ABC Wantok Program for 3 June 2026.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jonathan Milne, Jenna Lynch and Peter Dunne. First: Is New Zealand "freeloading" off America's military, as suggested by US Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth? And how do panellists score the political management of Chris Penk's comments supporting a nuclear "conversation"? Then, Wellington Mayor Andrew Little is unimpressed by the Government's deadline to plan amalgamation, with just 10 weeks to go.

The latest news from Melanesia.

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 comes along to explain the mysteries of spelling in the English language. Why is it the perfect language for Spelling Bees?

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

In part two, an Auckland woman is trying to get a memorial bench installed to honour her 21 year-old son who tragically died last year. But the decision to approve it isn't so straightforward for the local board. Then, a slice of Kiwiana is up for grabs as the tiny Southern town of Milton auctions the old one off.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ben Thomas and Verity Johnson. First up, Ministers were advised that the new move on orders would clog up already-stretched court systems. That's a price they're willing to pay, but Criminal Bar Association president Annabel Cresswell doesn't think lawyers would agree. Then, a Rotorua primary school principal is fighting with the council about a 'chaotic' pedestrian crossing right next to a busy roundabout.

News from the business sector, including a market report

Sometimes watching and listening to other people's exertion can be quite relaxing.

The All Whites had one of their newest and most influential fans in the stands in Florida for today's World Cup warm-up game against Haiti. Argentine social media star Valen Scarsini, known as El Scarso, was there to meet defender Tim Payne who now has 4 million followers on social media thanks to the South American. However, New Zealand's first game since Payne put the team in the international spotlight in a new way was a 4-nil loss. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.