In part two, another view of the controversial decision to remove all Maori words, except for characters' names, from any new books for early readers. Dr Michael Johnston, Senior Fellow at The New Zealand Initiative, says beginning readers need one language at a time. And then they hear from Outwest Youth, a West Auckland youth trust which offers learner driver lessons desperately needs a new car.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ali Jones and Simon Pound. First up, thousands of secondary school teachers walked off the job today in a dispute over pay. The Panel talks to Paul Stevens, a teacher at Auckland's Rangitoto College and a PPTA representative. Then they hear from independant Cameron Bagrie about the Reserve Banks decision to whack 25 points off the OCR - what does it mean for mortgage holders looking to refix?

Wallace Chapman previews 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: fashion writer and bFM Thursday Morning Glory host Emma Gleason is in the studio to talk fashion, this week she's unpacking the recent cultural appropriation controversy between Adidas and the good nation of Mexico.

In part two, a small Canterbury town is up in arms over a proposal by police that will see them lose their local bobby. And the Panel hear from the creator of an app that links people up with cheap 'rescue food'.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Kirsty Cameron and Stephen. First up, new data shows reading and writing levels for school children are dire. The Education minister Erica Stanford unveiled a new government strategy aimed at reversing the downward trend and imporving handwriting. And they also discuss the pros and cons for nuclear power, particularly now data centres for AI demand huge amounts of power. has nuclear power's time come?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. Then: some Christchurch building owners are going high-tech in their battle against hundreds of seagulls terrorising the area. Wallace talks to Aaron Plumridge is the director of Atom Essential Services who's installed an EMF system for one such owner.

In part two, the Government has been reviewing changes to the Total Mobility card scheme since 2023. but organisations like Blind Low Vision are worried that chanegs will be made with no public consultation. Then they talk to train mad Chris Dirks who has made a live map of Auckland's train network adn turned it into a business.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Sally Wenley and Peter Fa'afiu. First up, the government has announced it's making major changes to the building consent system; The Panel discusses if this may mean a return to leaky buildings. Then The Panel mulls over news that David Seymour sought advice on the benefits of making wearing bicycle helmets voluntary. The Ministry for Regulation told him it would lead to more deaths and as a result no further action has been taken. But is there a case for it?

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.