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The Panel for Thursday 19 February 2026

The Pre-Panel for 19 February 2026

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

Relaxed smile portrait of Wallace Chapman on grey background

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

 

The Panel with Zoe George and Conor English, Part 1
 
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Zoe George and Conor English.
 
First up, the government has slashed plans for new homes in Auckland by half a million after strong public feedback. Character Coalition chair Sally Hughes shares her reaction.

Then, new employment rules will limit personal grievance payouts for those earning more than $200k. It this fair? Auckland University employment law expert Simon Schofield joins the panel.

Housing Minister Chris Bishop. Generic

Photo: RNZ/Marika Khabazi

 
 

The Panel with Zoe George and Conor English, Part 2
 
In part two, an increasing cohort of people can't afford to retire at 65 - Age Concern Rotorua manager Rory O'Rourke shares what that looks like on the ground. 

Then, a Dunedin high school band got the offer of a lifetime, opening for Foo Fighters at the new Christchurch stadium next year. 

Dunedin's Queens High School band SEEK HELP.

Photo: Supplied

 

 

 
 

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: as the battle rages on to bring Jeffrey Epstein's victims justice, the sad reality is, the crime of child sexual exploitation continues around the globe. Conrad Townson is the principal advisor of child sexual exploitation at Project Paradigm in Australia.

This undated handout photo obtained July 11, 2019 courtesy of the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein. Epstein, 66, was charged on jULY 8, 2019 by prosecutors in New York with one count of sex trafficking of minors and one count of conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors. Those charges carry a maximum of 45 years in prison. According to prosecutors, Epstein sexually exploited dozens of underage teen girls at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida, between 2002 and 2005. Some were as young as 14. (Photo by HO / New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO / NEW YORK STATE SEX OFFENDER REGISTRY/HANDOUT" - NO MARKETING - NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS

Photo: HO / New York State Sex Offender Registry / AFP