Wellington, Sept 7 NZPA - Well-known television host, author and clinical psychologist Nigel Latta, who openly voted against the law in a recent referendum on smacking, will help review policies around the issue.

Wellington, Aug 23 NZPA - Cabinet will consider the smacking referendum tomorrow and it looks likely police and welfare staff will be told not to investigate or prosecute parents who lightly smack their children.

Wellington, June 30 NZPA - Child, Youth and Family (CYF) is cutting 80 jobs as part of the greater restructuring of the Ministry of Social Development.

Wellington, April 22 NZPA - A parliamentary committee says it was "very concerned" to discover a gap exists in services for people with autistic disorders which might extend to those with other disabilities.

Wellington, March 27 NZPA - The Government has put a cap on the number of public service employees and although the number has been taken from last year it is facing criticism from Labour and the Public Service Association.

Wellington, Feb 20 NZPA - Around 20,000 public servants chances of getting a one-week increase in their annual leave have been sharply reduced after State Services Minister Tony Ryall ordered a clamp down on state sector pay.