Mike Houlahan

Resident doctors are considering more industrial action, as mediation talks to settle the dispute resumed in Wellington.

Aristotle claimed nature abhorred a vacuum. But in politics, it's the reverse. A vacuum is terrific, as the absence of information allows a politician free rein to fill the void themselves, writes Mike Houlahan.

Loneliness is one of the greatest challenges of growing old. Mike Houlahan looks at the challenge of keeping older people active in their community, and the role volunteers play.