The Panel

It's that time of year again when gouls and ghots 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. What the Panellists Lavina Good and James Nokise want to talk about. 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. 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.

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. 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. 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. Germany's debating whether a new train named after Holocaust victim Anne Frank is respectful or crude. Many ahve 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. 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 give their views.

Your feedback, and a preview of the guests and topics on The Panel. Plus! Story of the Day - we sample some of NASA's space sounds.

We find the answers to any queries you can think up. Today we answered Rodney's question about Auckland's North West motorway, a query from Liz about Wonder Woman and one about satellites.

The plague has flared up across Madagascar with fears it could spread further via flights out of the country. Some are suggesting the practice of "dancing with the dead" is fueling the prevalence of the black death.

Do airlines really take notice of your luggage? It seems overweight carry-ons are becoming more common, despite the dire warnings over the speaker at airport. The panellists discuss whether on-board baggage restrictions should be more strictly enforced.

There are calls for Auckland council to slash its number of communication staff, after a leaked document revealed its spending $45 million dollars on its spin doctors. Mayor Phil Goff was elected on the promise he'd make big cuts to spending. The Panellists weigh in on the spending.

The United States has just declared an opioid crisis, cracking down on its painkiller-addition that killing hundreds of American a day. Here we have similar advertising laws, the most relaxed in the world and we're seeing similar addiction problems to prescription drugs. DAPAANZ executive director Sue Paton tells the panel her worries about New Zealand's prescription addiction problem.

What the Panellists Stephen Franks and Ellen Read want to talk about.

They've been dumped, at least temporarily, from their government roles, and now decisions Australian politicians Barnaby Joyce and Fiona Nash made over the last year could be challenged. We get analysis from our panellist, lawyer Stephen Franks, over the continuing citizenship scandal.