The Panel

The Pre-Panel for 19 December 2025

Wallace Chapman and producers Tessa Guest and José Barbosa preview tonight's instalment of The Panel.

Photo: RNZ / Jeff McEwan

The Panel with Andrew Clay and Denise L'Estrange-Corbet, Part 1
 
Tonight, on The Panel, Wallace Chapman is joined by panellists Andrew Clay and Denise L'Estrange-Corbet.
 
First up, a Tauranga-based social services organisation is being stretched to the brink by the number of people living in hardship. SociaLink chief executive Lix Davies gives the lowdown.

Then, does the introduction of bigbox retail like IKEA mean the death of local 'block of shops' retail in New Zealand? Butcher and local retail advocate, Reuben Sharples, joins the show.

Mistletoe in Central Otago. Photo: RNZ/Susan Murray