Latest from Social Issues

Editorial: Overhaul of burial law not needed

Editorial: A review of burial laws by the Law Commission has led to drastic and largely unnecessary recommendations.

NZ diplomat to assist gay Kiwi athletes at Winter Olympics

Cutbacks after veterans' home sold spark inquiry

A trust that sold off a 100-year lease of Auckland's historic Ranfurly veterans' home has called in an outside expert to review the quality of care the veterans are now receiving.

Anglicans in clear over gay-man case

A New Zealand church has been let off the hook for forbidding a gay man from becoming a priest.

Bob Jones: Racial jibes - times have changed

Cartoonists moaned when Rowling became Prime Minister in 1974, being unable to caricature him.

Beyonce link-up thrills charity

Excited Barnardos workers have volunteered to fly in from around the country to staff collection stalls at Beyonce's Auckland concerts this week.

Overhaul in wind for war pensions scheme

Ex-soldiers could soon get support for psychological issues as well as physical injuries under wide-ranging changes to war pensions.

Gayle Peterson: Women's leadership skills needed

New Zealand rightly prides itself on being a leader in women's rights. It was ranked sixth out of 135 countries in the Global Gender Gap report for 2011.

Gen X picking up the reins

Having put their collective feet up on the desk as they contemplate retirement, baby boomers have been overtaken by Gen Xer as the most productive generation.

Use of child IDs referred to watchdog

The Privacy Commissioner has been consulted on the possibility of using identification numbers attached to preschoolers as a way to track and punish parents.

New scheme will pit disabled people against loved ones - group

Reforms to return more pokie profits to communities

Gaming trusts would be forced to return more pokie machine profits to sports teams and community groups under proposed gambling reforms.

Rodger Spiller: Weighing investment with values

In the light of the latest step by churchgoers in Auckland to further align their money with their values, all investors are being challenged to think.

Former CEO backs 'living wage'

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

Bishop challenges high-income earners

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.

A remuneration body for the poor?

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.