The decision by Wellington artist Liam Gerrard to paint a portrait of convicted killer Clayton Weatherston was wrong.

-2

By Kent Atkinson of NZPA

Wellington, Feb 23 NZPA - A proposed new edition of the handbook which helps American psychiatrists decide someone is mentally ill has potential implications for New Zealand, where many mental health experts use the manual as a reference.

This week we have observed another White Ribbon Day. Laudable statements have been made by the heads of our government agencies, celebrities, and politicians that violence against women will not be tolerated in New Zealand.

Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - Parliament's repeal of the use of provocation as a partial defence for murder does not have widespread support from the legal community.

ACT was the only party to oppose the repeal bill which passed last night by 116 votes to five.

Last Saturday night, a highly-billed charity event in Auckland was disappointingly marred. During an otherwise fabulous night, two top male entertainers from a bygone era, each told a joke. Both jokes were sexually denigrating of women.

Wellington, Nov 13 NZPA - The Government is reviewing rules around victim impact statements after the father of murder victim Sophie Elliott says he had to read a censored version of his statement in court.

Wellington, Oct 17 NZPA - Some said it was not enough, but victims' rights campaigners mostly thought the Government was moving in the right direction in bringing in compensation for victims of serious crime and their families.

Auckland, Oct 14 NZPA - A Hungarian man sentenced to serve at least eight years in jail for bashing a 69-year-old gay man to death in Auckland has appealed his sentence.

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - The father of murdered student Sophie Elliott is appalled at the prospect of an appeal for the man convicted of her murder.

Wellington, Oct 13 NZPA - Convicted murderer Clayton Weatherston has lodged an appeal against his conviction, the Court of Appeal says.