Latest from Social Issues

HIV stigma is the real killer

HIV stigma is a plague that continues to follow the gay community, more than 30 years after the AIDS crisis emerged, writes Lee Suckling.

Mothers and 'wife bonuses'

They run their Upper East Side homes like domestic CEOs, work tirelessly to improve their family's social standing and now want an annual perk from their husbands.

Should all kids have free healthcare?

The Children's Commissioner wants a rethink of universal services so more public spending can go to the neediest families.

24 foster homes in 18 years

As a young boy, Daryl Brougham thought his name was Daryl Foster. He lived in at least 24 foster homes until the age of 18.

Dolls with birthmarks, a walking stick, hearing aids promote diversity

The range of three dolls, which are also diverse in race and appearance, are in direct opposite to the artificial mannequin shape of a Barbie doll.

Making kids suffer our greatest shame

The threat of social rejection to be the most widespread and potent form of stress for human beings. Deborah Hill Cone writes of trying to overcome this kind of killer shame.

Warm fuzzies for all

A $30,000 grant will enable a knitting group to bring even more joy and love — and beanies and blankets — to deserving families.

Muslims most likely to be unemployed

Not all religions and their followers are equal in New Zealand, a Herald investigation into the state of faith has found.

Katherine Lowe: I've become immune to racism

It is almost like I have been surrounded by so many various forms of racism for so long that I am almost immune to it. Or I have given up, writes Katherine Lowe.

Claire Cohen: Wolf-whistling: are women as guilty as men?

Yes, women objectify the opposite sex, says Claire Cohen, but it's different for us.

Stephen Howie: Kiwis need to shout out on child poverty

Returning home to New Zealand after more than 10 years away I find a country both hearteningly buoyant and unsettlingly fragile. Let me explain - the view of one returning son.

Brian Rudman: Security cure as bad as disease

The security Jeremiahs will be most put out. Not one sword-wielding ninja, or explosive-belted suicide bomber, shattered the peace of Anzac Day commemorations. Anywhere.

The time I was accused of child abuse

Lauren Knight recalls the night police visited her house after an anonymous bystander wrongly reported her for slapping her children.

Vouchers urged for social services

A major shift to more voucher-type funding of social services, including health and education, is proposed in a new official report.

Aged-care workers unsatisfied with wages - survey

Most of New Zealand's 57,000 aged-care workers are satisfied with their jobs but not with their wages, a new survey from AUT University has found.

Dad on lifesaving mission for son

Robbie Martin is used to helping youths in his local community. Now the community is helping to raise $10k so he can fly to England to donate a kidney for his son.