The Panel with Marian Hobbs and Mike Yardley, Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Marian Hobbs and Mike Yardley. First up, we keep tabs on the evolving weather situation across the lower North island. Then, the Waitaki district mayor Mel Tavendale has criticised a "toxic online environment" that is making it hard for elected members to do their jobs, as the council trims a deeply unpopular 22 percent rates rise. Its now at 17 %, but Keith Marshall, Waitaki district resident and former chief executive of several district councils says there is no reason for the rates increase. And, finally, outrage has been sparked from psychologists over the retraction of a peer-reviewed piece in a journal, months after it was published. The paper was written by Maori psychologist Arna Mitchell. The journal removed it because they said the piece could perpetuate harm to Maori. Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Helen Buckland-Wright is opposed to the removal of the paper. The panel hears why.