The Panel

Following our discussion yesterday about electricity prices this winter, we get energy commentator Molly Melhuish back on the show to answer listener question on fixing the market.

Health advocates are calling for the Government to be more aggressive pushing alternatives to cigarettes if it wants to hit the 2025 smoke-free target.

Listeners react to our discussion yesterday about the news the vote to legalise marijuana could be held next year. Some dispute Professor David Fergusson's opinion that cannabis is easy to obtain.

A new study has discovered why some people are worse at taking orders than others and it's all about how your brain works. The study found people were more control-averse due to activity in two areas of the brain. Essentially, it boiled down to trust in the people giving the orders. We ask the panelists if they're more of a maverick or rule-follower. Plus we hear some celebrity advice. What the Panelists Nadine Higgins and Andrew Clay want to talk about. A European study argues testing methods are not good enough to predict the impact of 'biodegradable' plastic in marine habitats. Products that may have passed the biodegardability could still take a long time to degrade in lakes, rivers and oceans. Professor of Engineering Thomas Neitzert joins the show to tell us why biodegradable plastic could be dangerous for the enviornment. National has accused speaker Trevor Mallard of "pushing" the story about an MP allegedly making a sexist remark about the Prime Minister. It comes after Paula Bennett walked out of Question Time over the Speaker's system of adding or removing questions as a form of punishment. We discuss the issues with political law professor Andrew Geddis.

Listeners react to our discussion yesterday about the news the vote to legalise marijuana could be held next year. Some dispute Professor David Fergusson's opinion that cannabis is easy to obtain, with people pointing out that methamphetamine and synthetic cannabis is more prevalent than weed nowadays. We go through the responses with the panelists and get their view. Health advocates are calling for the Government to be more aggressive pushing alternatives to cigarettes if it wants to hit the 2025 smoke-free target. Advocates say e-cigarettes and vaping must be encouraged. One of the suggestions is to ban the sale of cigarettes. We ask the panelists what they think of the move. Following our discussion yesterday about electricity prices this winter, we get energy commentator Molly Melhuish back on the show to answer listener question on fixing the market. One proposes a regulatory group to cap the companies. Meanwhile Newshub is reporting the Government is set to pay millions of dollar in winter energy payments to highest-earning superannuitants. The panelists weigh in. We look at the new taxi service to rival Uber, Zoomy now has more than 80,000 app downloads and more than 2000 drivers, but can it become profitable? The numbers seem to suggest ride-sharers don't make money, Uber is popular but continues to have major losses. We ask the panelists what they use when they need a ride and we get expert analysis from Eric Crampton, Chief Economist at The New Zealand Initiative.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is about sleeping in on the weekend.

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered James' question about why his dog howls, Anthony's query about planets and one about eggs.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is about the latest trends in baby names in America - a writer is not happy with the spelling of some of the newly popular monikers.

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered Andrew's question about glass jars, Keith's query about emails spam and Rheon's wondering about betting.

Meghan Markle's pre-wedding beauty routine has been revealed, with her bridal glow attributed to a strange facial that massages the inside of the mouth. The facial is said to relax muscles in the face and make it look healthy. Dermatologist Dr Louise Reiche tells us whether this routine would actually work or not.