Advertise on podcast: The Panel

In part two, congestion charging is constantly being thrown around as a traffic solution in our two biggest cities - but Auckland University researcher Hyesop Shin says it might not be as effective as it seems. Then, locals in Cardrona valley are getting prickly about the growth of gorse and broom in the area. Residents and Ratepayers Society chairperson Linda Joll explains.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Deborah Hart and David Cunliffe. First up, it's about to get faster and cheaper to get your driver licence - but is that coming at the cost of road safety? Then, tensions between Iran and the US are coming to a head, with a potential meeting to come. Australian National University Emeritus Professor of Middle Eastern Studies, Amin Saikal shares his read on the situation.

Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview 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: Louise Williamson (pseudonym) joins Wallace to recount the unnerving experience of watching her husband fall down the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. Her memoir is called My Husband, the Rabbit Hole and Me: When Marriage Became a Cult.

In part two, the long-awaited Court Theatre in Christchurch has drawn in excited crowds since opening night - but more than a few have left grumbling about cramped seats and restricted views. Reviewer Sophie Gray gives her two cents. Then, with the future of Te Huia still unknown, a weekend rally was held to support the train between Hamilton and Auckland. It drew a crowd of hundreds, complete with Mr Whippy. Rail advocate Lindsey Horne joins the show.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Boopsie Maran and Ed McKnight. First up, GPs and nurse practitioners can now diagnose and prescribe medication for ADHD. But not everyone is convinced this is the right way to tackle the massive backlog on diagnoses. Psychologist Giselle Bahr breaks down her concerns. Then, school principals are being stripped of their ability to weigh in on the justification of absences. The Government says the approach was inconsistent and too lenient - but the president of the New Zealand Principals' Federation, Jason Miles, says it's not so straightforward.

Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

In part two, the All Blacks and South Africa are due to play each other in a match in the US in September. With the ICE shootings and general unrest in America, is it really the best back drop for the match?, asks sports writer Alice Soper. The panel discusses with Alice if politics should or shouldn't stay out of rugby. Then, once again the SPCA are asking for help in finding a home for another long stay dog in their care. Azul has been with the SPCA for just over 300 days. She's sick of being overlooked and is ready to find her forever home. If you think you can offer Azul what she needs, please visit her page on the SPCA website for more info.

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by Penny Ashton and Patrick Phelps. First up, with the recent fatal weather dis related disasters in the North island we have to ask: does our emergency planning match the frequency and extremity of events? The Panel talks to Richard Adams, the founder and director of Taskforce Kiwi, an organisation that offers completely voluntary support in emergencies. Then, the Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has declined Donald Trump's offer for New Zealand to join the Board for Peace. The Panel mulls over the pros and cons of the decision - should we have taken the seat at the table?

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights fill in host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: Jane Young is the co-chair of Forest and Bird's Southern Otago branch and she joins Wallace to explain how the northern hoiho/yellow-eyed penguin are in trouble. The South Island and Rakiura/Stewart Island population has collapsed by 80 percent since 2008. Jan explains why and what can be done to save them.

In part two, do shops close too early? Pip Thompson, general manager of Napier City Business Association, thinks the answer is yes and the panel learns why NZ's retail hours are stuck in the 1970s. Then, meet Flat White Frank. He is an online influencer and he's travelling the world with a mission to find the perfect flat white. Can New Zealand claim to be the global capital of the flat white? Listen to find out?

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Cindy Mitchener and Andie McCombs. First up, as it's the anniversary of the Auckland Anniversary floods, the panel talks to Amy who lost her home in harrowing circumstances. Three years on, she now calls herself a climate refugee. Then, AA Insurance says it will no longer offer new home policies to the residents of flood prone Westport. The former mayor of Buller, Jamie Cleine says central government needs to get on board plans to develop Westport's future resilience. And finally, Dr Samantha Marsh discuses a landmark US court trial involving TikTok, YouTube and Meta over claims the platforms deliberately addict and harm children.

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Corin Dann, Holly Bennett and Tracey Martin. The Whip panel discusses Judith Collins' legacy in politics; the politicians and their response to the extreme and fatal weather events in the Bay of Plenty; the latest political poll and why Winston Peters' has cause to be smiling and the extraordinary ICE crackdown in the US which sees two citizens dead and a White House administration seemingly backing down.

An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights fill-in host Susana Lei'ataua. Then: in-house linguist Rory O'Sullivan examines that linguistically transcendental word: HELLO.