Life And Society

A beacon of hope and grape juice in a bunker were featured as, 25 years ago, RNZ nervously ticked over from 1999 to 2000.

Vests are Whangārei Mayor Vince Cocurullo's thing, worn 365 days a year. Including under his mayoral robes, to council meetings, official functions and even to the beach.

A group of school pupils suggested there was nothing to do for young people in Ashburton during a Youth Forum presentation to the mayor and councillors earlier this year.

Sweatpants and Hallmark-esque movies over a booked-out summer calendar? Yes please, a tired Jessica Keane writes.

In a social media ecosystem already rife with misogyny, racism and aggression, experts say it's remarkably easy to shape the narrative around a public figure through "astroturfing".

Mastodon, Slayer and Whitechapel are not among the usual clientele for the average New Zealand tradie.

Switching off phones or laptops when on holidays can help us get more out of our free time and relationships.

As more than 700 people sit down to community Christmas Day lunches, the levels of need in the community this year are the worst it has been, both Auckland and Wellington city missioners say.

The summer holiday period often heralds celebration and cheer but, for sobriety coach Noelene Brown and many others, it can make for a lot of "tricky" social situations.

If you're hitting the road this summer and planning to take your cat or dog with you, it's time to start thinking about how you can get them adjusted to long car rides.

Tony Stamp looks back at some of his favourite reissued albums and compilations of 2024, including Japanese techno, Māori hip-hop, and Zambian pop. Video

A chance encounter with a stray cat one Christmas Eve brought reporter Katie Fitzgerald much more than she bargained for.

There is anecdotal evidence that "non-parents feel pressure to pick up the slack" - like working over Christmas - when those with caring responsibilities are unavailable, experts say.

I need a last minute Christmas gift, are any shops open? What if I forgot my share of the potluck?

The foodie-farmer is throwing a more "relaxed" Christmas party this year, with just a 20-odd guestlist. Audio

Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson describes his work as using "the medium of people".

Don't put up with friends lashing out, relishing your pain or minimising your struggles, says science writer David Robson. Audio