The Panel

Following calls from two Auckland councillors for personal fireworks to be banned, The Pannelists give their thoughts on the matter.

How corrupt is New Zealand?

The famous evangelist preacher, Billy Graham, has died age 99. Salvation is the topic of today's half-time discussion on The Panel. Julia Hartley Moore and James Nokise each have topics they want to talk about. One of the heroes from the Christchurch earthquake gives his take on where the city is at today and what needs to be done. Will beer-wine be a terrible idea or will it kick off? Worst. Olympian. Ever... with full stops between the words. That is a real Twitter-sryle putdown. It's alluding to Hungarian halfpipe skier Elizabeth Swaney. This year's New Zealander of the year will be announced at an award ceremony in Auckland tonight. It's between Mike King, Kristine Bartlett and Dr Siouxsie Wiles.

New Zealand has been ranked as the least corrupt country in the world. But is that really the case? The rating from Transparency International looks at the "perceived level of public sector corruption according to experts and businesspeople." Deloitte's forensic director Lorinda Kelly says perceptions differ from reality and corruption is most definitely occurring in New Zealand. Following calls from two Auckland councillors for personal fireworks to be banned, The Pannelists give their thoughts on the matter. The Census forms are being delivered. The Panel talks to demographer Dr Natalie Jackson about what shape the country is taking and what types of jobs we need. The Queenstown Lakes District Council wants luxury homes exempt from the Government ban on foreign buyers. The council says it is benefitting significantly from people purchasing luxury homes.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel.

The world's leading futurists are in Australia for an international meeting.

The Parkland School shooting is shedding more light on Americans attitudes to guns. A children's baseball team is raffling off a AR-15 rifle.

Promoter Brent Eccles talks to The Panel about the state of ticket sales being undermined by the ticket resale market.

What the Panelists Alexia Russell and Damon Salesa want to talk about.

Writer Mia Freedman asks what's wrong with not having the perfect work-life balance? The Panellists discuss their positions on the work-life balance.