Latest from Social Issues

Catriona MacLennan: Little progress on genuine equality for women

September 19 will mark the 121st anniversary of women's suffrage in New Zealand. This country is proud it was the first to give women the vote.

Christian group targets gay player

NFL player Michael Sam told reporters that he hoped in future he would be seen "as Michael Sam the football player, instead of as Michael Sam the gay football player".

Under-qualified for marriage

Young people without educational qualifications are increasingly being left on the shelf by potential partners, New Zealand researchers say.

Action on child poverty wanted - but...

A new poll on child poverty has found most Kiwis want more done to fix the problem - but not if it meant paying higher taxes.

Geoff Noller: People should decide drug future

Perhaps because of the impending election, public discussion of our cannabis laws has been gaining momentum.

Sykes brings years of battling social issues to election campaign

With her Auckland ties, Annette Sykes says she could have easily stood in the Tamaki Makarau electorate.

Nick Smith pilloried at housing forum

Housing Minister Nick Smith was shouted down when he claimed at a forum on Auckland's housing crisis that foreign buyers weren't impacting on prices.

Officer found guilty of racial abuse

A Queenstown policewoman accused of racially abusing a taxi driver in the resort last year has been found guilty.

Three gender options under Labour

Labour wants drivers' licences and passports in New Zealand to offer three gender options.

Lydia Sosene: Licensors blind to social impact of bottle shops

Lydia Sosene writes: A full-strength alcohol outlet would be a recipe for disaster and the social cost on our struggling community will continue to triple.

Bernard Hickey: Income fairness improves economies

United, the world in a suburb

When Cecil Lochan settled in Mt Roskill in the mid-1970s, the Fijian-Indian was the first non-European in the street. His neighbour wasn't happy.

Calder: Helping prey fight off the sharks

The Government’s proposal for get-ahead loans is okay, but it won't help New zealanders who are still in serious financial trouble, writes Peter Calder.

Paul Gibson: Still work to do on disabled rights

Most New Zealanders take their rights for granted, but they're rights often not realised by disabled people, writes Paul Gibson.

Choice between the carrot and the stick

Voters comparing social policies at this election have a clear choice: "Unrelenting focus on work" with National, or a softer line if Labour wins.

Editorial: Unfairness of pokie funds must change

The Auckland Council was an early supporter of Te Ururoa Flavell's Gambling Harm Reduction Bill and it saw the legislation as a toolkit.