The Panel

A new paper has collected accounts from witnesses in Australia of birds using fire to hunt prey. It's the first recorded phenomneon of non-humans using fire this way, but has been lore among Aboriginal people for decades. Author and ornithologist Bob Gosford joins us form Australia to discuss how the birds use fire and what this means for our understanding of the animals' intelligence. What the Panelists Stephen Franks and Michele A'Court want to talk about. The Police Association says there's a link between cuts to police funding over the years and the rise in the country's road toll. Nearly 100 dedicated police roles have been done away with in five years, as the roadtoll has soared by 50 percent. There are still more than 100 policing vacancies. We look at how the two are related and what this means for the government's plan to boost police numbers. Actor and regular panelist Peter Elliott joins the programme to discuss his latest venture ont he roads - riding his motorcycle across the country. An Australian woman is calling for more warnings signs at the dangrous but popular tourist spot, MacKenzie Falls in Victoria, after a man drowned while she was there. She wasn't able to call for help as there is no phone reception there and she believes the dangers need to be better pointed out, especially for foreign tourists. The panelists discuss what they expect when they're out and about in the great outdoors.

Locals of several popualr tourists destinations around the country are upset at the mess being left by freedom campers. Toilet paper and other waste are being left by those who don't have self-contained cmapervans or motor homes and locals are demanding councils to more to stop it or, at least, police the camping sites better. Bruce Lochere, CEO of the New Zealand Motor Caravan Assocaition, discusses the problem with the panelists. A traveller to a Rotorua motel is outraged after finding the place in a disgusting state. She asked for a refund for the $200 a night fee but was turned down by the owner. Reviews of the accomodation online also paint a very unclean picture. Consumer NZ's head of reasearch Jessica Wilson joins the programme to tells us what customers can expect in this situation and what they can do if they feel they've been let down. It's been two years since Duane Major began his crowdfunding campaign to get Awaroa beach back into the hands of New Zealanders. Panelist Stephen Franks has a house at the beach and tells us more about whether there has been an upswing in kiwi visitors since it became "publicly" owned. Amazon has opened a supermarket in Seattle with no checkouts. Customers scan an app on their phones as they walk in and shop as they like. Camers and sensors track the items they buy, all in the name of making things faster, easier and more convenient. We ask the panelists if they're ready for teh future or if these digital advances are worrying.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is all about growing old, is retirement actually bad your health?

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered Kat's question about credit cards, a query about hearing and Tim Watkin's wondering about his old lotto ticket.

Dunedin's trying to decide what to do with 17 bus shleters that are no longer needed with the cnage in bus routes aroudn the city. Should they be moved or reused? We ask the panelists for their suggestions.

Former deputy Prime Minister Paula Bennett has revealed she's had gastric bypass surgery. She's now recovering well but the news has ignited the conversation about how effective the surgery is for those strugglign with thier weight and whether it should be publicly funded. We ask the panelists what they think and Bernard Hickey tells us his experience with the operation.

Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is now up in space after finally lifting off from Mahia Peninsula. It's the first time a satellite has been launched into orbit from New Zealand but it wasn't without it's hiccups.

What the Panelists Penny Ashton and Bernard Hickey want to talk about.

You can now apply to be on the first dive down to the wreckage of the Titanic. The tragic cruise liner rests 4 kilometres deep in the North Atlantic Ocean. Tickets are just $170,000 - but you've got to be up the physical task.

Advertising of gambling is overseen by the Gambling Act however not all forms can be controlled. We ask our panelists what they think of online gambling sites being advertised on TV during prime time or when children may be watching.