RNZ: The Panel

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: toetoe. They're the fluffy, friendly plants that line our coastline. But can you single them out from their invasive doppelgänger? Native Restorations founder Terry Stewart describes their differences.

In part two, screentime is on the rise, and hours of sleep are trending down for New Zealand's kids. What does that mean for our future workforce? Then, Dunedin possum patrol is out on the prowl this week for the annual city-wide pest census.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ed McKnight and Niki Bezzant. First up, National and the Greens have presented two different solutions to New Zealand's looming financial uncertainty. Tax expert Bruce Bernacchi compared the two. Then, heartbreak across the country as New Zealand watched Egypt beat the All Whites today. The Panel's own World Cup correspondent Rory O'Sullivan joins live from Vancouver.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

In part two, Northland's council is warning people on the hunt for a cheap second hand boat, that if the price is the best bargain you've ever seen, it's probably not quite the steal you think it is. Jim Lyle, Northland Regional Council harbourmaster, explains. Then, thousands of teens across the country will swap home comforts for tough challenges. All for the annual World Vision 40 Hour Challenge. The challenge has changed a lot in the years its been held. Hanna Taylor Moller, Head of Pacific Partnerships, World Vision New Zealand rings in to explain what the 2026 challenge looks like.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Penny Ashton and David Farrar. First up, MPs perks have been deeply scrutinised lately. They're unapologetic about the perks, but are we paying politicians more than what they'd get in the private sector? And if not should they? Geoff Plimmer, associate professor for the school of business and government in Victoria University, joins the panel to discuss. Then, a traffic island at the end of Courtenay Place is the only physical evidence of the Golden Mile dream - now it may have to be altered. Wellington columnist Dave Armstrong opines about the now dead project.

Wallace Chapman and Emile Donovan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: after 14 years Ed Taylor is stepping down as general manager of the Warbirds over Wanaka International Air Show. It's a beast of an annual event and much loved by those that attend. Ed joins Wallace to talk about his time in the warbirds cockpit.

In part two, it's often argued that building houses in New Zealand is too expensive, too slow and fraught with uncertainty and often the end result is ugly. Dan Heyworth is the director of Box & Co and he says the solution is a construction sampler box or "pattern book". Then, the North Canterbury Poultry and Pigeon winter show saw many amazing fowl, but Stefanie Kalmakoff's 9-month-old black Araucana took out the Grand Champion Black Araucana award. She joins the panel to describe what it takes to produce a champion chicken.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Zoe George and Vinny Holloway. First up, regional airlines are cutting routes and selling planes to make ends meet, even though Forsyth Barr head of research Andy Bowley said jet fuel prices had fallen steadily in recent days. Dr Damien Mather, from the department of marketing ay the University of marketing discusses about how airlines price their flights. Then, tourism Minister Louise Upston said our local museums are "ancillary" to the international visitor experience. Jaenine Parkinson, chief executive of Museums Aotearoa, begs to differ!

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Stephen Parker, Holly Bennett and Phil Goff. Being discussed tonight: The Greens up and National treading water in some new polls: what does this bode for the election? Immigration Minister Erica Stanford blasted her ministry saying officials "deliberately withheld" information from both her and the previous Labour government: does this suggest a oversight crisis in the public service? Almost all of parliament has backed the 30 year Infrastructure plan and the surprise appointment of lobbyist Matthew Hooton to the role of editor of the Post.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Rory O'Sullivan, master linguist is back and this time with the question: what's in an accent?

In part two, just how hard should it be to get your driver's licence? It can be a golden ticket to employment for young people, but it can also be a nightmare. One listener got in touch with a horror story about their son who is struggling to pass their restricted. Then, speed skating is thriving in Timaru. Kyla is a 15-year-old champion who is fundraising for two international championships later this year. The panel hears from her and her mum Helen who is the skating club secretary.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Claire Amos and Peter Dunne. First up, a pair of polls show National sitting on 29 percent and the Greens on 13 percent; they've nearly doubled their support. The panel hears from former Greens MP Gareth Hughes about what this means. Then, e-scooters: the future of inner-city transport, or a pesky gimmick? The capital city has a thousand of them dotted around and the regional council is deliberating doubling that. the panel hears from Greater Wellington councillor Simon Woolf who is hesitant to have more on the footpaths.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: award winning fashion writer Emma Gleason explains the enduring appeal of Ugly-Cool Sunglasses

In part two, last week we talked to Fisheries NZ and Greenpeace about the damage bottom trawling may or may not do to our ocean floors. This week we get the science involved with Simon Thrush, Professor of Marine Science at Auckland University. Then, Whakatane is spilt over the plans to introduce a $20 boat ramp fee for out-of-towners. Will this damage visitor numbers to the coastal town? The panel finds out straight from Councillor Wilson James.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Dean and Thomas Scrimgeour. First up, we talk to The Panel's World Cup correspondent Rory O'Sullivan (moonlighting from his usual Panel Plus linguist role). Rory will review the nail-biting match between the All Whites and Iran today. Then, immigration New Zealand is in hot water after a damning Scrutiny Week review. The report outlines a laundry list of wrongdoings surrounding a biometric tech upgrade, which ended with 30 million dollars down the drain, and no new system. Political commentator Bryce Edwards surveys the damage. And finally, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced that under-16s will be banned from major social media platforms. How will this latest ban work and what can be learned from the Australian experience? Lisa Given, Professor of Information Sciences at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology discusses with the panel.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: Brendan Ciarán Browne, Associate Professor of Conflict Resolution and Reconciliation at Trinity College in Dublin discusses the week of riots that have plagued Belfast. The anti-migrant protests and violent demonstrations have brought back to the surface the city's experience during the Irish Troubles.

In part two, "Organised Thuggery" - that's the description New Plymouth mayor Max Brough used to describe a mass burnout event involving nearly 100 vehicles. he's had enough and is looking for a fix to the problem. Then, in a social media video produced to promote funding to tackle the spread of wilding pines, ACT MP and former fed Farmers Andrew Hoggard appears to start a chainsaw by pulling on the cord with one hand while holding the main handle mid-air with the other hand. he's using the drop-start method and it's not approved work practice according to Worksafe. The panel hears from Lisa Kendall, a three-time Northern Young farmer of the year and a chainsaw expert, about the safest best way to get your chainsaw humming.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jo McCarroll and Peter Field. First up, youth unemployment is at its highest level in 30 years. So what's is being done about it? The government is doubling the number of places in trades academies. The panel talks to Kylee Jefferies, Principal at Alfriston College, in Manukau, Auckland asks is this the solution? Then, one in twelve clubs have shut up shop since a rewrite of the Incorporated Societies Act took effect in April. Some clubs have said the new rules, including the requirement to re-register, were the nail in the coffin of the admin burden. Rod King, who leads Nelson Stand Up Paddle board club talks to the panel about that burden and why they decided not to register.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

In part two, a large, historic building in Point Chevalier is becoming an eyesore as it sits in limbo. Should it be saved, or rolled to build new apartments? Finally, after an outpouring of Panel listener passion on fruit preserving, expert preserver Gus Hayden shares his top tips.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Steve McCabe and Holly Bennett. First up, bottom trawling has been slipping down the popularity list, with a new Horizons Research survey revealing that half of New Zealanders see it as the biggest threat to our ocean. Then, should big tech companies be allowed to send revenue offshore to avoid local tax bills? Nick Miller of Tax Justice Aotearoa thinks not.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: 48 teams will be playing across USA, Canada and Mexico in the football World Cup and heat stress will be a factor as summer reaches its height in North America. FIFA has installed cooling breaks to help, but is it enough? Wallace talks to Professor Julien Périard, the Director of the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise at the University of Canberra about how heat stress works and how to mitigate it.

In part two, record low alcohol consumption has some arguing that the government should reconsider the excise tax. Eddie Gapper, Vice-Chair of the Brewer's Guild of NZ explains why he thinks they should take a second look. Then, after a sell-out first season 19-year-old Claudia Hopkin's ice cream cart was stolen, ending her business dreams. But there's a happy ending to this story.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Anna Fifield and Simon Pound. First up, it's a merger that could put 620 million dollars into local philanthropy, but some say the proposed purchase of TSB by Heartland Bank will strip Taranaki of an important of its society. New Plymouth District councillor Gordon Brown has started a petition opposed to the merger, he joins the panel to discuss why. Then, Oliver Hartwich of the NZ Initiative says New Zealand's supposedly flexible labour market fails on youth wages. He tells the panel why.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Guyon Espiner, Lillian Hanly and Tracey Martin. First, Labour's first big election policy is out - a weekly cap on public transport fares. Then they look at the controversy surrounding the newly announced Labour candidate who's a top police staffer. And 30 years on, has MMP served New Zealand well?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: resident linguist Rory O'Sullivan answers a listener question about whether there is such thing as a correct emphasis on certain syllables in each word.

In part two, apricot or biscotti? Those are two of the options Timaru councillors chose from for a paint job at the Theatre Royal. Then, you've heard of board game cafes, but how about a remote control cafe? A spot in Auckland's Mt Eden lets people send diggers around a sandpit as they sip their coffee.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Heather Roy and Richard Pamatatau. First up, Labour's first big election policy is out, and it's a $20 weekly cap on public transport fares for those in our biggest cities. That cap is $10 for everywhere else. Urban planning expert Tim Welch shares his reaction. Then, a panel of public health experts are calling for a blanket ban on sugary drinks in schools and early childhood centres.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua.   Then: If you've had a shower in New Zealand, chances are you've encountered locally designed showerheads. Design historian Michael Smythe takes a look at Felton's Feltonmix, and Methven's Satinjet.

In part two, imagine a city without kerbside parking. A pedestrian haven, or a convenience nightmare? Urban Planning professor at the University of Queensland, Dorina Pojani, makes the case for it.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Alan McElroy and Nichole Lewis. First up, virtual fences for cows are gaining momentum. Herds wear electronic collars which pulse when they reach the 'fence' - but among the critics are Vets for Animal Welfare Aotearoa. Then, some schools are worried that a new grading system will attach stigma to those in lower socio economic areas. Porirua Collage Principal Ragne Maxwell explains.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan star in the shortest show on radio, where they show they really can make something out of nothing, join them to be part of their delight, or to simply despair. Wallace will also preview what's on The Panel tonight.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: is strength training the new cardio for life-lengthening workouts? New research from the British Journal of Sports Medicine Suggests so. Exercise NZ chief executive Richard Beddie takes a look at the findings.

In part two, almost 400 hospitality businesses have shut down in the last year. Industry heavyweight Luke Dallow joins the show to discuss what it would take to survive in the current economic conditions. Then, you've heard of a mullet, but what about a skullet? A young rugby player by the name of Charlie James is turning heads for sporting this look (pictured). His mum, Suzanne James, tells her side of the story.