A former All Black too drunk for a breath test suffers fractures to his face in a fight after a crash.

While the number of people on benefits is rising, there are positive signs, says Social Development Minister Paula Bennett.

Transport Minister Steven Joyce hints at tougher drink-driving laws, describing existing alcohol limits for drivers as "ridiculous".

Facebook may give your brian a good workout claim scientists.

Bristol City Council asks its constituents to answer a referendum on whether graffiti in the city should stay - or be removed.

Police are prosecuting a company for allegedly supplying alcohol to minors at school after-balls.

A detective with personal links to Kristin Dunne-Powell should not have worked on the Tony Veitch investigation, according an official report.

Gunmen broke into a drug rehabilitation centre, lined people against a wall and shot 17 dead in Mexico. Photo / AP

Britain has the biggest drink problem among 13-year-olds in the Western world, according to a major study on child wellbeing published today.

Two young brothers are facing life in custody for beating, burning and sexually assaulting two boys aged nine and 11 reports Sky News.

Licensing tobacco retailers and turning cigarette packs into plain packages bearing only health warnings is among five new proposals to reduce smoking.

A study indicates 70 per cent of parents who abuse their children were abused themselves.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia and Labour's Annette King are calling for action over a report slamming New Zealand's treatment of children.

Rangitoto College's decision to ban future school balls draws a strong response from nzherald.co.nz readers.

Rangitoto College "blackmailed" and "bullied" students for knowledge of planned after-balls, parents say.