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: the not-so secret pleasures of corduroy with fashion writer Emma Gleason.

The latest RNZ Pacific news and sport.

In part two, some Christchurch city residents are essentially living in a ghost town, as a large portion of new builds get syphoned off for temporary accommodation like Airbnb. Permanent residents are sick of dealing with overflowing bins, or the rogue fire alarms. The Panel hears from a inner city resident who has submitted to the council. Then, a community shuttle service from Oamaru to Dunedin has gone from strength to strength, filling a public transport gap. Trevor Goodwin is the driving force behind the volunteer service.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Nichole Lewis and Allan Blackman. First up, the stories are still rolling in about the horror hour of rain in Wellington. The Panel talks to Dana McDonald, lead teacher at South Wellington Montessori who are waiting for a temporary location to teach from. Then, why did we have so much warning for Cyclone Vaianu, but virtually none for the extreme rain in the lower North island this week? Dr Sally Potter, social scientist and warnings consultant, discusses the social science of weather warnings.

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about how in Australia, the retail giant Woolworth's has been fronting allegations its been offering customers dodgy discounts and how there's a campaign to recruit New Zealand bus drivers to Australian shores.

News from the business sector, including a market report.

New All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has put the final touches on his management group, which sees the return of old faces. One of the returnees is mental skills coach Dr Gilbert Enoka - the man behind the team's 'no dickheads' policy of nearly two decades ago. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

The family's back together again, with Cook Islands Prime Minister Mark Brown describing China as "a very good friend" while New Zealand is "family". The reunion between Cook Islands and Aotearoa was sealed with a defence agreement, signed this month. It follwed a major falling out between the two governments after the Cooks signed a strategic agreement with China last year. Cook Islands did not consult New Zealand on the deal despite repeated requests from the bigger nation. Eventually New Zealand paused nearly $30 million dollars in funding. Cook Islands prime minister Mark Brown spoke to Lisa Owen.

The Prime Minister emerged from closed door meeting, that lasted more than two and half hours and said he has the support of his MPs, as their leader. In the face of speculation, bad poll results and dissent in the ranks Christopher Luxon confirmed he moved a motion of confidence in his leadership. Former National party chief press secretary and political commentator Janet Wilson.