The Panel

Justice Minister Andrew Little has reportedly confirmed the Government is planning to remove the three strikes law in the next few weeks and is looking into shorter sentences being served as home detention.

The NZ Herald today reports on the family who found maggots in the wounds of their elderly father who was being cared for at the Pukekohe Palms Lifecare facility.

Auckland councillors have voted to bring in a 11.5 cent-a-litre fuel tax in the city. The tax will fund transport projects in the region. Councillors voted 13 to 7 in favour.

Auckland councillors have voted to bring in a 11.5 cent-a-litre fuel tax in the city. The tax will fund transport projects in the region. Councillors voted 13 to 7 in favour. The NZ Herald today reports on the family who found maggots in the wounds of their elderly father who was being cared for at the Pukekohe Palms Lifecare facility. The family received an apology but it's raised questions about the care received at rest homes. The panelists weigh in on where the failings are coming from. Justice Minister Andrew Little has reportedly confirmed the Government is planning to remove the three strikes law in the next few weeks and is looking into shorter sentences being served as home detention. He believes the current tough approach isn't working. We speak to David Garrett of the Sensible Sentencing Trust about the decision. We return to a discussion we had earlier in thre week about speeders being more likely to be middle-aged and driving Audis. Listener Caroline Rennie has sent in her experiences driving an SUV around Auckland - and why she seems to get much more hostile reactions from other motorists in that car compared to her small Voltswagen. Caroline and the panelists discuss whether we seem to instinctively judge people in certain cars.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is about a cover of Africa by Toto by Weezer.

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered Karen's question about the moon, Jeff's query about data use on RNZ's website and a question about reusable bags.

An article from The Atlantic challenges the idea that TV peaked years ago before the internet, according to figures television viewing, in AMerica at least, didn't peak until 2009-2010, and growth occurred most in the 00s. In New Zealand we still watch 2.5 hours a day of regular TV and 18 hours a week watching online on sites like Netflix. We ask the panelists what their viewing habits are. What the Panelists Clare Delore and Selwyn Manning want to talk about. A Southland school is getting heat from parents for not allowing studnets to wear beanies on cold days. Temperatures have been below zero recently but the school prinicpal says a beanies are not part of the uniform so can't be worn. We speak to Central Southland College principal Grant Dick about the decision. Kiwiblog is complaining that the Birkenhead Primary School Newsletter is promoting the Labour campaign launch in Northcote: "Jacinda Ardern and Shanan Halbert will launch Labour's campaign. All local families are invited." An Auckland school has starting sharing photos of bad parking outside its gates in a newslatter and with police. Staff and parents take photos of the "parking wars" happening during drop off and pick up hours. We ask the panelists if this a little over the top, particularly in winter time.

The migrant man dubbed a hero for saving a child of a balcony has been granted legal immigration status who his actions. However there have been people calling out the French Government for double standards over the issue, asking whether migrants must do heroic acts to be considered for citizenship.

In the fallout of the report by Sir Peter Gluckman on meth contaminated houses, many are calling for compensation. Sir Gluckman found there's never been any evidence of illness from third-hand exposure to methamphetamine.

Auckland Grammar has announced it will be designing its own curriculum, complete with exams, in reaction to proposed changes to NCEA.