The Panel

The government has today delivered its first update of the state of its books. Finance Minister Grant Robertson says the budget shows the government should be able to make good on its election promises. It plans to cut down on surplus and pay debt down more slowly to fund all of its policies. It also revealed its families income package. Economic commentator Bernard Hickey gives his first impressions of the mini-budget. Auckland mayor Phil Goff wants a new national stadium and he's hoping to get the government onboard to build it on Auckland's waterfront. With all the back and forth over the America's Cup options, we ask the panellists whether this could be done and whether New Zealand's needs another drawcard. An Auckland company has taken matters into its own hands, clamping the cars of people going into the neighbouring Chinese Embassy to obtain visas. The business says their parks are routinely used by people other than it's customers and so has employed the services of a clamping company. The panellists give their views on whether the Embassy should respond to the demand better. Another famous athlete has failed a drugs test. Cyclist Chris Froome could eb stripped of his Vuelta title after testing positive for excess levels of the asthma medication, Salbutamol. Chris Froome is fighting back saying he takes the medicine legitimately. The panellists debate whether the focus on drugs in sport will continue. A bill to allow terminally ill New Zealanders to choose euthanasia has passed its first reading by a big margin. MP's say further support will depend on public submissions during the select committee process. The panellists tell us how they would like to see this proceed and whether a referendum on the matter is a good choice.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is about the psychology of gift-giving!

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered a question about movie ticket prices, Lennor's query about pronunciation and William's wondering about nuts and peanut butter.

Thousands of Indian tech workers have turned to online therapy services to seek solace after being let go. We ask if embracing online counselling could be worthwhile for kiwis and the panellists discuss more about job growth in the future.

Money matters today: Will Adrian Orr stack up as the new reserve bank boss? His work as the head of the NZ Super Fund seems to have earned him glowing endorsements. Meanwhile a new report has found that just 1000 people own 40 per cent of the Bitcoin market, as it surges in value. But another has found that many of them can't remember their passwords so are watching their investment rise without any chance of reaping the reward. We ask the panellists if they're tempted to get in the Bitcoin game.

The Crime Prevention Group is meeting with Government Ministers today to discuss the ongoing violence dairy owners are facing.

The drug that caused President Trump to declare an Opioid epidemic, Fentanyl, has now been connected to a string of deaths in Australia. New Zealand Customs says they're monitoring the situation carefully.

What the panellists Steve McCabe and Mai Chen want to talk about.

As we get closer to Christmas and all it entails, the panellists tell us their plans for the season, and what they plan to eat on the big day.

Following on from yesterday's discussion about teacher's having to physically restrain students, if they are endangering themselves or others, we ask our panellist school teacher Steve McCabe his view.