The Panel with Jo McCarroll and David Downs, Part 2

In this episode of RNZ's All Programmes, Jo McCarroll and David Downs continue their panel discussion with a mix of social commentary, policy debate, and lighthearted banter. The conversation opens with reflections on changing Easter trading laws, emphasizing the disproportionate impact on vulnerable workers in hospitality and retail, and a call for personal responsibility from non-religious individuals who still expect a day off. The hosts then spotlight Young Enterprise, a youth entrepreneurship programme benefiting from the Duke of Edinburgh’s golf cup initiative in New Zealand, celebrating its role in empowering 5,000 students annually. A major segment focuses on the proposed reduction of New Zealand’s open-road speed limit from 100 km/h to 90 km/h, with Dr. Ingrid Johnson of the Australasian College of Road Safety presenting evidence that such a change could save 100–140 lives and reduce fuel consumption by 5–7%. The panel debates enforcement challenges and driver attitudes, with personal anecdotes from both hosts and a powerful text from a former highway policing officer underscoring the human cost of speeding. The discussion shifts to a fun, imaginative debate: choosing between cream or marshmallow Easter eggs for a Mars mission, with Jo and Liz ultimately favoring marshmallow due to superior taste and authenticity. The episode closes with a feature on Todd Holmes, a Canterbury-based scarecrow artist whose elaborate, moving, and sound-equipped creations bring joy to the community and raise funds for charity, blending whimsy with engineering prowess.