Latest from Social Issues

Street mates 'family' forever

Kelly Brown found a new "family" on the streets of Auckland after being removed from his biological family at the age of 7.

Robin Kearns: Child-friendly city would let us ease up on cotton wool

Robin Kearns writes: Whose city is this? Does Auckland belong only to adults and motorists? Perhaps we all need to slow down and reconsider our priorities.

Hollywood's gender crisis

For all its success, <i>Still Alice</i> is a shameful anomaly as well as a triumph, simply by dint of the fact that at its heart is a middle-aged woman.

We won't buy unless they're free - Trust

A community housing provider has told the Government that it won't buy state houses when they're put up for sale this year unless the price is zero.

Hone plays peacemaker in house protest

Former MP Hone Harawira has been called in to try to ease tensions in Glen Innes after a rock was thrown at a removal man trying to move a state house out of the area last year.

Transgender boy's video draws applause

A viral video of a 9-year-old Kiwi asking for support to live as a boy after being born a girl has impressed transgender advocates and prompted an overwhelmingly positive response.

Walt Glazer: Time to prick the housing bubble

Walt Glazer asks whether Auckland should become the Hong Kong of the South Pacific or remain a Kiwi oasis of security for the future.

Housing crisis worsens

Salvation Army says housing shortage adding "incredible stress" to families as its State of Nation report shows Auckland's crisis worsened by a record near-4000 houses last year.

Gay marriage goes to US Supreme Court

Inmate spike pushes cells to limit

Police stations have become "mini prisons" because of an unexpected overflow of inmates and a senior police officer fears frontline staff may be pulled from their duties to help man the cells.

John Armstrong: 'Market' swept under social housing rug

It is difficult to erase the suspicion that the social housing policy is motivated by ideology as much as anything else, writes John Armstrong.

Editorial: Key's 'State of Nation' a lost opportunity

State of the Nation speeches, so called, are really about the state of the government or the party in opposition at the opening of a new political year. Politicians, like the public, have been refreshed by a summer break.

Dita De Boni: Key rocks on with trickle-down groupies

Those at Davos, seemingly representing the interests of the very wealthy, like to think they are working to make the world a better place - as long as they are not inconvenienced in doing so.

Little's big speech focuses on jobs

"The Labour Party I lead is about jobs, good jobs, skilled jobs, well-paid jobs." Andrew Little has delivered his first state of the nation speech.

Fears teen parents are missing out

87 per cent of teenage mums, and virtually all teen fathers, are missing out on education at specialist units designed for them.

Future Auckland: School to shop floor

Auckland is a great place - but it can be even better. In the second of our five-part Future Auckland series we aim to stimulate debate. Teuila Fuatai reports.