The Panel

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The panelists discuss the latest in international news today today, beginning with a school shooting in Florida that left at least 17 people dead. The suspect, a 19-year-old former student who had been expelled, is in custody.

What ever happened to the frilendly 'toot toot' from passing vehicles when you pull over? A listener asks why she no longer sees the wave of acknowledgement or flashes of headlights when she pulls her caravan over during the summer. The panelists debate if this is the end of friendliness, at leats on our roads. What the panelists David Cormack and Jenna Raeburn want to talk about. The discussion around the retirement age has come up again, with former ANZ chief economist Cameron Bagrie stating it's "inevitable" that it will have to be raised. Previous governments have refused to touch the retirement age and while Labour had once campaigned on the issue, Jacinda Ardern promised not to alter eligibility while Prime Minister. We ask Mr Bagrie how long the country can go before the money runs out. Councils in Britain are struggling to close budget deficits, with many facing huge shortfalls. Local authorities are looking at cutting services to children to make ends meet. It's a situation that can be seen around the world. The panellists discuss whether this is a product of modern society - there's simply not enough money to keep everything running. Team New Zealand and the government continue to be at odds over the location and design of the America's Cup base. Chief executive Grant Dalton expressed his surprise todsay at the joint release of a new plan by the Government and Auckland Council for the 2021 regatta. Levaing aside the merits of either plan, the panelists discuss why there's so much public hostility. Associate Transport Minister Julie-Anne Genter isn't convinced saliva testing is the righ approach to cracking down on drugged drivers. The Transport Ministry says it's a significant issue with 1 in 13 drivers killed on the roads having medications in their system that could have impaired their dirving. But Ms Genter says the saliva testing is inexpensive and the current testing system is effective. The panelists tell us what they think. A listener has responded to our story yesterday about the Salvation Army's State of the Nation report by asking why humans never learn from history? In response to the country's rising methamphetamine problem and inequality levels, the listener poses that while humanity advances technology in leaps and bounds we are unable to address living standards. The panelists tell us what they think of that opinion. Online retailer Amazon is expected to cut hundreds of jobs in Seattle as it focuses resources on developing its popular work like voice assistant Alexa. It seems at odds with the company, which has always been behind the argument that robots won't take our jobs. Meanwhile production automation around the world is accelerating. We ask the panelists what they make of this.

The panelists discuss the latest in international news today today, begining with a school shooting in Floriday that left at least 17 people dead. The suspect, a 19-year-old former student who had been expelled, is in custody. Meanwhile South African President Jacob Zuma resigns after increasing pressure to step aside for his Deputy Cyril Ramaphosa. Zuma has been in power since 2009 and will leave his role immediately. And in other news Zimbabwe's main opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai has died at age 65 after reportedly suffering colon cancer. Tsvangirai spent his career battling against former President Robert Mugabe. Many criticisms against Simon Brdiges becoing the new National leader has centered around his accent. We ask if this is a genuine concern or pure snobbery? The panelists also discuss whether the National party will attempt a "generational change" and what that really means for the candidates. The Prime Minister's Vogue article has been released, with the fashion magazine describing Ms Ardern as the "anti-trump". The panelists discuss the articel and weigh in on whether they agree with that title. Fletcher Building's announcement that it will stop looking for big new construction projects has worried unions, who say it will mean job losses. The company is in a tail-spin after huge financial losses in its building and interiors division. The use of sub-contrators is being blamed for the losses. E tu union Christchurch organiser Paul Johnston tells us what went wrong and what it means for the sector. One of New Zealand's top law firms, Russell McVeagh, is under scrutiny over serious sexual allegations levelled against its staff members two years ago. Two staff members reportedly left the firm after inappropriate behaviour with young, female law-clerk students. Details are hazy but the company has put in place extra HR practices to deal with this kind of behaviour. We talk to employment lawyer Maria Berryman about the actions of lawyers.

Team New Zealand and the government continue to be at odds over the location and design of the America's Cup base.

The Prime Minister's Vogue article has been released, with the fashion magazine describing Ms Ardern as the "anti-trump". The panelists discuss the article and weigh in on whether they agree with that title.

Many criticisms against Simon Bridges becoming the new National leader has centered around his accent. We ask if this is a genuine concern or pure snobbery?

Online retailer Amazon is expected to cut hundreds of jobs in Seattle as it focuses resources on developing its popular work like voice assistant Alexa.

A listener has responded to our story yesterday about the Salvation Army's State of the Nation report by asking why humans never learn from history?

Councils in Britain are struggling to close budget deficits, with many facing huge shortfalls. Local authorities are looking at cutting services to children to make ends meet. It's a situation that can be seen around the world.