The Panel for Wednesday 27 August 2025

The Pre-Panel for 27 August 2025 

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

The Panel with Kathryn Graham and Mark Knoff-Thomas Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Kathryn Graham and Mark Knoff-Thomas.

First up, economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis announced new changes to increase grocery competition and reduce food prices. Will this change the hit we all feel at the till? 
Then, representatives from Uber have made a rare appearance in from of MPs, and a last-ditch plea renewing a call for a retrospective law change that would stop Uber drivers from claiming the same rights as employees for past work. The Panel hears from an employment law expert about the issue and if they have a hope in hell.

The Panel with Kathryn Graham and Mark Knoff-Thomas Part 2

In part two, the Auckland Ratepayers' Alliance is up in arms about a $237,561 council spend on fairy lights. 
Then, the notorious Waipawa duck is set to make an appearance at Spring Fling, an annual festival hosted by the central Hawke's Bay town. The panel learn more about the the duck that;s divided a community. 

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: locals in the Auckland suburb of Beachlands are upset that a group of pōhutukawa trees has been removed. Mels Barton of the Tree Council talks to Wallace about the grey areas in what constitute a protected tree. 

The Whip

It's another hit of the most insightful and sharp 30 minutes in political analysis. Tonight, Wallace is joined by RNZ's Mihingarangi Forbes, Stuff's national editor Andrea Vance and former national minister Wayne Mapp. 

The Whip panel looks at economic growth minister Nicola Willis's announcement about fast tracking new supermarket developments. Followed by Mihi's reporting on how the Public Service Commissioner is considering absorbing a number of smaller ministries into larger agencies: say goodbye ministries for Women and Pacific Peoples. 

Then a quick check on New Zealand's stance on statehood for Palestine: is the government moving fast enough now the UN has declared a famine in Gaza City? Then, four-year parliamentary terms are possibly back on the menu: what do the panel think? 

And finally, they take a look at the upcoming Tāmaki Makaurau by-election - who is likely to win?