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In part two, the Panel discusses a year of job cuts, everyone knows someone who has been hit by industry closures or corporate restructuring: will 2026 be more of the same? Then, we get into the nitty gritty of the bombshell revelations of the IPCA report into Police mishandling of sexual misconduct complaints. Has trust in the Police taken a knock?

Tonight, live from Revelry bar on Ponsonby Road Auckland, the Panel comes to your ear holes for a riveting hour of pub politics and current affairs. Joining Wallace for a look at some of the year's biggest issues is Heather Roy (ex ACT MP), Holly Bennett (former advisor to Minister Paul Goldsmith and founder of kaupapa Maori government relations firm Awhi), Phil Goff (former Auckland mayor) and Simon Wilson (senior writer NZ Herald). In this first hour the Panel discusses the brand-new reform of the Resource Management Act; a look at Auckland and the year out biggest city has endured; what's happened in education and how educators have been hit with a wave of new curriculum and after five years is New Zealand ready to decriminalise drugs?

Australia correspondent Nick Grimm spoke to Lisa Owen about calls in Australia for an overhaul of parliamentary entitlement rules as a senior government Minister faces controversy amid daily revelations detailing how she and her family have enjoyed some of the perks of office.

The fire burning in Tongariro National Park is now contained, but the after effects are still taking a toll on the tourist hotspot's economy. It's the second major fire in just a month -- the first of which seared some 3000 hectares of the world heritage site national park. Jimmy Ellingham reports

News from the business sector, including a market report.

The All Blacks won't play in the regions for at least another three years while New Zealand Rugby cashes in on crowds in the city centres. Next year the All Blacks play just four home games. New Zealand Rugy are unapologetic about how they work out where the top teams play but say not all is lost for the smaller centres. Sports reporter Felicity Reid spoke to Lisa Owen.

It has been revealed a major RMA overhaul with two new laws replacing the Resource Management Act; a Natural Environment law and a Planning law. The planning bill would lay out what infrastructure is needed and when, with land secured for key things like roads, schools, and utilities. The changes could boost GDP by more than $3 billion a year. The Minister responsible for RMA, Chris Bishop spoke to Lisa Owen.

The coalition is heralding the single largest economic reform in a generation - as it sets out its sweeping overhaul of the RMA. The much-loathed Resource Management Act has proved a perpetual bugbear - confusing and complex. The government says its radical new approach will make that much easier. Acting political editor Craig McCulloch reports.

A manhunt is underway after one man was fatally stabbed and another injured onboard the number 76 bus in east Auckland last night. Police have described it as "appalling" and unprovoked. A passenger was attacked by another man onboard as he got off the bus. He was taken to hospital but died a short time later. Another man has had surgery on his hand after he got on the bus and was attacked minutes after the other assault. Detective Inspector Glenn Baldwin spoke to Lisa Owen.

All the top stories and other headlines from the day

DOC is investigating after shuttle operators dropped hikers at the start of the Tongariro Alpine crossing despite a bad weather forecast, Meaning they shouldn't be on the track. Transport operators must adhere to official NIWA advisories and not take anyone to the walk if there's a bad forecast. Meanwhile multiple blazes have broken out in Tongariro, just a month after another massive wildfire ripped through three thousand hectares of the national park. Tongariro Operations Manager Libby O'Brien spoke to Lisa Owen.

Police have arrested a man after two unprovoked attacks on two passengers on an East Auckland bus last night has left one dead, and another seriously injured in hospital. The first victim got off the route 76 bus with a fatal knife wound to his torso just before 8pm, and about 10 minutes later a second person boarded the same bus and was also stabbed. A warning, Lucy Xia's report contains details listeners may find distressing.

The consequenses have continued in the wake of one of the scariest sporting moments of the year. Eliesa Katoa's rugby league career and long term health are both in serious jeopardy after the Tongan forward took three separate head knocks in a single game, resulting in a seizure and brain surgery. Sport reporter Jonty Dine spoke to Lisa Owen.

A Christchurch secondary school's end of year prize giving and concert has become a thing of legend. Saint Andrews college practically broke the internet in 2023 with its performance of Stairway to Heaven. This year's show stopper was a heartfelt tribute to Aotearoa with a medley of iconic kiwi anthems. Recently graduated student Miu Kim, who played a violin solo in the performance, spoke to Lisa Owen.

US correspondent Todd Zwillich spoke to Lisa Owen about media giant Paramount throwing its hat in the ring to buy Warner Brothers, sparking a bidding war with Netflix, as well as the Defence Secretary facing more pressure around US strikes on alleged drug boats.

The festive season will put some people in the red, and not only when it comes to bank accounts and Santa suits - but also in the form of retail rage. The feelings of being overwhelmed, frustration at not getting a carpark, having to queue endlessly for the check-out, missing the cut off for the post, along with tough economic times are all gearing up as Christmas approaches. Retail NZ chief executive Carolyn Young spoke to Lisa Owen.

The latest RNZ Pacific news.

Wallace Chapman previews tonight's instalment of The Panel.

When filmmaker Dana Conroy's doctor suggested laser eye surgery, or LASIK, to correct her nearsightedness, it seemed like a good idea. With success rates touted near 99% and millions of people getting it done, she expected to throw away her glasses for good. Instead, she found herself battling constant pain, crushing headaches, unrelenting dryness, and eyesight that only got worse. Trying to understand what happened, she put herself behind and in front of the camera, tracking down specialists and others who say they were harmed by a procedure sold as simple and safe. Along the way she met ophthalmologist Dr. Cynthia MacKay, who's been pushing back against LASIK for decades. Dana Conroy's documentary is called Broken Eyes, and a link to it is here.

Questions to Ministers Rt Hon CHRIS HIPKINS to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? CATHERINE WEDD to the Minister responsible for RMA Reform: What announcement has he made about replacing the Resource Management Act 1991? Hon BARBARA EDMONDS to the Minister of Finance: Does she agree with the Prime Minister's comments about asset sales that "we'd take it to the election, and it would be part of our programme"; if so, what advice, if any, has she received on the Crown's ownership interest in State-owned companies? CHLÖE SWARBRICK to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? ANDY FOSTER to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries: What reports has he received on the fisheries sector? RAWIRI WAITITI to the Prime Minister: Does he stand by all his Government's statements and actions? Hon Dr AYESHA VERRALL to the Minister of Health: Does he stand by all his actions in the health portfolio; if not, why not? CAMERON BREWER to the Minister for Economic Growth: What impact will resource management reform have on the economy? Hon GINNY ANDERSEN to the Minister for Social Development and Employment: Does she stand by her statement, "Our Government does not accept that a life on welfare is as good as it gets for our young people"; if so, why? RYAN HAMILTON to the Minister of Local Government: What recent announcements has he made on capping council rates? Hon MARAMA DAVIDSON to the Prime Minister: E tautoko ana ia i nga korero me nga mahi katoa a tona Kawanatanga? Does he stand by all of his Government's statements and actions? REUBEN DAVIDSON to the Minister for Media and Communications: Does he stand by his commitment on 2 July 2024 that "The Government is taking immediate action to support New Zealand's media and content production sectors"; if so, what immediate action has the Government taken to date?