.

Super City mayoral contender John Banks is facing heat over his liquor policy on top of revelations that his son Alex was among those who "egged on" a schoolmate who died after binge-drinking.

The parents of a teen believed to have supplied the vodka involved in King's College student James Webster's binge-drinking death have been labelled "bankrupt of any morality".

Auckland mayor John Banks' son was among a group of young people who "egged on" schoolmate James Webster to keep drinking.

A 16-year-old who died of alcohol poisoning earlier this year was reportedly egged on to drink by the son of Auckland Mayor John Banks.

Dita De Boni on why she supports calls to allow IVF egg donors to be paid.