The Panel

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Jacqui van Der Kaay, Guyon Espiner and Marian Hobbs. We talk all about the US midterm elections, where it looks like a blue democrat wave, should Michael laws be removed as a NZ First candidate after sexist comments about a Opportunity party candidate? How does the panel think parliament will end up after the election? And why was it so much about overhangs? And finally are those big fat pens in polling booths hurting democracy?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan.

First up, a blue wave in the US midterm elections, the Democrats look likely to take back Congress. US correspondent Mitch McCann joins the panel from Ohio. Then, is the health system failing people with autism and ADHD as a huge backlog creates delayed diagnoses. The panel talks to psychologist Celia Falchi And if there's one issue that causes contention in local councils, it is speed bumps. Are they helpful, or not? In sunny Nelson, that argument has been raging on in one particular neighbourhood. After bumps were introduced, some residents were distressed by the consequences - such as Jeremy, who spoke to us in March. But now the council have removed the bumps, how safe is the road? Finally, If you're heading on a roadtrip down south, you'll soon be paying to use the toilets in Tekapo, Fairlie and Twizel. The council has agreed to introduce an app-based system from Waitangi weekend next year, which will charge users a dollar fifty each time. The panel talks to Chris Wagner, founder of the Penny app.

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 joins Wallace to discuss election day fashion, what to wear, what not to wear and who has the best and worst merch!

First up, we head overseas to the USA where the midterm elections are about to take place. The panel talks to Dr Nick Bordeleau from Flinders University. Then, Kapiti College is receiving criticism for selecting an all-boy line up of head students. They don't use the traditional head boy and head girl roles, but instead select head students on merit. Albany Senior High School principal and sometime panellist Claire Amos joins the panel to discuss the issue. And: many of you who grew up in the North Island will have treasured memories of a waterpark in Hastings, which goes by the name of Splash Planet. But with cost pressures hitting the local council its days may be numbered. The panel talks to Hastings mayor Wendy Schollum. Finally, a year ago, Enni Amanda's romance novel made it onto the big flashy screens of an American chat show. That set things off overnight, and now, she's celebrated the launch of her tenth book, Falling Slowly.

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: illustrator Toby Morris has a new book out; it's a collection of his popular Sunday Star Times column where he regularly drew random New Zealanders out and about for two years. He joins Wallace to talk about the project and what he's learnt about New Zealanders.

First up, the panel mulls over an opinion piece that makes the case that New Zealand needs an independent watchdog to cost election promises. The panel talks to Dr Oliver Hartwich, Executive Director of The New Zealand Initiative. Then, Christchurch is to get a 12-month trial of commuter rail. Dave Macpherson, spokesperson for advocacy group, The Future is Rail is over the moon, but ... there's a fishhook in the proposal. And Brando Yelavich is on a one-man mission to clear a section of Coromandel bush from dumped rubbish. He says he's doing the community a service and wants his rubbish tip fees waived. Finally, the panel talks to a veteran hunter, Dink Watson, about his desire to make turkey hunting popular in New Zealand.

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.