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The Pre-Panel for 30 July 2025 

Jesse Mulligan is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer José Barbosa to preview this evening's marlarky.

Relaxed smile portrait of Wallace Chapman on grey background

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Allan Blackman and Cindy Mitchener Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Allan Blackman and Cindy Mitchener.

Starting off, the Panel hears from a kiwi living in Japan and their experience after tsunami warnings followed a massive Russian earthquake, They also talk to an Emergency Department nurse who along with their colleagues are striking over safer working conditions today, and a  true blue GIRL racer responds to new anti "boy racer" legislation.

Nurses and healthcare assistants strike outside Britomart Station in Auckland.

Photo: Wallace Chapman

The Panel with Allan Blackman and Cindy Mitchener Part 2

The Panel talks to a school principal who is cutting back on those troublesome school lunches because their students don't eat them. They also pay tribute to Gisborne's Muirs Bookshop which celebrates 120 years in business this month:  what's their secret sauce?  

Hot school lunches at Te Puke Intermediate School.

Te Puke Intermediate School says its school lunches were delivered so hot, containers have exploded. Photo: Supplied

The Panel Plus

 An extra half hour of The Panel with Wallace Chapman, where he's joined by Nights host Emile Donovan. 

Then Wallace is joined by Rev Dr Mervyn Duffy who is here to do a deep dive on the catholic practice of confession - what really happens in the booth?  

The confessional

The confessional Photo: Catholic Herald.co.uk

The Wednesday Politics Panel 30 July

It's another hit of the most insightful and sharp 30 minutes in political analysis. Today Wallace is joined by journalists Patrick Gower and Andrea Vance. They are joined by former ACT MP Heather Roy.

Together they examine and debate the main political stories of the week: the politics of austerity, does the government risk reaching the ends of the public's patience by pushing funding cuts; are the minor parties of the coalition overriding the government; are the changes to voting enrolment laws justified and should we be able to boo politicians? 

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the netball game.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at the netball. Photo: Screenshot