The Panel

In part two, the Panel discusses a year of job cuts, everyone knows someone who has been hit by industry closures or corporate restructuring: will 2026 be more of the same? Then, we get into the nitty gritty of the bombshell revelations of the IPCA report into Police mishandling of sexual misconduct complaints. Has trust in the Police taken a knock?

Tonight, live from Revelry bar on Ponsonby Road Auckland, the Panel comes to your ear holes for a riveting hour of pub politics and current affairs. Joining Wallace for a look at some of the year's biggest issues is Heather Roy (ex ACT MP), Holly Bennett (former advisor to Minister Paul Goldsmith and founder of kaupapa Maori government relations firm Awhi), Phil Goff (former Auckland mayor) and Simon Wilson (senior writer NZ Herald). In this first hour the Panel discusses the brand-new reform of the Resource Management Act; a look at Auckland and the year out biggest city has endured; what's happened in education and how educators have been hit with a wave of new curriculum and after five years is New Zealand ready to decriminalise drugs?

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: it's been billed as the biggest mistake a New Zealand politician has ever made. In 1975 Robert Muldoon, newly elected to power, scrapped the previous Labour government's plan to start a compulsory saving scheme; in parts very KiwiSaver-like. It's estimated the collective KiwiSaver kitty would now hold $750 million dollars. Why did he do it and what happened during this pivotal moment in our history?

In part two, Netflix has agreed to buy Warner Bros Discovery in a $72 billion US dollar deal. What does that mean for us here in New Zealand and, indeed, the world? Then, the Queenstown Toy Library committee is fundraising for a complete glow up - click through to learn how to give them a hand.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ali Jones and Andie McCombs. First up, is summer too long? Business advisor Toss Grumely argued in an opinion piece last week that New Zealand's productivity is hindered by the leisurely month-long breaks many of our businesses take. Is he right? The Panel investigates. Then, newly built townhouses are overheating so badly they're almost unlivable. The Panel hears from an architect about why this happening and what can be done.

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

In part two, a music lecturer says streaming platform Spotify is ghosting local music, as listener stats plummet. Jesse Austin-Stewart joins the panel. Finally, a 92 year-old Te Awamutu local has proven it's never too late to try something new, getting his first ever tattoo for his birthday. Peter Judson explains why he wanted to get inked.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Ed McKnight and Verity Johnson. First up, a Palmerston North based tenancy advocate was appalled to discover a local property for rent with stained walls, peeling carpet and filthy kitchen tops. Then, should street names be privatised? Dunedin councillor Benedict Ong thinks so, as a method to lower rates.

Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa Guest preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.