The Panel

The Pre-Panel for 4 February 2026

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

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Jeremy Elwood and Sarah Sparks, Part 1
 
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Jeremy Elwood and Sarah Sparks.
 
First up, an equipment failure at Wellington's Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has sent thousands of litres of sewage into the sea. Mayor Andrew Little joins with the latest advice, followed by marine scientist Andrew Jeffs.

Then, a new survey suggests people prefer a face-to-face doctors appointment over a phone one...so why is telehealth being invested in? GP Owners Association president Angus Chambers joins the show.

Wellington's Moa Point wastewater treatment plant has been shut down and staff evacuated from the site, after an equipment failure flooded multiple floors. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone

 
The Panel with Jeremy Elwood and Sarah Sparks, Part 2
 
In part two, pollster David Farrar puts forward the controversial argument that New Zealand should join Australia.

Then, a Waiuku Cafe has this week started an initiative to feed kids for free before school on Mondays. Owner Max Ranger tells the panel how the first week went.

Map of Australia and New Zealand. 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: on the topic of Australia, in house linguist Rory O'Sullivan takes a look at Aussie slang. She'll be right.

Photo: AFP

 
The Whip for 4 February 2026

Join Wallace for New Zealand's most explosive 30 minutes of politics. He is joined by panellists Andrea Vance, Maria Slade, and Chris Finlayson.

The discuss the latest rise in unemployment figures, and Wellington's massive water infrastructure failure: sewage pouring out into the sea from Moa Point Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Then they unpack an eventful start to Waitangi celebrations, before picking up on pollster David Farrar's argument that New Zealand should join Australia.

Photo: Screengrab