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The Panel for Tuesday 19 August 2025

The Pre-Panel for 19 August 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 Kirsty Cameron and Stephen McCabe Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Kirsty Cameron and Stephen.

First up, new data shows reading and writing levels for school children are dire. The Education minister Erica Stanford unveiled a new government strategy aimed at reversing the downward trend and improving handwriting. And they also discuss the pros and cons for nuclear power, particularly now data centres for AI demand huge amounts of power. has nuclear power's time come? 

Over the years, NASA has funded multiple nuclear reactor research projects.

Over the years, NASA has funded multiple nuclear reactor research projects. Photo: ABC Four Corners: Ryan Sheridan

The Panel with  Kirsty Cameron and Stephen McCabe  Part 2

In part two, a small Canterbury town is up in arms over a proposal by police that will see them lose their local bobby. And the Panel hear from the creator of an app that links people up with cheap 'rescue food'. 

Illustration of various pantry items on shelfs.

Items listed at the beginning of the ingredient list are those that make up the bulk of the product. Photo: Unsplash / Diliara Garifullina

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: fashion writer and bFM Thursday Morning Glory host Emma Gleason is in the studio to talk fashion; this week she's unpacking the recent cultural appropriation controversy between Adidas and the good nation of Mexico.  

The Mexican flag flying near the cathedral in Mexico City.

Photo: 123rf