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Relationships cost money.  It's not just about date nights at expensive restaurants, fancy shoes, or a new watch for Valentine's Day.  It's moving in together, splitting the power bill, signing on to the rent. At what point in the relationship should you join your finances, and how should you go about it?  Then there's the other side of the relationship - the part no one tends to plan for. The end of it.  Are prenups just for the ultra-wealthy, or should we all have gotten one?  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's a fairly universal amount of food people should be eating every day.  It varies based on things like age and height - but for the most part, most adults should be aiming for a certain number of calories and macros.  But when you start getting a bit more active, working out more regularly or making changes to a sedentary lifestyle, you'll find yourself feeling more hungry, more often. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From today, New Zealanders will be able to get prescriptions that won't need to be renewed through their GPs for a whole year.  The change will impact those with long-term conditions like asthma and epilepsy.  GPs will decide on a case by case basis whether it's safe to prescribe a medication for the full 12 months, and patients will no longer have to see their GP every 3 months for a new script.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Waitangi Day this Friday and after opting to spend the day at a marae in Akaroa last year, this year Christopher Luxon will be in town to meet with iwi.  A recent RNZ-Reid poll found 62% of kiwis think it's important for the prime minister to be in Waitangi for Waitangi Day, but previous PMs have all had different approaches.  Ngapuhi chairperson Mane Tahere joins to preview the week ahead.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Schools have started back up and we all, obviously, want our children to do well.  Parents will be doing drop off and pick up, making sure the homework is done and forms are signed, keeping an eye on grades and reports.  But how involved should parents really be in their children's education? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's biggest bank, ANZ, has downgraded its forecast for property prices this year.  It says its previous forecast of 5% is looking unrealistic as the OCR looks to be making a turn soon and market prices are already falling - now saying a 2% rise is more likely.  Meanwhile, economists are laying out their predictions for when we'll see the OCR make that turn.  Many say it won't be until 2027, but some are predicting a rise as soon as the second half of this year.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by Luke Dallow and Paul Spoonley to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As you get older, your health becomes more and more of a worry, so life insurance seems like a no-brainer. But is it? Do you really need it after the mortgage is paid and the kids are on their own? And what policies are must-haves, against ones that are just nice to have?  Financial Author Martin Hawes joins Tim Beveridge to give his insurance advice and explain the pros and cons of different policies.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A GP is often the first port of call when you're feeling under the weather, but how do you choose the right one? Dr Bryan Betty joins Tim Beveridge to discuss what to keep an eye out for, what to avoid, and whether or not you should do some internet research to help solve your illnesses. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man who snatched a 3-year-old girl from a Rotorua daycare centre with the intention to rape her will be released from jail in just over six weeks after serving one year in jail.  His release comes under strict conditions including six months of standard release conditions, and he must adhere to other special conditions set out in his probation report. This case has raised questions around sentencing discounts going too far, and Criminal Lawyer Steve Cullen told Tim Beveridge that it's a difficult task to balance sentencing discounts with maintaining a streamlined judicial system.  He also added that any moves from the government to limit the discretion of Judges is not helpful for the system.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Associate Education Minister David Seymour has welcomed provisional Term 4 attendance data, which shows attendance rates were higher than any Term 4 since 2022. Data shows that in Term 4 of 2025, 57.3% of students attended school regularly, which is an increase from 56.4% in Term 4 of 2024. He told Tim Beveridge that although the numbers are promising, there is still more work to be done.  He said that it's not just about getting students back to the school gates, but also reintegrating them into the education system so students don't feel behind on their education.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the hottest topics of the modern era is kids and smartphones. As we've seen more of the what the internet can do (for better or worse) they seem like an essential part of life. Wallet, Keys, Phone, that's what you always keep on you.  A first phone is typically only for texting mum and dad, so why do you need a device that has the capability for so much more?  Child Psychologist Sara Chatwin joins Tim Beveridge to give her advice on when to let kids get their own devices and how to manage them. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normally when property comes up in discussion, it's focused on the plight of the youngsters who are fighting to get on to the property ladder. But today, we're switching it up a bit. Your house is likely the most expensive thing you own, that applies for everyone who's lucky enough to own one. So how do you manage your money with it? How old is too old to be investing in property? Are you worried that you've left it too late? At what point does it stop being worth it?  Managing director of property investment company Opes Partners Andrew Nicol joins Tim Beveridge to give advice on property investment.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week on The Panel, Tim Beveridge is joined by TV Presenter Mark Crysell and AUT Chemistry Professor Allan Blackman to discuss the biggest stories from the week that was.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Confidence in New Zealand's rural sector has really started recovering over the past year or so.  Stabilising interest rates, great dairy results, and promising meat exports have formed a foundation for what will hopefully be a successful 2026.  Confidence dropped slightly in the last quarter of last year, but it's still much higher than it has been over previous years.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.