Latest from Social Issues

Family mediation contracts finally settled

Editorial: Incentive for beneficiaries a life-changer

Editorial: The rebuilding of the city has created plenty of opportunities. Any initiative that makes it easier for beneficiaries to move to this work is, therefore, welcome.

Nial Wheate: Serious dangers lurking in powdered alcohol

Snorted alcohol has the potential to deliver alcohol [directly] to the brain, writes Nial Wheate. "The product is clearly targeted towards the alcopops market. But there are dangers that need to be considered before such a product is made available."

Who we trust with our info

New Zealanders view social media providers as the least trustworthy organisations for keeping personal details private.

Report card for our schools

A Government-funded survey, published today, finds our primary and intermediate schools are in 'mixed health'.

Gen Z: Child of our times

They’re the kids born totally wired, the first generation who will spend their whole lives in a world where the planet’s accumulated wisdom is available instantly at the touch of a finger. And the first of them have just left school.

Legal highs pulled from shelves

Synthetic cannabis products will be pulled from shelves faster than the looming Government ban, as users suffer acute psychotic reactions and prolonged withdrawal.

Gambling service boost for Maori, Pacific

Maori and Pacific problem gambling services have won more money out of a tender which stopped all funding for the country's biggest provider, the Problem Gambling Foundation.

Tom Hamilton: Simplifying gender agenda will only lead to alienation

The other morning I was grabbing a coffee before work and read Bob McCroskie's opinion piece, and that was the start of a ruined day, writes Tom Hamilton.

Germans flock to Hobbit land

Germany has overtaken Japan to become NZ's fifth-biggest source of tourists and the royal visit has increased interest in other key markets.

Life is sweet - Kiwis in Oz answer critics

Life is just fine for many Kiwis living in Australia who say they have nothing to moan about after crossing the Tasman in search of a better life.

Russel Hoban: Gender debate demands compassion

Bob McCoskrie of Family First, writing under the heading "A child's desire to change sex can be a symptom of other disorders that can be treated", clearly positions his stand, but not the issue.

Lobbying to buy state houses - cheap

Community and iwi groups have asked the Govt to sell them up to a fifth of the country's 69,000 state houses at a discount of up to about half of market values.

Pre-job testing finds few on drugs

Just one in 100 beneficiaries who had pre-employment drug tests under a new government policy showed any sign of drug abuse.

Wendyl Nissen: It's OK to be the weaker sex...on rubbish day

A few weeks ago I wrote about some women over 50 feeling that they are invisible to men, writes Wendyl Nissen.

Few parents paid for care of disabled children

A 13-year legal battle by parents seeking the right to be paid caregivers for their disabled adult children has ended in bitterness, with only a handful of parents being paid.