Latest from Social Issues

Sue Bradford: Hikoi for Homes - time for action on housing

Tough allocation criteria make it near-impossible for most people to even get on the state house waiting lists. The private rental market is a tough place to enter when you're down and out, writes Sue Bradford.

Darren Powell: Anti-obesity scare tactics 'do more harm than good'

This advertising campaign will just add to the growing concerns that children already have about their appearance, weight, eating, exercise and health, writes Dr Darren Powell.

Six rules for 'Happy Facebooking'

As research discovers Facebook can increase feelings of sadness, Rachel Halliwell explains how she found the social media sweet spot.

Pay talks vulgar for Kate Winslet

Complaining publicly about the Hollywood gender pay gap is "a bit vulgar", Kate Winslet says.

Women face battle for equality

A stocktake on women's place in New Zealand says many women are still treated as "second-class citizens".

Another headscarf job dispute

A second Auckland woman has found her job prospects limited because she wears a Muslim headscarf.

Equity an issue for too many kids

Children at schools in poor areas are still lagging far behind their wealthy peers, with rising pass rates making but a small dent in the achievement gap, latest data shows.

Upper-caste wants lower-caste benefits

Young people from an Indian caste long regarded as privileged have been staging violent protests as they clamour for a downgrade to "backward" status.

John Roughan: Men are not predisposed to family violence

Boys realise very early in life they simply do not hit girls and that it is part of what makes them masculine.

Catriona MacLennan: Why doesn't she leave?

"Why doesn't she leave?" That is the wrong question to ask. It places responsibility for the situation on the victim, rather than the perpetrator, writes Catriona MacLennan.

Annah Stretton: Work with Mum to keep kids home

Rather than placing children in foster care the state should be helping to strengthen their family unit.

Delamere: I'd let Chris Brown in

A former Immigration Minister says he would let Chris Brown into the country because it would cause no obvious harm.

Leaving family for a Club Med lifestyle

'Like living in Club Med" or "siloing a generation". Retirement villages attract strong feelings for and against.

South Africans killed at rate of war

South Africa's murder rate has increased for the third year running, with opposition groups saying the figures mirror "a country at war".

Analysing catalogue of misery

It is a grim glimpse of the front line of social work - an 1100-page dossier of abuse and misery cataloguing the life of Benjamin*.

Alcoholic mum used boy as 'cash cow'

Severely disabled child used by his alcoholic mother and her boyfriend to access up to $80,000 in benefits.