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The Panel for Wednesday 8 October 2025

The Pre-Panel for 8 October 2025 

Jesse is joined by The Panel host Wallace Chapman and producer Tessa guest to preview this evening's show.

Host Wallace Chapman in a blue shirt and casual jacket. Soft blue background.

Photo: RNZ / Jayne Joyce and Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Kathryn Graham and Phil O'Reilly Part 1

Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Kathryn Graham and Phil O'Reilly.

First up, a new poll has National below 30 percent support for the first time this term. Does our panel think National is entering the danger zone? 
Then, the Reserve Bank takes a swing and cuts the OCR by 50 basis points. What does it all mean? And when will the economy get less grim? 
And finally, the Hauraki Gulf Tīkapa Moana Marine Protection Bill has passed it's third reading. It extends marine environmental protections, but critics say the commercial fishing emptions undermine the aim of the bill.    

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at a press conference in Auckland.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon at a press conference in Auckland. Photo: MARIKA KHABAZI / RNZ

The Panel with Kathryn Graham and Phil O'Reilly Part 2

In part two, the Ministry of Education has proposed that students should instead take public transport if a suitable service is available. That's got many in the region worried about the safety of their children including Chris Blackford. He's both a former councillor and local cop and he says it's bloody stupid.

school bus

school bus Photo: 123rf

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: he's back, our in-house linguist Rory O'Sullivan and today he is looking at the incredible innovation of live translation via Apple airpods. What does it mean for languages?  

Amy demonstrates Pleco, a Chinese language translation App on smart phones. Photo:

The Whip for 8 October

This week on The Whip, panellists Annabelle Lee-Mather, Guyon Espiner and Peter Dunne discuss all the major political stories of the week. 
They start by examining the squabble between Winston Peters and Chlöe Swarbrick over protesters outside his house. Then they look at the impending mega strike of nurses, healthcare assistants, senior doctors and dentists, alongside teachers. Is this the biggest strike in New Zealand's history? 
They then move on to the state of the job market and Wallace asks: do we need a John key style 'jobs summit'? 
Finally, they examine how Toitū Te Tiriti cut ties with Te Pāti Māori and what that means for the party's 'reset'.

Toitū Te Tiriti organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi instructed followers to turn their backs to the government when they arrive.

Toitū Te Tiriti organiser Eru Kapa-Kingi. Photo: RNZ / Cole Eastham Farrelly