The Panel

What the Panellists Lavina Good and James Nokise want to talk about.

In the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal, Hollywood has now been rocked by a new harassment claims. House of Cards actor Kevin Spacey has apologised for an historic sexual assault claim by a then 14-year-old while also coming out as gay. That caused a huge backlash from the LGBTQI community, who say he shouldn't have used his coming out to distract from the allegations. Rawa Karetai from ILGA (International lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans and intersex association) joins us to discuss the reaction.

Sitting down to eat with your family may seem more unrealistic as we get busier and as home life changes but it could be the key to keeping you healthy. New research has found eating alone increases people's risk of heart disease and diabetes. Men in particular are susceptible to metabolic syndrome if they eat their meals on their own. We talk to Lisa Te Morenga from Otago University about why eating habits can affect our health.

It's that time of year again when ghouls and ghosts are celebrated while children beg for lollies. It's never had the same pull as it does in other countries but it still brings out the naysayers and the supporters here every year. We ask the panellists if they're for or against the day.

Are hyphenated names in vogue? With more women choosing to keep their surnames and giving double-barrelled last, and first, names, there seems to be many more hypens abound. Is it too hard on kids or is this the new normal? The Panellists tells us what they think.

Germany's debating whether a new train named after Holocaust victim Anne Frank is respectful or crude. Many have called the move tasteless but the train operator insists the decision is honourable and aimed at uniting people of different cultures. The panellists give their view.

Auckland's Mayor has suggested a way to free up land for housing developments in the jampacked city - seizing it from land bankers. Phil Twyford's also suggested Crown land owned by ministers should be used for critical projects. The panellists discuss whether these ideas are legitimate land appropriation or going a step too far.

The country is suffering a shortage of trade teacher trainees as the government looks to build tens of thousands more houses over the next decade. Industry experts are worried the lack of trainees in schools will see fewer people in the trade workforce. Massey University senior education tutor Paul Turner says we need to change the regulations needed for tradespeople to go into teacher training.

There's been an explosion at a water pumping station in Invercargill which has put a worker in hospital. RNZ's Otago Southland reporter Ian Telfer has been following events and is with us now

The Trump-Russia collusion inquiry is heating with three key aides now indicted. The white house continues to brush off the scandal that's been dogging the administrations since it began, even despite the latest developments. Al Gillespie, International law professor at Waikato University, tells us why this blow is likely not to leave a mark on Donald Trump while the Republican Party continues to hold power in congress.