Disgraced former employers' boss Alasdair Thompson has switched sides and is speaking up for raising the minimum wage to $18.40 an hour.

Wellington's Anglican bishop says he may cut his own salary to help fund a "living wage" for cleaners, caregivers and other low-paid workers.

Why can't an independent body fairly decide what a job should be paid? Or at least set a base living wage which people can actually live on, asks Brian Rudman.

At the 75th anniversary of social security, the system needs improvements, writes Margaret McClure.

As the Minister of Education who was responsible for the introduction of the national curriculum, I was very interested to read the article by Elizabeth Rata.

Former gang member-turned-youth mentor wants to help his community as a councillor.

Hundreds of people black and white, many holding hands, filled an Alabama church that was bombed by the white supremacist Ku Klux Klan 50 years ago.

About 60,000 Grey Power members will get up to 10 per cent off their power bills if they sign up to a new joint venture.

Hairdressers are the new front line in a campaign to strengthen "natural helpers" for suicide risks.

Youth are finding the story they were told about hard work is not quite true, writes Cathy Bi.

A delay in getting at-risk youth back into education can have life-long consequences, education experts say.

A teen has been left in limbo without education for 305 school days as new figures spark concerns that at-risk pupils are falling through the cracks.

Overbearing parents whose children are repeatedly bullied may be part of the problem, with new research showing kids miss out on social skills when parents are too protective.

In the lead-up to the elections, the Herald will examine all of the Super City's 13 wards, analysing the big issues and contests.

The first two Thai couples to book same-sex marriages in NZ have had to battle to get visitor permits from immigration officials who appear to have been suspicious about their 30-year age gaps.

A gay and lesbian support group in one of our most conservative institutions - the military - has won the supreme award in this year's Equal Employment Opportunities Trust diversity awards.

Once a blip on the national sports scene, baseball has grown its player base to about 6000. And its emergence has been funded entirely with gambling money.

Alicia sobs as she recalls the moment she realised her life had to change. She was spending up to 20 hours a week at the pokies, losing between $300 and $400.

Many are being subjected to horrendous abuse, threats and bullying while using the social networking site Ask.fm.

Social networker to beef up measures to prevent harassment after five teens die following cyber bullying.

To see whether the bystander effect worked on the streets of Auckland, the Herald on Sunday put an actress feigning obvious distress in a public place.

The head of New Zealand's third-largest church has asked its ministers to consider a temporary ban on gay marriages to preserve the church's "peace and unity".

Drivers of high-end vehicles are ruder than those who drive old bangers, according to a study.

Some of New Zealand's last surviving World War II veterans have joined a protest against plans by the new managers of Auckland's Ranfurly home to slash their caregivers' wages.

Social Development Minister Paula Bennett often stands accused of taking a hard line on matters within her purview.

New measures to protect children from abusers are stronger and sharper than previous tepid responses.

Maori Party co-leader Tariana Turia says she will need some convincing over sweeping changes made in an effort to stop child abuse and death in New Zealand.

New rules for KiwiSaver subsidies to help people buy their first homes will help middle-class couples but will knock out lower-income families.