RNZ: The Panel

This week on The Whip, panellists Ruwani Perera, David Farrar and Sue Bradford begin with Winston Peter's shocking move on Palestine statehood recognition. Then they unpack the government's electricity sector changes unveilled today, and the question everyone's asking: do they go far enough to bring power prices down? Then, with less than two weeks left to vote in local body elections, the panellists take a look at the 10 percent turnout so far in Auckland.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: how do telephones work? Wallace speaks to an expert in the field, Brian Potter. He started as a telephone exchange engineer at the New Zealand Post Office in 1971, and these days he shares his knowledge at MOTAT's telecomms section.

In part two, how do you cope in a season of workplace restructures and job losses? Psychologist Dougal Sutherland explains how you can support yourself, and your colleagues. Then, New Zealanders love our giant sculptures, but is $300,000 too much to spend to restore the Rakaia salmon? Local councillors are divided.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Michael Moynahan and Jenni Giblin. First up, the cost of power is front of mind today as the government announces an energy sector shake up. But the changes fall short of what's required to bring prices down in the short term, say critics. Then, a new nationwide study looking at nitrate levels in drinking water outlines grave concerns for rural Cantabrians and Southlanders. Lead author Karyne Rogers explains.

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: it's another hit of Kiwi Nuggets, our look at New Zealand design history. This week: the Scanospheric Electronic Pool Table, the Deloran of pool tables.

In part two, the road cone hotline has been cranking along, it's had its detractors, but the number of reports received suggests that it's a popular move for punters, with over a thousand tips in the first few months. Then, we're heading to little Taranaki town of Hawera now, where window painter Mel Graham has been painting temporary murals on shopfront windows for years, and demand for her work is booming.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Cindy Mitchener and Allan Blackman First up, a collection of unions have suggested a radical idea to bring down power prices: why not return the electricity generators back to 100 % public ownership? The Panel discusses the pros and cons. Then, overnight Donald Trump has reiterated his intention to impose one hundred percent tariffs on all films made outside of the US. So as the world order shifts, is there a case to be made for New Zealand to align with a different centre of global economic power?

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: our cities have no shortage of soil, from sports fields to berms lining most streets. But infrastructure works are compacting the soil to the point where it can't act like the sponge it should be in flooding events. Water design expert Sue Ira digs into the issue.

In part two, is it a pond or a pool? Motueka lodge owners battled with the council for years over a small body of water that has frogs and tadpoles in it. Then, rainy days in Invercargill have just got better with a spruce up of the local bowling alley, Retrobowl. The panel catches up with owner Angela Caughey.

Tonight, on The is joined by panellists Aimie Hines and Richard Pamatatau. First up, Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters turned heads over the weekend by announcing that New Zealand would not yet recognise a Palestinian state. He told the UN General Assembly such a move would be used by Hamas as a bargianing chip. The panel hears reaction from Maher Nazzal, co-chair of the Palestine Solidarity Network Aotearoa. Then, rules measuring the risk of earthquake damage to buildings will be relaxed, as announced by the government today. Property Council chief executive Leonie Freeman says it will save building owners billions.

Jesse is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

In part two, Winston peetrs will reveal to the world at the UN if New Zealand will formally recognise Palestine. Why the stringing out of the decision? Is it all political theatre? And what impact will it have? Then, Panel listener Dave responded to our call for great travel stories and he has a doozy about cycling the Karakorum highway.

First up, migrant bus drivers say English language test for the skilled residence visa are completely unrealistic, leading many to fork out large sums for testing or even considering heading back home. Then, it's been confirmed the National MP Carl Bates is under formal investigation for failing to declare 25 properties linked to him and his family to parliament's register of pecuniary interests. It's a story that has gone a little under the radar this week, but commentator Byrce Edwards says parliament is too slack in dealing with MPs interests and she should be paying more attention.

Emile Donovan and producer Tessa Guest preview this evening's show.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Emile Donovan, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Mark Leishman. Then: why is Northland such a hub for banana growers? Emile talks to a boutique banana grower to learn the secrets of growing commercial bananas.

In part two, a foundation is providing what it thinks is the solution to the severe lack of coaches and volunteers in community sport. Then, Garden Place Must Evolve is the name of an event taking place in Hamilton tonight. The topic? what to do with the central city's most obvious eyesore.

Tonight, on The Panel, Emile Donovan is joined by panellists Kathryn Graham and Conor English. First up, from today the oil and gas exploration ban has officially been removed, leaving any manner of business entities to apply for contracts to search for more fossil fuels. Then, they call themselves "Trump boys", reports of New Zealand school children radicalised through misogynistic social media like that of Andrew Tate.

Emile Donovan & Jose Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

It's another hit of the most insightful and sharp 30 minutes in political analysis. Panellists Fran O'Sullivan, Andrea Vance and Marian Hobbs join Wallace to discuss: the NZ Herald Mood of the Boardroom survey, business wants the government to pick up their game; a new Reserve Bank Governor has been appointed, is this the breath of fresh air the central bank needed?; Trump gave a rambling and at times alarming speech at the UN, what does this tell us about where the US and the world is heading? and rate rises: local elections have turned up the heat on the issue, and 350 candidates and signed a pledge to oppose rises that exceed inflation, but is that a realistic promise?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin. Rory O'Sullivan our in-house linguist arrives to wow us once again with the mysterious power of words, before a few listeners ring in with TV show recommendations.

In part two, a prime block of land has been left vacant. It's right across the road from a popular beach in Nelson and now will become ... a car wash. Some locals are worried that such pieces of prime land can be used in such a "low value" way. Then, those big carrots and L&P bottles look great and are fun, but need money. Riverton/Aparima in Southland has been protected by a giant 4 metre tall Paua shell for years and the local community board has been hit by an unexpected and unbudgeted for repair bill.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Verity Johnson and Ed McKnight. First up, a new Reserve Bank governor has been appointed and Dr Anna Breman will be the first women in the role in New Zealand. How significant is this and how important is the appointment for women in economics? Then, Auckland Council is voting on whether to keep going with what's known at Plan Change 78 which allows for three story houses to be put up anywhere, or a revised plan which incorporates 10-15 storey buildings. Simon Wilson brings us the latest from a very contentious debate.

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Auckland's Morrisons Funeral's have 700 unclaimed ashes and time is running out for people to collect their loved ones. Wallace talks to manager Natasha Plunkett about why some of these ashes (some have been there for nearly 100 years) have been left behind.

In part two, a building insurance expert says the government's plans for changing liability risk leaving homeowners out in the cold. Then, are you being asked to perform non-promotable tasks at work? These are the little invisible jobs like emptying the dishwasher or performing a mihi. When is this ok and when is it not?

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jo McCarroll and Tim Batt. First up, the government has confirmed it is going ahead with changes to the Holiday Act. How might that affect how you take leave? Find out on the Panel with a payroll expert. Then, the Trump administration seems to be kicking it up a notch in the authoritarian stakes with a campaign targetting critics of the slain far-right activist Charlie Kirk. How do pervious periods of US history where democracy appeared to be under threat?

Jesse is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: instant noodles are a beloved budget meal option. Waikato University history lecturer Chip Van Dyke has done a deep dive into their origin story.

In part two, a PWC receiver says businesses should be wary of making big up front investment in a climate of high insolvencies. Then, friends of the Onehunga Community House are taking a trip down memory lane, holding an afternoon tea "like your grandmother used to have" - think scones, asparagus rolls, the works.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ben Thomas and Niki Bezzant. First up, Canada, Australia and the UK have announced they recgonise the Palestinian state. Will New Zealand follow suit? Then, 16 percent of candidates in the local government elections have signed up to a Taxpayer's Union pledge to keep rates rises below the the level of inflation - but economists warn that may not be feasible.

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

In part two, a retirement village has banned booze but under our current licensing laws what is really legal here? Once we've reached retirement, haven't we earned the right to have alcohol with our peers in retirement villages we're paying for? Then, we touch base with Carterton Space Week where NASA scientists are hanging out this week in one of our official Dark Sky Reserves.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Mary Lambie and Chris Wikaira. First up, electronic bail violations are increasing which is concerning for victims, but what's the cause behind it? Then, Lake Hawera residents are concerned that lowering the lake levels could have a devastating impact under the fast track bill. Could the old Lake Onslow scheme be the answer to our electricity woes? A new group is exploring that idea.

Jesse is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Dean and Phil O'Reilly First up, according to GDP figures out today the economy is in the toilet. Finance Mnister Nicola Willis balmes Trump's tariffs, but is that really the case and should we be worried? Then, it's been almost a year of visitors paying $100 for the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. Has the money gone back into tourism and conservation? According to the budget the government has been sitting on it.

Jesse is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's show.

It's another hit of the most insightful and sharp 30 minutes in political analysis. Panellists Heather Roy, Maria Slade and Corin Dann debate the big political stories of the day. Including the latest political poll results; the series of major job losses: what does it mean for the governemnt?; Shane Jones is NZ First deputy, offically now: could he be leader one day? and capital gains tax never dies: most NZers think it'll be in place before 2050.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Wallace talks to Jahmaine Cummings-Hodge, the Chief Operating officer at AU Consulting about the 50 year journey of Te Wiki o te reo Maori.

In part two, we are runnign out of gas and to counter that the government wants to repeal the oil and gas exploration ban. Will it work and what are the risks? Then, the man who wants to sell 3000 artifical eyes.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sarah Perimm-Lamp and Peter Dunne. First up, at a pretrial hearing, a lawyer has called on senior judges to denounce mass police use of a private software and camera system to identify car number plates. The cops say they need it to do their job. Who is right? Then the government is removing art history as a stand alone subject for yeasr 11 to 13. Teachers say it's a shocking loss to the ciriculum.