Latest fromSocial Issues

Toddler's accused attacker in court
A 27-year-old Tongan man made a brief appearance in North Shore District Court this morning accused of attacking a toddler.

Police charge US woman with assisting NZer's suicide
Police have charged a US citizen with assisting the 2007 suicide of Auckland woman Audrey Wallis.

Man charged with assault after child hospitalised
Police have charged a man with assault as a 2-year-old girl fights for her life in hospital.

Chief families commissioner resigns
Jan Pryor has resigned as Chief Families Commissioner, Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced this morning.

Attorney-General: Welfare changes in breach
Work testing sole parents on the DPB is an unjustifiable breach of human rights, Attorney-General Chris Finlayson told Parliament today.

Air NZ apologises over claim on Tongan drinking
Air NZ apologises for a crew manual which suggested flight attendants watch Tongans who wanted to "drink the bar dry".

Liquor store widow calls for gun ban
A shop assistant was held at gunpoint last night - prompting the widow of a slain liquor store owner to call for imitation firearms to be banned from sale.

<i>Bernard Moran:</i> Is abortion in patient's best interest?
Bernard Moran writes on questions hanging over the proposed guidelines on terminations.

Britain set to ban NZ's new killer party drug
A drug thought to be used by Kiwis as a substitute for ecstasy could be banned in Britain after being linked to two deaths.

Consumer confidence dips
Consumer confidence dipped slightly in the March quarter, according to new research.

Twelve arrested in drugs busts
Twelve people will face drugs charges after heavily armed police raided Tauranga properties over the past four days.

5-year-old sex offender on crime list
A 5-year-old and two 6-year-old boys were apprehended by police for sexual assault last year.