The Panel with Holly Bennett and Ian Powell, Part 1

The episode opens with a lighthearted discussion about condensed milk, followed by a serious examination of the Supreme Court's decision to quash David Tamahiri's murder convictions after 36 years. The ruling, based on a fundamental miscarriage of justice due to discredited evidence from a jailhouse snitch, has sparked debate over the reliability of such testimony and the principle of 'innocent until proven guilty.' Legal expert Michael Bott emphasizes the gravity of the case and the importance of judicial independence, particularly in light of the Supreme Court's unanimous reversal of the Court of Appeal's earlier conclusion. The conversation then shifts to political developments, including speculation about a potential cabinet reshuffle and the early adoption of electric vehicles, highlighted by Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, who has driven a 15-year-old Mitsubishi i-MiEV with remarkable reliability. Smith shares his personal journey as an early EV advocate, discusses the challenges of road user charges for plug-in hybrids, and defends his council's decision to adopt a fully electric bus fleet—now saving tens of thousands in fuel costs amid rising diesel prices. The episode closes with a brief but pointed commentary on Christopher Luxon’s leadership style, questioning whether he sees himself more as a CEO or a prime minister.