The Panel

Landfill, superannuation and DoC walks.

Some are starting to notice a pattern that links key words that they type in emails or in internet search engines leading to advertisements that suddenly appear in their social media feed about those very topics. Are you being paranoid thinking that your smart phone apps are actually listening to your conversations and doing the same thing? Dr Peter Hannay is an information security expert and says it's not.

Argentina comes from "land beside the silvery river", Venezuela means "little Venice", Brazil means red like an ember, Spain comes from land of many rabbits.The Credit Card Compare site in Australia has some nifty maps of what the names of countries mean. What the Panelists Janet Wilson and James Nokise want to talk about. Auckland man Damien Grant is carrying on with plans for his annual commercial-scale fireworks display despite an outcry from neighbours who are worried about their pets and stock. Ros Rowe of Leg-Up Trust in Hawke's Bay knows the equine nature and tells us how horses react to sudden loud bangs and colourful outbursts in the night sky. Some are starting to notice a pattern that links key words that they type in emails or in internet search engines leading to advertisements that suddenly appear in their social media feed about those very topics. Are you being paranoid thinking that your smart phone apps are actually listening to your conversations and doing the same thing? Dr Peter Hannay is an information security expert and says it's not.

Auckland man Damien Grant puts on a commerical-level fireworks display each year for his son's birthday. This year's no exception but his Waitoki neighbours are sick of the booms and whizzes frightening their pets and stock. We ask Mr Grant why he persists in the event considering the abuse he's been receiving.

A listener is confused about Environment Canterbury rules around permits for woodburners. We seek clarification from ECAN.

Wellington's mayor Justin Lester thinks the Queen's Birthday holiday is becoming less meaningful for most New Zealanders and he's getting behind a bid to have Matariko take it's place. Matariki marks the beginning of the Māori New Year and starts on June 15 this year.

What the Panelists Mihingarangi Forbes and Gary McCormick want to talk about.

The Earth's rotation is very subtly slowing down so our days are getting ever so slightly longer. Do you like the idea of having more daylight to cram more things into your day?

As parliament installs a playground, playgrounds in South Auckland are going to rack and ruin. A listener says South Auckland is being allowed to degenerate into an unsafe place to live as the Auckland Council turns a blind eye to the area's needs. The chair of the Papakura Local Board Brent Catchpole discusses his ward and the challenges it's facing.

The National Party leader Simon Bridges and others are calling for a little less conversation and a little more action from the government. According to one estimation $55M is being spent on reviews, inquiries and working groups. The governemnt disputes this, saying the figure is $34M. Still.