When Daryl Brougham was 11, his social worker said: "Daryl, the way you're going, you're going to end up in jail."

Growing numbers of Kiwis risk becoming homeless in old age because of falling home ownership rates, rising rents and static housing subsidies, the Salvation Army says.

The Citizens Advice Bureau said the shortage was experienced not just in Auckland and Christchurch, but nationwide.

More than 30,000 New Zealanders had their benefits cut last financial year for travelling overseas without letting officials know.

COMMENT: Tuhoe boss Tamati Kruger wants the tribe to be independent and free of welfare dependency - which is a good thing, writes Rodney Hide.

Welfare, says Tuhoe leader Tamati Kruger, is a "disease" that has sapped the motivation of his people.

Editorial: While it is in our interests to provide all reasonable assistance to enable them to establish a new life here, we should not sympathise with their predicament too much.

The CYF review panel recommends a child-centred system, "where the voices and needs of children and young people are at the forefront of everything the agency does".

They don't deserve to be swept off the streets like just another pile of rubbish, writes Kerre McIvor.

The disabled boy social workers said was being used by his alcoholic mother and her boyfriend has lost access to a vehicle specially modified to meet his needs.

It is a grim glimpse of the front line of social work - an 1100-page dossier of abuse and misery cataloguing the life of Benjamin*.

Severely disabled child used by his alcoholic mother and her boyfriend to access up to $80,000 in benefits.

It is extraordinary that a West Auckland teenager was held in police station cells for four days because CYFs could not find a bed for her, Labour says.

Rangi Tikitiki's is tired of "being a refugee in my own country", he's been on a waiting list for a Housing NZ home since before he began camping at the park.

Every person in the country aged up to 17 has been screened for factors that could later see their life take a turn for the worse - and cost taxpayers.

"These kids just need a chance, it's really hard at 17, they are too old to be in the system but too young to have rights."

Walz Brown works quietly behind the scenes for the youth of Manurewa, always mindful of how a helping hand, a skateboard and his son lifted him from a life of drugs, drink and despair.

Should you walk up the elevator to help quicken everyone's journey, or remain still to keep everything orderly?

We demand action. But equally we should be dispassionate and rational in demanding measures that seek to prevent these things occurring, writes Jarrod Gilbert.

Jacob Lewis found himself on the streets and struggling to afford food. Now he's studying law at prestigious university.

A $25 increase in welfare payments will be cancelled out by new obligations for parents to return to work sooner and for longer hours, advocacy groups say.

I saw a pregnant lady on the bus offer her seat to an elderly lady. Meanwhile, college teenagers were going about their conversations.

Lorde has expressed her support for a lunch delivery program that helps our most vulnerable Kiwi kids.

Welfare rolls have increased for the first time in a June quarter since 2010, confirming other signs of that New Zealand's economic growth is slowing.

A long-term contract to inspect all state houses for potential risks to health and safety was axed the year before two Auckland tenants died last winter.

Geoffrey Pownall had thought his time with the Rotary Club was done.

An Australian model has issued a warning to women about a self-proclaimed fashion designer who allegedly groped, harassed and exploited models.

WATCH: Why this Auckland couple purposefully abandoned their four-bedroom house in Auckland and took to the streets...and why they prefer this lifestyle.

A man abused as a ward of the state 25 years ago is incensed about the $12,000 compensation offer made to him, saying it feels 'like a kick in the guts'.