RNZ: The Panel

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: we mark the return of Andrew Hunt, a semi retired chartered professional engineer of 45 years of rail industry experience for another hit of train facts. Last time it was 'rail gauges', this time we discuss how rail advocacy works.

In part two, according to new research, the mismatch between what's being built and what downsizers want is stark. The panel hears why older New Zealanders aren't buying the home built for them. Then, we talk chickens. Special chickens. This weekend the Dunedin Poultry, Pigeon and Cage Bird Club's annual exhibit will take place. The panel talks to Pip Brosnahan, a Leith Valley homesteader who's developed a passion for breeding heritage chickens.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sue Kedgley and Dean Hall. First up, a social housing shake up was on today's pre-budget menu. Chris Bishop announced reforms that'll save the government 387 million dollars over a twelve month period. It's about to get harder to qualify for a social house, and tenancy durations will be shortened. Then, last year, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced that he was 'deeply supportive' of banning social media for under 16s. But over the weekend the government scrambled to pause a member's bill from National backbencher Catherine Wedd which would see parliament vote on the social media ban. Why the cold feet?

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan prove they really can make something out of nothing; Wallace also previews what's on The Panel this evening.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Phil Goff and Tuwhenuaroa Natanahira. On the slab for discussion today: the government's public service cuts; Winston Peters and the resurrection of the BNZ, the NCEA replacement and the return of grades; regulations minister David Seymour says the country's regulators is a "twisted spaghetti" and is the government walking a tightrope between Crown and Maori relations?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: linguist Rory O'Sullivan is in the studio to discuss "parent-ese" and weather you should change how you talk to your baby?

In part two, the new route of the Nelson Great Taste Trail ride runs through private land and farmers say it'll impact their working farms. Nelson Tasman Cycling Trails Trust chair Gillian Wratt joins the panel. Then, following last night's discussion about composting toilets, we talk to Alison who has one and swears by it.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Nichole Lewis and Andrew Clay. First up, the sting of nearly nine thousand public sector jobs going is still setting in, and nowhere will that pain be felt more than Wellington. The panel hears from Kirsten Saunders, the owner of Smith the Grocer Cafe, in the Old Bank Arcade on Lambton Quay. Then, it's no secret that rates alone aren't cutting it for councils, with budgets stretched to the max. And now, Local Government New Zealand says it's about time the beehive heavyweights start sharing GST revenue from new builds. Hauraki District Mayor Toby Adams joins the panel.

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they preview tonight's edition 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: award winning fashion writer Emma Gleason asks why ugly shoes are the trend for 2026 and she asks: if fashion is art, then should it be funded by Creative NZ?

In part two, inner city Wellington residents are fighting back after two beloved bus stops were painted over by the council. Why the big fuss? Then, the Menz Shed branch that has made over fifteen thousand pest traps, free of charge.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Niki Bezzant and Conor English. First up, nine thousand public service jobs to go says Nicola Willis in another pre-budget announcement. What will this mean and will the savings really be that significant? Then, is New Zealand a tax haven like Bermuda or the Cayman Islands? The Australians seem to think so.

The little show that can! Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan take on the big, and not so big issues as they preview tonight's edition 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: The Spinoff's staff writer Joel MacManus says he has proof the sausage sizzle was created in New Zealand/Aotearoa and NOT Australia. He joins Wallace for a trip down culinary history.

In part two, sharemilker Gavin Hogarth's small milk business is shut down due to changing weather and increasing fuel costs. He says his story is only the tip of the iceberg. Then, a study by InternetNZ found a third of New Zealanders aged over 70 spent more than four hours a day online. Dorothy is not one of them. She describes herself as a 'digital resist-nik'.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jo McCarroll and Vinny Holloway. First up, the government has announced a funding boost to the primary school budget and crowed about better maths scores. But in this case does 1 +1 equal 2? Then, NZ First wants to create the first Kiwisaver generation - compulsory Kiwisaver from birth with $1000 in the bank. Could this be a gamechanger or does the cost to the country negate any advancements.

Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan take on the big, and not so big issues as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.

The Oamaru art gallery owner and her stoush with the local council, and  would you try and lift 100kg for $100 cash? 

We're not having enough babies, so what's the answer? And what we can learn from Defence Force schemes for youth.

Wallace Chapman and producer Angie Skerrett 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, an expert explanation on the age old question: is space finite? Click this link to see how Professor David Wiltshire of Canterbury university breaks it down.

Shock in Tauranga at plans to close two local libraries on a Sunday, and Twizel could soon be the home to the largest collection of earth moving machinery in the country.

The pre-budget announcement for a paediatric palliative service, and the possible partial sell-off of Kiwibank.

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jenna Lynch, Corin Dann and Heather Roy.

Christchurch City Council is moving ahead with plans to clamp down on short term accommodation, and we meet Wallace the rescue dog.

The panel discusses the Prime Minister's annual pre-Budget speech, plus should children be allowed to take home leftovers from the school lunch programme.

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel

Nights host Emile Donovan.joins The Panel, and we look at the design of the Zespri 'spife'

A Christchurch Go-Kart club is getting one last chance to find a new home, and an episode of civilian versus council.  

The Government's plan to amend climate laws, and reaction to the scrapping of the fees-free university scheme.

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman and Jesse Mulligan will attempt to make you smile as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel. [picture id="4K9B613_Wallace_jpg" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: have you ever opted for a pair of $2 shop glasses to avoid the cost of eye test and prescription specs? You're not alone, and a group of Auckland University researchers say that's an avoidable problem.

In part two, a reference to the Duke of York will be removed from a commemorative plaque in Nelson, but not all councillors agree. Then, there's no time like a fuel crisis to consider ditching the car for the daily commute. Co-founder and co-director of the Wednesday Challenge, Heidi Hughes, makes the case for wheels and walking one day a week.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Zoe George and Peter Field. First up, a new political party has entered the fore: Te Tai Tokerau Party, lead by former Te Pāti Māori MP, Mariameno Kapa-Kingi. Then, what would hurt New Zealand more than the blockage of the Strait of Hormuz? A blockage of the Taiwan Strait. Independent journalist Anna Fifield explains.

The show within a show, the little show that could, call it what you will, Wallace Chapman, Jesse Mulligan and producer Tessa Guest make you smile as they preview tonight's edition of The Panel.

In part two, as the winter sport season gets underway, so to comes the onslaught of poor sideline behaviour. Hadyn Jones is championing the cause of being nice on the sidelines. Then, the world celebrates 100 years of David Attenborough. Otago University botanist Janice Lord shares how the iconic conservationist and documentarian has inspired her work.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Leonie Freeman and Simon Wilson. First up, new immigration rules will require prospect citizens to take a test on New Zealand values. Does this point us towards a US approach? Auckland University social work Professor Jay Marlow thinks so. Then, do 3D-printed guns pose a threat to New Zealand? Hundreds of blueprints are easily findable online, and police seized nearly 100 of them last year.

The show within a show, the little show that could. Wallace Chapman, Jesse Mulligan and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's edition 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: railway expert Andrew Hunt explains an aspect of New Zealand's railway network which some people believe causes major restrictions to capacity.

In part two, apartment residents at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter are outraged by a prospective 23 story tower, which would block their sunlight and views. But Patrick Reynolds disagrees - he's an urbanist and deputy chair of a City Centre Advisory Panel. Then, esports are all the rage in Taranaki, where 60 school kids are going head-to-head in an iwi-lead tournament.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sarah Perriam-Lampp and Ben Thomas. First up, the government's attempts to entice an international supermarket brans to New Zealand have so far fallen flat. Grocery Action Group member Sue Chetwin gives her theories about why that might be the case. Then, a group of Christchurch kids spend their school holidays building a bike park, before the council came along and flattened it. Local dad Duncan Hunter has his say.