The Panel

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.