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.

Wide-ranging restraining orders will soon be in use to keep suspected child abusers away from children for up to 10 years.

Disability advocates have warned the Government it could take years to regain their trust

House price inflation creates no new output and few jobs. It consigns young first-home buyers to a life of debt servitude, writes Peter Lyons.

Churches have become corporate onshore tax havens which are subsidised by taxpayers so that the religious can pursue the supernatural, writes Max Wallace and Robert Nola.

"Be content with what you have". That's just one of the slogans on a mural at the Cannons Creek Four Square.

Hundreds of fatherless boys will benefit from a boosted mentoring programme.

Deliberate self-harming is reaching epidemic levels among Kiwi teenagers - but the teens say it has become "almost fashionable".

When politicians talk about making the labour market more flexible, it means ensuring that the demand and supply of labour determines the wage rate. writes Peter Lyons.

Parents battling to get their children back from state foster care are being stymied by two-month delays to get hold of their official files, a lobby group says.

Just over half of voters support extending Working for Families in-work tax credits of at least $60 a week to beneficiaries.

"Our economy would be lost without these people," writes Michael Cox. Volunteering is big business. Over one million of us together contribute 270 million volunteer hours a year.

In Pyongyang, Kim Jong Un enjoyed perhaps the proudest moment of his nascent leadership as North Korea beamed its now familiar images of strength to the world.

School's back today after the holidays - but not all students will be. And in many cases it's the parents' decision to let them skip classes.

Paris is an East Auckland boy whose mum couldn't afford a winter uniform.

A year after Auckland Mayor Len Brown promised to crack down on central city alcohol issues, booze-related assaults are "bog standard".

Martin Johnston reports on the growing pressure to expand taxpayer subsidies and lower the cost.

Mother of four Michelle Gordon delayed taking her teenage daughter to the doctor for a fortnight.

Pokie numbers in pubs and clubs across Auckland will drop under a new unified Super City policy.

When Robin Vinod turned 17, he couldn't sign a tenancy agreement or be responsible for bills - but that was when CYF left him to fend for himself.

He will be heir to riches of which the other 361,480 babies who share his birthday can only dream, writes Brian Rudman.