The Panel

As Aucklanders bask in the warmth of spring, down south things are a bit chillier ... Iris Scott from the snow-blanketed Rees Valley near Glenorchy joins us to talk about the big storm hitting central Otago. Typhoon Mangkhut is sweeping through east Asia, killing dozens in the Philippines, closing casinos in Macau, and now hitting China and Hong Kong. New Zealand expat Craig Hoyle joins us from Hong Kong to describe what's happening. Tonight about 1,000 volunteers in Auckland will head out to try to count the number of rough sleepers in our biggest city. Fiona Hamilton from Housing First joins us to explain what that information will actually be used for. The Prime Minister yesterday delivered a carefully prepared speech outlining the coalition government's plans for the future. Good intentions, or empty PR exercise?

Susan Baldacci talks about the allegations against US Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh - that he groped a woman at a high school party 30 years ago. Should our teen behaviour be brought up in cases like this?

We find the answers to any queries you can think up.

The wealthy are getting wealthier faster than the economy is growing. Are we entering an age when the only way to make money is to have money?

The Hawkes Bay DHB isn't serving any complimentary alcohol at its awards night this year. Unnecessary, or a sensible idea?

A Canadian job site suggests personal secrecy around salaries benefits employers much more than it does employees, and we should be more transparent about what we're paid. What the Panelists Maria Slade and Andrew Hoggard want to talk about. The Hawkes Bay DHB isn't serving any complimentary alcohol at its awards night this year. Unnecessary, or a sensible idea? What the Panelists Maria Slade and Andrew Hoggard want to talk about. The Hawkes Bay DHB isn't serving any complimentary alcohol at its awards night this year. Unnecessary, or a sensible idea? The wealthy are getting wealthier faster than the economy is growing. Are we entering an age when the only way to make money is to have money?

What the Panelists Mihingarangi Forbes and Andrew Clay want to talk about.

We've been discussing the use of alcohol in New Zealand (again) this week, with the Port Ahuriri School bowing to DHB pressure and banning alcohol from its annual food & music festival, held on school grounds - but well after school - on a Friday/Queenstown police wanting an end to public gatherings involving booze/ Justin Lester citing craft beer as an example of Wellington's cool image.

An unexpected $100k windfall for communities needing digital connectivity after Derek Handley was appointed to then unappointed from the position of Chief Technology Officer. NZ First making a statement about its independence by halting government policy announcements. Political commentator Richard Harman has a good hard think about it all.

The CEO of Fletcher Living says there's no need for a sizable garden if you have playgrounds or parks nearby. Steve Evans says smaller sections is one of the keys for unlocking housing affordability.