The importance of supernovae to the enrichment and evolution of the inter-stellar medium is well known. Core-collapse supernovae operate on short timescales allowing them to shape and enrich star forming regions in spiral galaxies. Comparatively, SNe Ia occur in both early and late type galaxies. Recent findings in this field are presented with an emphasis on stripped-envelope core-collapse supernovae (SE-SNe) and Type Ia supernova. For SE-SNe, the results of the largest sample of bolometric light curves analysed to date are presented revealing the physical parameters of the population, including 56Ni distribution and luminosity function. The spectra of SLSNe indicate similar properties as normal SNe Ib/c but a different power source. The connection between gamma-ray burst SNe (GRB-SNe) and superluminous supernovae is investigated following the discovery of the magnetar powered SN 2011kl, associated with ultra-long GRB 111209A. The nature of the central engine has implications for the ejecta mass and composition of these SNe. With respects to SNe Ia, a new method of calculating host galaxy extinction has allowed us to overcome the colour/extinction degeneracy. As a result it is found that 'normal' SNe Ia form distinct populations within star-forming and passive galaxies. Peculiar events tend to originate from passive galaxies, but some transitional events may be accommodated as the tail of the normal distribution based on their physical properties.