Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

The Book of Guilt by Catherine Chidgey The first NZ-published book to hit number one this year. From the author of Pet. Set in England in 1979, identical 13-year-old triplets are part of a Government scheme where they're constantly monitored and medicated. Nightshade by Michael Connelly Los Angeles County Sheriff's Detective Stilwell has been 'exiled' to a low-key post, policing rustic Catalina Island, after department politics drove him off a homicide desk on the mainland. But while following up the usual drunk-and-disorderlies and petty thefts that come with his new territory, Detective Stilwell gets a report of a body found wrapped in plastic and weighed down at the bottom of the harbour. Crossing all lines of protocol and jurisdiction, he starts doggedly working the case. Soon, his investigation uncovers closely guarded secrets and a dark heart to the serene island that was meant to be his escape from the evils of the big city. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Mike Yardley opened up about Glenorchy's brand of eco-concious tourism, and revealed why it's a must-visit for fans of jet-boating, nature and Middle Earth. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last Friday (May 16) was Pink Shirt Day in New Zealand which, as we know, is to promote anti-bullying - serving as a reminder that bullying can happen anywhere. Some people think it only happens in the playground at school but reports show it also occurs in workplaces, with a Massey Uni study in 2023 reported 1 in 4 people experienced bullying at least monthly in the workplace.  Clinical psychologist  Dougal Sutherland unpacked the numbers - and offered up some tips as to how it can be dealt with. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week, a collaborative group of Enthusiastic Restoration Organisations got together on Waiheke Island in the Hauraki Gulf. They were there to celebrate an inspirational project that commenced almost two decades ago: getting kiwi on the island.  I remember having many chats with the Late Sir Rob Fenwick and his wife Lady Jennie about making the island predator-free so that these birds (and other species) could be introduced.  And last week, it happened…   Ten birds (some the size of a moa!) were carefully taken from a nearby island (Pōnui) and shipped by barge to Waiheke. Pōnui got its kiwi (14 of them) in 1964 and these birds thrived there on the farm and in some forested areas, resulting in a current estimate of 1500 birds. (a huge density!)  The Chamberlin family looked after them well and allowed Save the Kiwi to muster the first lot of birds and take these to Waiheke.  It was a huge event with all the important organisations present: Save the Kiwi, Ngāti Pāoa, Ngāi Tai ki Tāmaki, Te Korowai o Waiheke, DOC, the Pōnui Island Landowners and, of course, the volunteers as well as a heap of primary school kids.  The community made this translocation possible, Mana Whenua celebrated the momentous occasion and hundreds of people arrived to be part of this event. Over the past few years I have been visiting the Waiheke schools and suggested that the main job for the kids is to keep an eye on people walking around with their dogs. These dogs should be on a lead, no matter their size or cuteness. In an urban area, dogs are the most dangerous animals for kiwi - just one paw on the back of a kiwi is enough to cause internal damage to the bird. Even a gentle, friendly dog's playful nudge is all it takes to break a kiwi's rib bones and puncture their lungs.  (A kiwi doesn’t fly, therefore they have no keel that holds the rib bones together!)  The Waiheke Kids are simply the advocates for responsible dog ownership: “keep them on a lead!!”       The kids were also quite innovative in designing the birds’ new “release burrows”  This shows that Environmental Education has become “cross curricular”, with not just biology and science, but also covering creative writing, story-telling and art  David Chamberlin (Pōnui Island landowner) revealed the most wonderful experiences of kiwi on their island: “They sometimes wandered into the houses, and made their presence known by putting their beaks through the courgettes”… “They walked over us as we have been sleeping outside and they were our alarm clocks at the wrong time of the day”…  These translocations are really inspirational and wonderful - and I don’t know if you have followed this trend, but it’s happening more and more: Wellington, Taranaki, Nelson…. Imagine a return of kiwi everywhere!  (Save the Kiwi have this motto: We're on a mission to take kiwi from endangered to everywhere)    Then driven to Te Matuku peninsula, a quiet forest with perfect conditions to recover from the journey and find food.  In the end, the birds were carefully released in the beautiful burrows.  They were heard calling the next day at 6pm, indicating they were happy and went about their business in normal fashion.  I reckon they’ll be just fine there, for the next 30 or 40 years of their life. LISTEN ABOVEPōnui kiwi destined for WaihekeWalking the kiwi to the marae JTBirds were briefly shown to the Waiheke audience by Save the Kiwi Trainers Emma and WillThen driven to Te Matuku peninsula, a quiet forest with perfect conditions to recover from the journey and find food.Kiwi released in forest eveningSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 24 May 2025, award-winning playwright Leki Jackson-Bourke and emerging dance talent Justice Kalolo join Jack to discuss New Zealand's leading contemporary dance company Black Grace celebrating 30 years, and the brand new production Rage Rage. Jack weighs up whether KiwiSaver becoming means tested opens the door to superannuation getting the same treatment.   Tom Cruise has delivered the 8th and final instalment in the decades-long Mission Impossible franchise - Francesca Rudkin reveals her thoughts on the nearly-three-hour epic. And, Ruud Kleinpaste shares his efforts in the collaborative work to get kiwi back on Waiheke Island.   Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a bid to boost Kiwis' retirement savings, the Government is increasing the default KiwiSaver contribution rate to 3.5 percent next year and then 4 percent by April 2028.  The scheme will also be extended to 16 and 17-year-olds from April 1, 2026 - they will need to opt in, as the automatic enrolment will remain at 18. The Government contribution rate, however, will reduce by half, from 50c for each dollar a member contributes to 25c, from July 1 this year. In addition, those earning over $180,000 will no longer receive a Government contribution. Finance expert Lisa Dudson says these changes will help people build up more for their retirements and first home deposits - but there's concerns as to how it will impact low-income earners. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Johnny Ive, the designer behind the iPod, iMac & iPhone, is going all in with the creators of ChatGPT. Two years ago he started a company, io, to rethink the computer for the AI-age - which OpenAI was an investor in. OpenAI has now purchased it for $6.5 billion according to Bloomberg. Tech commentator Paul Stenhouse says the staff will be joining OpenAI, but Ive won't be. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sirens - (Netflix) Julianne Moore and Meghann Fahy star in this glitzy drama about a woman concerned about her sister’s relationship with her billionaire boss.  Nine Perfect Strangers - (Prime Video) A new season of the drama based on a book by Liane Moriarty and starring Nicole Kidman, about nine strangers who congregate at a wellness retreat to gain respite from their lives.  Tucci In Italy - (Disney+) Academy Award nominee Stanley Tucci travels across Italy, discovering the history, secrets, and delights of the country's regional cuisines.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand’s leading contemporary dance company Black Grace is celebrating 30 years this year - and their latest production offers an intimate look at a familiar emotion. Rage Rage was crafted as a response to the chaotic times we live in, and it features dance infused with physical theatre.  Award-winning playwright Leki Jackson-Bourke and emerging dancer Justice Kalolo joined Jack Tame to discuss the project. "I think people will kinda get the themes we're trying to work with - without giving the show away too much. But there's something that's relatable to everyone who comes to watch." LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Halloumi Orzo Tray Bake   Full of flavourful, vibrant everyday ingredients. This is quick and easy comfort food at its best. We encourage you to swap and change the vegetables with what needs to be used in your fridge and what's seasonal. To make this dairy free, either leave out the halloumi altogether or use a dairy free cheese alternative.   Serves: 4   Time: 50 minutes   1 eggplant, cut into pieces   1 leek, sliced widthways   1 red onion, diced   180g cherry tomatoes, cut in half   3 cloves garlic, crushed and roughly chopped   3 tbsp oil   1 tsp sea salt   400g can of chopped tomatoes   3/4 cup water   3/4 cup orzo   250g halloumi (half cut into cubes and the other half grated)   To Serve:   1/2 cup herbs, roughly chopped   2 tbsp tahini   Method:   Preheat the oven to 220C.   Add the eggplant, leek, red onion, cherry tomatoes and garlic to a heat proof dish or pan- we used a skillet. Drizzle over the oil and sprinkle over the sea salt. Toss everything together and place in the oven to cook for 30 minutes.   Remove the dish or pan from the oven and add the tomatoes, water, orzo and the halloumi cubes. Gently toss everything together, then lastly sprinkle over the grated halloumi.   Place back into the oven to cook for another 20 minutes.   Remove from the oven once the 20 minutes is up and the halloumi is golden and melted.   Before serving, top the bake with herbs and drizzle over the tahini.   Any leftovers will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mission Impossible: The Final Reckoning The 8th and final film in the action-thriller Mission Impossible franchise has just been released - with Ethan Hunt taking on the ultimate in AI evil. Fountain of Youth Two estranged siblings partner on a global heist to find the mythological Fountain of Youth. They must use their knowledge of history to follow clues on an adventure that will change their lives and possibly lead to immortality. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland FC's made a record-breaking start to their debut season and fans are hopeful the team can go all the way to the top. Saturday is the biggest chapter yet, with 29,000 people set to pack an expanded Go Media Stadium for the second leg of the semifinal with Melbourne Victory.  Andrew Saville joined Jack Tame to discuss further. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Christchurch entrepreneur Mark Rocket made headlines as the first New Zealander to go to space - so it's got Kevin Milne thinking about the power of a surname.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s one of the curious things about the structure of modern liberal democracies.  Whether its sharemarkets or political cycles or even media coverage, a lot of the big forces that shape our society are influenced by short-term incentives.   It gets us into all sorts of pickles. Take the Three Waters and the crisis with water infrastructure in New Zealand. The main reason we find ourselves with a vast infrastructure deficit is because for decades, heaps of local councils haven’t properly invested to maintain the pipes. Why didn’t they invest? Simple. Investment takes money and money means rates. And with woeful levels of engagement with local body elections, big rates increases and pledges to spend millions on water infrastructure that no one could see or appreciate weren’t exactly vote-winners. Councillors who wanted to be re-elected have been incentivised to defer spending for the future. Someone else’s problem. Predictably, of course, it snowballed. I think we risk the same thing with the aging population and the future of superannuation in New Zealand. We know that in a few short years, as more baby-boomers retire, the cost for superannuation combined with the impact of an older population on the health system is going to massively increase pressure on the Government books.   Treasury has been warning about it for ages. There are going to be fewer of us of working age supporting more of us who are retired. And yet since the advent of KiwiSaver, there have been very few big steps to address the fast-approaching meteorite.   I’m pleased to see the Government move on Kiwisaver contributions in the Budget this week. It’s well overdue in my opinion, and although it’ll be a burden for a lot of businesses in the short term, I’d personally support steps that encouraged a greater rate of retirement saving in the future.   It occurs to me that a massively underrated component in the Australia vs New Zealand equation is superannuation. Saving for super is compulsory in Australia. But not only are wages higher across the ditch, in six weeks, the compulsory employer rate goes to 12%. I’m not suggesting we instantly introduce a 12% rate here – businesses would be driven into the ground. But it’s interesting to note that in Australia, for most workers, the tax on employer contributions is much lower than that in New Zealand. In the next few decades, Australians are set to retire with hundreds of thousands of dollars more than their New Zealand counterparts.   I turn 65 in 27 years. I have no expectation that superannuation in its current form will exist by the time I get there. I have a sense of fatalism about the whole thing. It feels inevitable that I’ll be paying for older generations to enjoy universal super, only for the settings to finally change once I’m on the home straight to 65.   I do find one thing about the Government’s move this week particularly curious. They’ve opened the door to means-testing KiwiSaver. Those who earn more than $180,000 won’t receive the Government contribution.   I don’t claim to know what the best solution is. But there will be many working New Zealanders wondering, this week... if means-testing KiwiSaver benefits is acceptable, why shouldn’t superannuation be means-tested too?   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Naked Samoans launched a new era of popular culture in New Zealand with bro’Town and their smash hit Sione’s Wedding films.  They were instrumental in pushing Pasifika humour into the mainstream, and are still going strong after three decades.   They’re returning to the stage this month for the International Comedy Festival, performing The Last Temptation of the Naked Samoans.   David, Shimpal, Robbie, and Mario piled into the ZB studio with Jack Tame, setting a record for the most guests squeezed in for an interview.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Forest House’ is the latest album to come from NZ Best Country Artist Winner Jenny Mitchell.   In her own words, the album is filled with songs that reflect everything that happens within the four walls of a house – new beginnings, endings, the good, bad, nostalgic, and everything in between.  Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to share her thoughts on the release, as well as a personal anecdote.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The CIA Book Club by Charlie English   For almost five decades after the Second World War, Europe was divided by the longest and most heavily guarded border on earth. The Iron Curtain, a near-impenetrable barrier of wire and wall, tank traps, minefields, watchtowers and men with dogs, stretched for 4,300 miles from the Arctic to the Black Sea. No physical combat would take place along this frontier: the risk of nuclear annihilation was too high for that. Instead, the conflict would be fought in the psychological sphere. It was a battle for hearts, minds and intellects.  No one understood this more clearly than George Minden, the head of a covert intelligence operation known as the ‘CIA books programme’, which aimed to win the Cold War with literature.  From its Manhattan headquarters, Minden’s global CIA ‘book club’ would infiltrate millions of banned titles into the Eastern Bloc, written by a vast and eclectic list of authors, including Hannah Arendt and Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, George Orwell and Agatha Christie. Volumes were smuggled on trucks and aboard yachts, dropped from balloons, and hidden in the luggage of hundreds of thousands of individual travellers. Once inside Soviet bloc, each book would circulate secretly among dozens of like-minded readers, quietly turning them into dissidents. Latterly, underground print shops began to reproduce the books, too. By the late 1980s, illicit literature in Poland was so pervasive that the system of communist censorship broke down, and the Iron Curtain soon followed.  Charlie English tells this true story of spycraft, smuggling and secret printing operations for the first time, highlighting the work of a handful of extraordinary people who risked their lives to stand up to the intellectual strait-jacket Stalin created. People like Miroslaw Chojecki, an underground Polish publisher who endured beatings, force-feeding and exile in service of this mission. And Minden, the CIA’s mastermind, who didn’t waver in his belief that truth, culture, and diversity of thought could help free the ‘captive nations’ of Eastern Europe. This is a story about the power of the printed word as a means of resistance and liberation. Books, it shows, can set you free.    The Names by Florence Knapp   Tomorrow - if morning comes, if the storm stops raging - Cora will register the name of her son. Or perhaps, and this is her real concern, she'll formalise who he will become.  It is 1987, and in the aftermath of a great storm, Cora sets out with her nine-year-old daughter to register the birth of her son. Her husband intends for her to follow a long-standing family tradition and call the baby after him. But when faced with the decision, Cora hesitates. Going against his wishes is a risk that will have consequences, but is it right for her child to inherit his name from generations of domineering men? The choice she makes in this moment will shape the course of their lives.  Seven years later, her son is Bear, a name chosen by his sister, and one that will prove as cataclysmic as the storm from which it emerged. Or he is Julian, the name his mother set her heart on, believing it will enable him to become his own person. Or he is Gordon, named after his father and raised in his cruel image - but is there still a chance to break the mould?    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kiwis are known for many things – our friendly attitudes, our easy going natures, and Kevin Milne thinks our generosity should be added to that list.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Stitching Central Otago to the wonders of South Westland, the Haast Pass Highway is what epic roadies are all about. The Haast region is the centrepiece of Te Wāhipounamu World Heritage area. As the last mountain pass to be constructed over the Southern Alps and only fully chip-sealed in 1995, this 140km-long panoramic alpine pass still exudes a “final frontier” sense of escapism as it threads its way through South Westland’s primeval forests. The route had long been used by Māori warriors and greenstone (pounamu) gatherers, as they traversed the Main Divide." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another member is joining the Hall household and true to her nature, Kate Hall has been looking at how to keep having a baby a little more sustainable.  She joined Jack Tame to talk about the reality of baby marketing versus what’s actually needed, what they plan to do for nappies, and give a few tips for navigating offers of hand-me-downs.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

78 people are to be quarantined after coming in contact with measles.   Health New Zealand's said it's reached out to 286 close contacts since the first case was confirmed earlier this month.   90% of people unvaccinated that come in contact with measles will be infected.   Dr Bryan Betty said it's one of the most contagious diseases known to man.   He says Covid has a reproduction number of 2-3 and influenza is 1.3, so measles sitting at 12 to 18 is completely off the scale.  Betty says people should limit their movements.   He says if people think they have measles, they should ring their medical centre for advice as they risk spreading the disease if they turn up to their medical centre.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 16 May 2025, as many Naked Samoans as will fit in the studio crowd in to chat with Jack about getting the gang back together and on stage again for the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.  Jack reflects on how far Auckland FC have come.  Kate Hall is expanding her family and Jack asks the big sustainability question on everybody's mind – what will she do about nappies?  Dr Bryan Betty expresses concern around the recent measles outbreak.  And tech expert Paul Stenhouse dishes the details on the "official air taxi provider" for the LA 2028 Olympic Games.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Vespula group of invasive wasps are still active, but starting to show signs of slowly shutting up shop for the winter. Vespula germanica (German wasp) and Vespula vulgaris (common wasp) are the two species with no sense of humour in New Zealand.   At this time of the year the action is all about the queens: the old queens (as well as the males and old workers) are facing the end of their lives, and the brand-new queens are preparing for hibernation.   For new queens that means mating in May – after that she can find a nice spot to hibernate till mid-September. I usually find them in stored firewood, nice dark nooks and crannies.    This is also the time when most active wasp nests die – early winter. Most, but not all!   Some nests (around 5-10%) survive the winter and grow bigger and bigger during the following year – a couple of meters in size with a million cells. Now, that is a decent method of production of babies and adults.   A nest that survives the winter has the advantage of carrying on without requiring the construction of a new nest.   During May, young queens go on the look out for a hibernation site. During winter that will be a very quiet place (until you come cross that afore mentioned firewood stash in the shed).  Overwintering Vespula Queens   In spring, when temperatures become a little more agreeable, the queens will leave the hibernation spot and try locate some sustenance in the form of early-flowering plants with nectar.   This will start the early-season cycle off – finding a small nest site and starting a brand-new nest is the very first priority.   Chewing wood to create a version of paper mâché is a clever way the wasps produce cells where the larvae (young immature wasps) can live for 30 to 45 days, initially fed by the queen (later by the workers as the nest grows larger).  Wasp chewing wood to masticate into cells.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you get around LA's terrible traffic? From the sky.   It'll only be worse for the Olympics, so Archer will be the "official air taxi provider" for the LA28 Games. These look like a small plane, rather than a helicopter, and have a fixed wing with propellers on it that tilt. That means it can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and then transition into forward flight like a plane.   These are all electric piloted air taxis, designed to carry up to four passengers and their luggage. The goal is to have these up and running by 2026, then expand the "LA Network" to include the key Olympic sites and transport hubs for the 2028 games. VIPs, athletes, and spectators will be able to take the flights, and they'll provide support for security teams too.   They say they will be able to replace one-to-two-hour drives with 10–20 minute electric flights that are 100x quieter than a helicopter.     TikTok wants kids to sleep   It's so easy to get stuck in a TikTok hole – where does the time go?! Now, after 10pm, kids under 18 will get a reminder that they've been scrolling and even get prompted to take some guided meditation with relaxing music. If you're over 18, you'll be able to toggle it on too - you can select “Sleep Hours” from the Screen Time settings.     OpenAI is looking to buy a software coding tool for $3 billion   The ChatGPT maker has unveiled a dedicated coding assistant called Codex which is included in the $200 a month plan. Clearly it thinks there is a future for these kinds of tools because it's looking at purchasing a company already offering that service, Windsurf, for $3 billion. Programmers are rapidly embracing AI.        LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secrets We Keep   When her neighbour's au pair goes missing, Cecilie is compelled to personally investigate but as she uncovers the truth, her perfect world falls apart (Netflix).    Duster Set in the Southwest in the 1970s, a getaway driver for a growing crime syndicate sees his life go from dangerous to wildly, stupidly, dangerous when a tenacious FBI agent comes to town (Neon).    Homebound 3.0   A second season of the charming New Zealand rom com about two 30 somethings who pretend to fall in love to stop their families from interfering in their lives (ThreeNow) .    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feed 4 for under $20! One pot, one pan! (Makes 20)    Prep time: 15 mins    Cook time: 15 mins    Ingredients:  500 G Basa Fish (Frozen Fish Fillets Basa)    4 tbsp red curry paste ( Exotic Food Asian Red Curry Paste)    1 egg ¼ cup corn flour    8 green beans (chopped into ½ cm pieces) (Supermarket own green beans)    1.5 tbsp fish sauce or soy sauce    1.5 tbsp lime or lemon juice    ½ cup chopped coriander stems (save the leaves)    2 cups grated Cucumber (leave it in the bowl so the juices come out)    4 tbsp Sweet Chilli Sauce Hot Cooking Oil    *Cooked rice for 4 people       Method:    Make sure the fish is well defrosted. Leaving it overnight in the fridge is best. It needs to be soft enough to work with.    In a bowl, combine the fish, curry paste, fish or soy sauce, coriander stems, lemon or lime juice and the egg. If you have a food processor, use that that to blend everything up. If not, get in there with a fork or a potato masher and get it as fine a paste as you can.    Add the corn flour and chopped green beans to mix and combine well.    Heat the oil, in a pan, over a medium heat. 4-5 tbsp should be fine depending on the pan you use.    Take a tablespoon of the mix and lay it down on the oil. Fashion the fish cakes into 1.5-inch discs that are about 1 cm high.    Fry the fish cakes in the oil till then turn golden brown on each side. When finished, place them on paper towels to cool. Repeat till all the fish is cooked.    Drain the water from the grated cucumber. Combine with the Sweet Chilli sauce and chopped coriander leaves. Set aside.    Bowl up your rice, load up with fish cakes, drizzle with sauce, and you’re ready to smash it.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Salt Path   A couple lose their home and later discover that the husband has been diagnosed with a terminal illness as they embark on a year-long coastal trek.    Final Destination Bloodlines  Plagued by a violent and recurring nightmare, a college student heads home to track down the one person who might be able to break the cycle of death and save her family from the grisly demise that inevitably awaits them all.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

210 days ago, I was blinking into the sun at Go Media Stadium as Auckland FC strode out onto the pitch for their first-ever A-League game.  The club was owned by a billionaire and the team’s style of play wasn’t immediately alluring – the very first goal in the club’s professional history came courtesy of an opposition player. I knew about two of the players and had to keep cross-checking the action on the pitch with my gameday programme.  Upon reflection, there were plenty of reasons why Auckland FC might not have taken off with fans quite as they have. And yet here we are, seven months on, in the semi-finals of the A-League. The crunchy end of the season for the team that has consistently drawn the biggest crowds in the competition. I can confirm I’ve crossed a sporting threshold this season. As much as I love the Crusaders, Auckland FC in my sporting priority each and every week.  I’ve talked before about how the club really nailed the matchday experience. And let’s not kid ourselves and imagine the season would have been quite the same if they hadn’t been winning. But given they started from nothing, it’s also notable the extent to which the club has actively tried to build and nurture a fanbase. It cannot be easy to snap your fingers and try to build a culture and fanbase overnight. But the club has held however many meet-and-greets. They’ve had an enduring outreach programme with local football clubs. They ‘ve held training days for kids and even made an appearance at my mate’s local school fete last weekend. They’ve had autograph sessions and sponsor gigs and even shipped the regular season trophy around corporate offices in downtown Auckland – including this one!  As an organisation, Auckland FC has hustled. And I think the same attitude permeates into their style of play. The players run hard. They try hard. And it’s paid off however many times this season when the team has scored a goal in the dying seconds of a game to snatch a draw or even a win. I read an interview at the start of the season in which the players talked about their backgrounds. Apart from the captain, Hiroki Sakai, no one was a big league superstar, and honestly, they knew it. They were professional footballers, sure. But no one was signing perfume deals and earning half a million bucks a week. They had everything still to prove and the only way to do it was through graft.  By the nature of an inaugural season, everything Auckland FC has done this year has been a first. But knock-out football is a different kind of pressure. It’s a home-and-away semi, of course, with the away leg first. Part of me feels a bit anxious about that. Was it really in our interests to have a full week off before getting up for a critical match in opposition territory?  Sport can be glorious, and sport can be cruel. Winning the Premier’s Plate does not guarantee anything at this stage of the season. But like so many others, in a few short months, I’ve come to feel a deep affinity for this team. I now know the respective club histories of players who were effectively strangers in October. I know our defence is our greatest strength: Paulsen, Hall, Sakai, Smith, Pijnaker. That Louis Verstraete blends a technical finesse with an enthusiasm for a 50/50 physical challenge. That Francis de Vries will always whip in a ridiculously good delivery and Guillermo May is just waiting to lash it in with that left foot.  I know how lucky we are to have had this season. How good it is for NZ football. And seven months since that first game, with the knock-out stages upon us, I know we can win. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley’s on an adventure in London, experiencing luxury hotels and five star dining experiences.  He joined Jack Tame to delve into some of his top destination dining picks.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand's catholic leader says Pope Francis' legacy will live on under the church's new leader.  69-year-old Robert Prevost was elected the new pontiff after the fourth ballot of the conclave yesterday, taking the name Leo XIV.  He is the first Pope from the United States and the first from the Augustinian order of the church.  New Zealand Archbishop John Dew voted in the conclave, and says in the ten days of meetings leading up to the vote, they discussed what's needed in the church and the world today.  He says everyone was saying while they can't have a copy of Pope Francis, his initiatives should continue.  He told Jack Tame the new pope has been a natural fit.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne recently received an email, passed on by Jack Tame, about advice he gave on the show 18 years ago. He said that parents should buy an exercise book, tie a pencil to it and write in even the little highlights of their kids growing up. The listener did just that, giving his son a book filled with special moments and memories on his 21st birthday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a decade of making music, Chaos in the CBD has finally released their debut album.  ‘A Deeper Life’ is a labour of love from brothers Louis and Ben Helliker-Hale, a house album that pays tribute to their lives growing up in Aotearoa.   Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the release.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The internet is filled with a wide array of things – more than any one person could experience in their entire life.  However, as the internet has developed, spaces dedicated to children have been eroded – gone are the days of Club Penguin and flash games, replaced with adult and advertiser friendly spaces.  What this has resulted in is the exposure of generations of children and young people to harmful —sometimes outright illegal— content.   The Classification Office recently released a report delving into what young people are exposed to online, speaking with ten different groups, ranging in age from 12-25.  Dougal Sutherland unpacks the results, and the impact the exposure has had on young people.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams   From trips on private jets and encounters with world leaders to shocking accounts of misogyny and double standards behind the scenes, this searing memoir exposes both the personal and the political fallout when unfettered power and a rotten company culture take hold. In a gripping and often absurd narrative where a few people carelessly hold the world in their hands, this eye-opening memoir reveals what really goes on among the global elite.  Sarah Wynn-Williams tells the wrenching but fun story of Facebook, mapping its rise from stumbling encounters with juntas to Mark Zuckerberg’s reaction when he learned of Facebook’s role in Trump’s election. She experiences the challenges and humiliations of working motherhood within a pressure cooker of a workplace, all while Sheryl Sandberg urges her and others to “lean in.”  Careless People is a deeply personal account of why and how things have gone so horribly wrong in the past decade—told in a sharp, candid, and utterly disarming voice. A deep, unflinching look at the role that social media has assumed in our lives, Careless People reveals the truth about the leaders of Facebook: how the more power they grasp, the less responsible they become and the consequences this has for all of us.    My Name is Emilia del Valle by Isabel Allende   In San Francisco 1866, an Irish nun, left pregnant and abandoned following a torrid relationship with a Chilean aristocrat, gives birth to a daughter named Emilia Del Valle. Raised by a loving stepfather, Emilia grows into an independent thinker and a self-sufficient young woman.  To pursue her passion for writing, she is willing to defy societal norms. At the age of sixteen, she begins to publish pulp fiction under a man’s pen name. When these fictional worlds can't contain her sense of adventure any longer, she turns to journalism, convincing an editor at the San Francisco Examiner to hire her. There she is paired with another talented reporter, Eric Whelan.  As she proves herself, her restlessness returns, until an opportunity arises to cover a brewing civil war in Chile. She seizes it, along with Eric, and while there, begins to uncover the truth about her father and the country that represents her roots. But as the war escalates, Emilia finds herself in danger and at a crossroads, questioning both her identity and her destiny.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 10 May 2025, fresh from the conclave, New Zealand's Cardinal John Dew joins Jack to discuss his part in the process of selecting Pope Leo XIV.  Jack considers the rare instances when the world's eyes all rest on the same place.  Mother's Day is sorted with Nici Wickes' delicious No-fuss Sticky Buns.  Bill Gates will go broke to make the earth better – tech expert Paul Stenhouse discusses the reality of Gates' campaign.  And, Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas joins Jack from London at the Decanter World Wine Awards.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wine: Neudorf Tiritiri Pinot Gris RRP – $27.00  From the Moutere Hills in Nelson.  The Wine: A semi-aromatic variety, this PG delivers scents of Asian pears and red apple. There’s a natural white spice, almost pepper-like and a distinctive mineral quality. Satin smooth texture on the palate, juicy fleshy, ripe and delicious. Medium(ish) weighted and lengthy on the finish.   The Food: Whilst great on its own, this wine pairs well with starter courses like sashimi or Waldorf salad, and some lighter main courses like Flounder with fresh lemon or fettuccine with tomato, basil and prawns.   The season: 2024 was an excellent year for most growers in NZ, and especially Nelson.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A common problem in our homes, especially in the cooler areas of Aotearoa: gazillions of flies settling into your spare room, on the ceiling of a quiet place, or in the roof cavity.   The flies arrive at your place in autumn and find a good spot to hibernate – just like they do in their countries of origin: Sweden, Finland, Netherlands, Germany, the UK, the USA, and Canada.    Pollenia pediculata is the cluster fly species we discovered on the North Shore for the first time in 1984. It may have arrived in some containerised luggage or cargo (we were not sure when we found it), it’s now well-spread, often in the cooler spots of our country.   It is quite a gorgeous fly species, with golden hairs on its back – easy to spot as it often sits quietly.   Flies have just one pair of wings whereas other insect orders usually have two pairs of wings in the adult stage. The second pair of wings is turned into small “halteres”: modified hind wings that provides stability when in flight.   Flies are real acrobats: they can fly up-side-down onto the ceiling   Our cluster fly lives a peculiar life as a parasite of earthworms.    The female fly lays eggs in dense grass habitats (paddocks and lawns) and often near or in earthworm tunnels.   The larvae (aka "maggots") hatch, find themselves some way of getting into the soil (gaps around plants or through established earthworm tunnels) and gain entry into the body of an earthworm.   Inside the worm it feeds on the internal body fluids and organs.    Gross? Yep! But these flies do minimal damage to earthworm population densities.  Most animals on the planet have "parasites" that can cause damage (humans have parasites too). In spring and summer, I often see them pollinating flowers (the name “Pollenia” is a nice indicator!).  When temperatures get cooler in autumn, the cluster flies usually look for a suitable hibernation place: holes in the ground, under bark of trees, under mulch layers, etc. But if there’s a nice warm human house nearby, they will try to gain entry – by the thousands!   They crawl through small holes (ill-fitting window frames, etc) and mark their entry by leaving a residue of pheromone scent – this means that other Pollenia flies simply follow the trail and join the others.  The pheromone is rather sticky and smells somewhat of Buckwheat honey (hence the name buckwheat fly in the USA).   Cluster flies are not of medicinal importance (like some blowflies) but are hard to remove due to their messy pheromones. Best “prevention” is to ensure there are no entrance holes around the home.   A very residual aerosol can (available from SafeWorx – safety company) sprayed at the flies’ entry and exit holes, will stop them from getting inside.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Poker Face  Charlie Cale, a casino employee, has an exceptional ability to detect lies. She drives around the country and begins to solve cases of random individuals she meets on the road (TVNZ+).    Suspect: The Shooting of Jean Charles De Menezes  In London, July 2005, police hunt a rogue terrorist cell. An extraordinary series of events during a surveillance operation leads to the misidentification of an innocent young Brazilian as a suspect, resulting in his fatal shooting. As his relatives battle misinformation, they find support from an unlikely source, and the Met is plunged into crisis, forced to confront hard-truths about the shooting (Disney+).    Long Way Home    Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman get on their refurbished bike and travel from Ewan's home in Scotland to Charley's home in England; they take a two-month-long route, passing through the Arctic Circle and continental Europe (Apple TV+).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bill Gates will go broke to make the earth better   The Microsoft founder says he plans to give away 99% of his vast fortune over the next 20 years. In a blog post, he wrote that he will not die rich. He cited Andrew Carnegie’s line: “The man who dies thus rich dies disgraced.”   His foundation will close its doors permanently on December 31st, 2045. Before that it will be spending down its endowment, as well as almost all of Gates’s remaining personal fortune.   The Gates Foundation has spent $100 billion towards its health and development mission and plans to spend another $200 billion. The foundation is credited with eradicating Polo from Africa. Today, wild polio is found only in Afghanistan and Pakistan. It's helped reduce childhood deaths from 10 million a year, to five million a year.    The goals for the next 20 years:   No mum, child or baby dies of a preventable cause.  The next generation grows up in a world without deadly infectious disease.  Bring hundreds of millions of additional people out of poverty and put more countries on a path to prosperity. Fortnite is trying to get back on the Apple App Store   But will Apple allow it? It's submitted the app for Apple's review over four years after it was pulled.   Epic Games has made a peace offering with Apple that if the company complies with the court's recent ruling to end the "Apple Tax", it will drop its litigation.   The Apple Tax has forced app developers to use the App Store's payments system, and only the App Stores payment system, which then takes up to 30% of the revenue. Developers couldn't even link to a website on the signup page which would allow off-platform account creation and payment. Epic challenged Apple on this, with the court ruling it a monopoly. No surprise, Apple disagrees with the decision. Why? Because billions of dollars are at stake. Apple's lawyers wrote, "A federal court cannot force Apple to permanently give away free access to its products and services, including intellectual property”.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Another Simple Favor  Stephanie Smothers agrees to travel to Italy to be the maid of honour for the devious and cunning Emily Nelson. However, she soon suspects Emily's good will is part of an elaborate plan for revenge.    The Wedding Banquet Hoping to stay in the country, a gay man proposes a green card marriage to a female friend in exchange for paying for her IVF treatment. However, things soon get complicated when his grandmother surprises them with plans for an extravagant Korean wedding banquet.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is one of the simplest and quickest sticky bun recipes I know, and the buns are top notch.    Makes 8-10 large buns      Ingredients   Syrup   ½ cup brown sugar   3 big tablespoons butter   4 tablespoons maple syrup       Dough   1 cup warmed milk    2 teaspoons active yeast granules   1 teaspoon sugar    3 cups plain flour   ½ teaspoon salt   1 large egg   100g butter, softened       Filling   2 tablespoons butter - melted   1/3 cup brown sugar   3 teaspoons each cinnamon and mixed spice   1 cup walnut pieces, chopped roughly        Method  Line a 23cm cake tin with baking paper, making sure it comes up the sides.    Melt brown sugar, butter and maple syrup and simmer for 1 minute. Pour half of this into the base of the lined tin. In a small jug stir the yeast and warm milk and sugar together and leaving to froth for 5 minutes.    In a large bowl whisk together the flour and salt.    Whisk together frothy yeast mix and egg and pour this into the dry ingredients. Mix together with a knife until combined to a sticky dough. Add in butter a tablespoon at a time and keep mixing until it’s incorporated. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5 minutes until it is shiny and smooth. This can also be done in a mixer with a kneading attachment too. Leave to rise until doubled in size – about 60 minutes.   To assemble buns: Roll out dough to a 20x30 rectangle. Brush with melted butter then sprinkle over sugar, spices and ¾ of the walnuts. Starting from the long side furthest away from you and roll up, bringing it towards you. Use a sharp knife or, my preferred technique, dental floss or thread (see note) to cut into nine equal portions. Place in lined tin, evenly spaced to allow for expansion, cut side up. Leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size – about 45-60 minutes.    Preheat oven to 190 C fan bake. Bake for 35-40 minutes or until golden brown.    Remove buns from oven and let settle for a few minutes before turning out onto a serving dish or board. Peel off paper to reveal the syrupy buns!     To serve, top with remaining syrup and walnuts. Eat up!       Nici’s note:   Dental floss, or cotton, makes a great cutting tool when making these buns. Slide a length of thread under your dough, wrap it around the top and quickly pull it tight. The floss/thread should cut cleanly and easily right through the dough.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The centre of the world.   It’s a funny concept, really, because on a planet with 8 billion people, the world’s attention never settles on any one event or thing for much more than a moment. Most of the time you would probably argue that the world’s attention is divided and scattered. It takes an historic moment, something really big, truly significant, to hone those 8 billion sets of eyes to one point. And to be there in person, to actually experience it for yourself is to be an eyewitness to history. I met a guy who was on his OE in Europe in 1989 when he woke up one morning and heard maybe something was stirring. He hustled to a train and ended up with his photograph in the New York Times, tearing down the Berlin Wall.    Truthfully, I can’t compete with that. But by the nature of my job, I guess I’ve been fortunate to witness some reasonably significant events, first hand.    I sat there as Pope Francis addressed the General Assembly of the United Nations. I’ve seen Presidential inaugurations, Obama speaking on the mall. I was there in the room in 2016 when Donald Trump strode into a Philadelphia arena and formally accepted the Republican nomination for President of the United States.    Something tells me that despite our geographic isolation, New Zealanders are good at sniffing out big historic moments. It could be a regal one – a royal wedding of a funeral? It can be a tragic event like witnessing the 9/11 attacks.    Sport can be a good one. I saw Leo Messi score for Argentina at the opening game of the 2014 Football World Cup. That was special. And I was sitting on the finish line when Usain Bolt won the 100m at the Rio Olympic Games.    Sometimes it takes luck. Sometimes it takes money. And sometimes it takes an exclusive kind of privilege that almost none of us will ever have.   Take a papal conclave. There might be 1.4 billion Catholics on the planet, but only those cardinals who were in the room will ever truly know what it was like to be a part of that conclave. Just being outside in St Peters Square would be an incredible experience; the moment everyone saw the white smoke. But just imagine being inside. If you were to divide the number of followers worldwide by every man in that room, there are more than ten million Catholics for each individual cardinal. But only those cardinals will know what it’s like to be there in person, to see the votes tallied, to hear the new Pope choose a name.  The world’s attention might have been focused on the Vatican, waiting for the smoke, but for this moment, only a tiny few were there. 133 eyewitnesses to a moment in history. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ben Macintyre captivates readers with true stories.   He expertly unravels complex historical events, explaining sharp subplots and side characters while artfully deploying dry humour to make the true stories he tells digestible.    His most recent non-fiction work is The Siege – a story of how in April 1980, six men stormed the Iranian embassy in London and took 26 hostages they held for six days.   Macintyre told Jack Tame he was 17 when the situation took place, and since that point he’d always wanted to write about it.  “It was the most dramatic thing I’d ever seen on television,” he said.  “It was one of those stories that entered mythology very quickly – it became a sort of story of, sort of SAS daring do, and kind of you know, fighting against the odds, and you know, the story itself is much more complicated than that.”  “I've really enjoyed writing this one.”  Macintyre is coming to New Zealand for the Auckland Writer’s Festival, delving into his work at three different events across the festival.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prominent businessman, author and former politician Sir Bob Jones has died in Wellington after a brief illness - aged 85.   Jones formed the New Zealand Party in 1983, which stood for 10 years.    He received a knighthood in 1989 for services to business management and the community.   Kevin Milne told Jack Tame he will be remembered as a terrific writer.  He says Wellington already feels all the more grey for his passing.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of New Zealand’s most treasured musical acts, Sir Dave Dobbyn, will perform at Auckland Town Hall, the first time he has hit the stage there solo. The 68-year-old has previously performed at the prestigious venue with his band Th’ Dudes, but has never showcased his own set. That will change on June 4, when he and his touring band look to cover songs from his 45-year recording career. Announced as part of the Auckland Winter Concert Series lineup, Dobbyn and his band will perform everything from his celebrated anthems to “an extraordinary catalogue of deeper cuts”. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to discuss the event. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Good Mistress by Anne Tiernan   Juliet never planned to be the other woman, but Rory was the only man she'd ever loved. She was sure he'd leave his frustratingly perfect wife - until he went and ghosted her, literally. Maeve is a bestselling novelist, and yet between her exasperating husband, teenage sons and ailing mother, success feels hollow. When she dallies in a surprising infidelity of her own, her carefully constructed life begins to unravel. Erica was the perfect wife, but Rory knew things about her that no-one else can ever know. And now she's left with a question she doesn't want the answer to: had she lost Rory long before he died?   As three women's lives collide, they must reconcile the realities of love, betrayal and the limits of forgiveness - because what does it truly mean to be 'good', anyway?     The Other People by C.B. Everett   Ten strangers.  An old dark house.  A killer picking them off one by one.  And a missing girl who’s running out of time…  And then there was one.  Ten strangers wake up inside an old, locked house. They have no recollection of how they got there. In order to escape, they have to solve the disappearance of a young woman. But a killer also stalks the halls of the house and soon the body count starts to rise. Who are these strangers? Why were they chosen? Why would someone want to kill them? And who—or what—lurks in the cellar?  Forget what you think you know.  Because while you can trust yourself, can you really trust The Other People?    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Budapest has long been a punching bag for invading powers and battled over by a litany of imperial bullies. But the legacy is a city stacked with historic layer upon layer of intrigue and faded glory, some layers still decaying while others have been ambitiously restored.  I was back in the Hungarian capital with Trafalgar, one of the headline stops on their splendidly curated 10-day Imperial Europe tour." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Although we all try, budgeting doesn't work for everyone. Instead, Ed McKnight has what he calls the 'Economist's Pay Routine', an alternative that allows you to budget without budgeting. He joined Jack Tame to break down the method. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 3 May 2025, author Ben Macintyre joins Jack to discuss his expertise in espionage and latest non-fiction book ‘The Siege’ ahead of his trip to NZ for the Writer's Festival.  Jack reflects on dear memories.  Nici Wickes serves up a recipe that can be whipped up in no time with ingredients you likely already have in the pantry.  Now is the time to act to protect your stonefruit for next summer. Man-in-the-garden Ruud Kleinpaste discusses what to look out for and the importance of timing.  Plus, Dave Dobbyn has announced a special show at Auckland's Town Hall. Estelle Clifford digs deep into his archive to take a punt at what the setlist may feature.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Mother’s Day coming up soon, many will be casting around for ideas of what to get that special figure in their life.  Kate Hall has a few ideas on how to keep the day sustainable.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.