The Panel

The Pre-Panel for 17 December 2025

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

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Nalini Baruch and Richard Pamatatau, Part 1
 
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Nalini Baruch and Richard Pamatatau.
 
First up, the stories of bravery surrounding the Bondi terror attack are still coming through. One man who kicked away the rifle of one of the gunman is a refugee who's been waiting for Australian residency for 13 years. His lawyer, Alison Battisson, joins the programme. 

Then, are New Zealanders for, or against cycleways? The result of a new national survey might surprise you. Cycling Action Network spokesperson Patrick Morgan shares his take.

Photo: The Detail/Tom Kitchin

The Panel with Nalini Baruch and Richard Pamatatau, Part 2
 
In part two, RIP to the short-lived Road Cone Hotline, which will shut down before Christmas. Newsroom journalist and road cone correspondent for The Panel, Fox Meyers joins the show. 

Photo: SCIRT

 
The Panel Plus
 
An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where to begin, he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan.
 
Then, resident linguist Rory O'Sullivan brings along the latest news in language, accent, and questionable word choices.

Photo: Ave Calvar

 
The Whip for 17 December 2025

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Maria Slade, Fran O'Sullivan and Sue Bradford.

They touch briefly on the Bondi shooting, before diving into the newly-announced mega Ministry: the Ministry of Cities, Environment, Regions and Transport. 

Then, they look at some bold calls from ACT leader David Seymour in his end-of-year NZ Herald interview, and finally, they unpack a move from the Reserve Bank to reduce the amount of capital that banks must hold against their loans.

Photo: RNZ / Mark Papalii