The Panel with Gary McCormick and Verity Johnson (Part 1)

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.