Latest from Social Issues

SkyCity subsidy: Auckland revolts

City comes out swinging over Government suggestion that ratepayer cash be used to prop up SkyCity's international convention centre.

We're healthier, but issues persist

Kiwis are getting healthier, but New Zealand still faces serious health issues, especially in the most deprived areas.

Diane Robertson: This Christmas, give compassion

Christmas is meant to be a time of happiness and good cheer. Instead I find myself getting very angry.

Artificial field's 'horrible' smell

New in-fill for artificial fields is being investigated as residents near an Ellerslie complex complain of the "horrible" smell of rubber tyres.

Hospitals dreading tide of drunks

Hospital emergency staff across the country are bracing for an influx of drunk patients as revellers over-indulge during the festive season.

Peter Lyons: More cuts loom to reach surplus holy grail

Peter Lyons writes: When we eventually achieve the budget surplus we need to recognise it has been paid for by many of those who had the least to start with.

Deborah Hill Cone: Cheers! Here's a toast to sobriety

Not drinking is the easy part. The hard part is dealing with people’s reactions to your alcohol-free lifestyle, Deborah Hill Cone writes.

Matt Heath: Overgifting is spoiling Kiwi kids at Christmas

Matt Heath writes: Last Christmas my two boys got so many presents they became bored opening them - if your kids get too much, why not take them to see the people who don't?

Labour MP drops euthanasia bill

A bill which would legalise voluntary euthanasia has been dropped by Labour MP Iain Lees-Galloway at the request of his leader Andrew Little.

Abbott pledges recognition of Aborigines

Prime Minister Tony Abbott plans to hold a referendum in 2017 to change the constitution and finally recognise Aborigines as the nation's first people.

Editorial: Competition way to reduce inequality

1am queue for Mission's food parcels

Hundreds of families from as far away as Hamilton are queuing at the Auckland City Mission for help to put food on the table this Christmas.

Where + why Maori still smoke

It's ten years today since smoking was banned in bars, but Maori are still more likely to smoke than Europeans. We map where the ethnic smoking gap lies.

Big challenge in cancer fight plan

Doctors question if an already stretched workforce can cope with the govt's ambitious target to treat every cancer patient within two months.

On the move: The life of a renter tot

A new study has found that two-thirds of children in private rental housing in Auckland and the Waikato move house within their first two years.

Deborah Hill Cone: Facing sober reality of my mind

I liked to drink. I liked to be drunk. "You self-medicate," my psychiatrist said, kindly, writes Deborah Hill Cone. Strangely, I even liked hangovers.