The Panel

Auckland council's chief executive has halted discussion on luxury travel for staff. The council says the matter was dropped as it's already being looked at by a committee.

The hospitality industry has warned some Christchurch bars may go out of business if the council decides to move closing times forward. The council is debating today whether to change the closing time from 3 AM to 1 AM. Hospitality NZ says there's no evidence making bars close early reduces alcohol-related harm, but is sure it will make tourists turn away and lure people out of the CBD.

The Prime Minister says it's in the best of children to drop the cohort entry for four-year-olds to start school. We debate the arguments with advice from Dr Amanda Mergler, a psychologist and senior lecturer.

Auckland are meeting to make an initial decision about where to site the next America's Cup. We ask the panellists what they think is the best bet for Auckland.

When Jonathan Densem was diagnosed with inoperable brain cancer, he decided to follow his dream of recording an album of songs. We hear one of his tunes, and he joins the panel to ask listeners for help in finding a studio rehearsal space in Auckland. What the Panelists Gary McCormick and Verity Johnson want to talk about. There are calls for training for Hamilton City Council staff following the news councillor Mark Bunting's sent a lewd message to journalist Angela Cuming. While the city's mayor has spoken to councillors, and Mark Bunting is facing a disciplinary hearing, Campaign for Consent saymore action needs to be taken. We speak to former Dunedin councillor Fliss Butcher about what this disciplinary meeting will achieve and what it's like being part of council.

Auckland are meeting to make an initial decision about where to site the next America's Cup. The final decision won't be for a few weeks yet. It looks like another aspect of harbour encroachment is back on the table. We'll discuss the decision if it comes in and in the meantime ask the panellists what they think is the best bet for Auckland. The Prime Minister says it's in the best of children to drop the cohort entry for four-year-olds to start school. The government highlighted research from education experts who say children just can't handle the pressure of school until five. Meanwhile there are some who beleive kids shouldn't start until they're 7. We debate the arguments with advice from Dr Amanda Mergler, a psycologist and senior lecturer of early education at Queensland University of Technology, who has been studying the issue. The hospitality industry has warned some Christchurch bars may go out of business if the council decides to move closing times forward. The council is debating today whether to change the closing time from 3 AM to 1 AM. Hospitality NZ says there's now evidence making bars close early reduces alcohol-related but is sure it will make toursists turn away and lure people out of the CBD. Auckland council's chief executive has halted discussion on luxury travel for staff. The council says the amtter was dropped as it's already being looked at by a committee. But the lack of transparency has raised concerns for some councillors as well as listeners when we brought up this topic yesterday - one of the questions that remains is what happens to the frequent flyer points accured by all these international trips? We get response from the council and ask the panellists their view.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Story of the day today is all about America's favourite holiday - Thanksgiving!

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered Robin's question about taps, Dominic's one about snakes and David's question about sunscreen.

Lotto tickets are flying out the door as the powerball prize jackpots to $38 million. We ask the panellists why people find it so much more tempting to buy a ticket when the prize grows.

We continue our discussion this week about the efforts to reduce the country's road toll. We ask the panellists there views on some more suggestions from our listeners.