The Panel with Janet Wilson and James Nokise (Part 1)

Does paying $600 to hear an MP such as Labour's Grant Robertson speak reap any benefits? The Finance Minister attended a Party fundraiser which was attended by supporters, business figures and lobbyists. It's not dissimilar to events where former National Party leader Sir John Key was the main attraction. Sixty per cent of funding distributed so far through the billion-dollar-a-year Provincial Growth Fund has gone to Northland. The Regional Economic Development Minister Shane Jones credits advocacy from Far North Mayor John Carter and former National MP Murray McCully for Northland's success. The last lap of motor racing has been raced at Auckland's Western Springs. The speedway didn't want to leave its city-fringe location but has to re-locate to an area near the airport. The Auckland Council is turning Western Springs into a cricket ground and says it will allow the return of international cricket to the city. National's Judith Collins' stance on not allowing drug-addicts to remain in state houses has gained support from Panel listeners. In an effort to discourage the use of plastic some takeways are inviting customers to BYO container. Today is World Oceans Day and there's a campaign to get rid of not only real plastic but those in the virtual world too - a ban on emojis for plastic straws and cups. Some listener feed back on our earlier story about a US judge siding with a baker who refused to bake a wedding cake for a gay couple.