Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Adolescence    A family's world turns upside down when 13-year-old Jamie Miller is arrested for murdering a schoolmate. The charges against their son force them to confront every parent's worst nightmare (Netflix). Dope Thief    Two lifelong friends pose as DEA agents to rob a house, only to have their small-time grift become a life-and-death enterprise, as they reveal and unravel a big hidden narcotics corridor on the Eastern Seaboard (Apple TV+). Formula 1: Drive to Survive The drivers, managers and team owners in Formula 1 live life in the fast lane -- both on and off the track. This docuseries gives viewers exclusive, intimate access to the people in one of the world's greatest racing competitions. Formula 1: Drive to Survive reveals the true story of the high-octane sport, which goes beyond the fight to be No. 1 (Netflix).  Season 6 released in late February.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

No matter what age you are, you can always stumble across something that makes you feel old.   It’s Kevin Milne’s birthday next week, and he recently came across one such thing during a trip to his local mall: a bitcoin ATM.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Bag   When his beloved wife, Kathryn, is suspected of betraying the nation, intelligence agent George Woodhouse faces the ultimate test -- loyalty to his marriage or his country.     Hard Truths   Pansy, angry and depressed, lashes out at family and strangers. Her constant criticism isolates her, except from her cheerful sister Chantelle, who remains sympathetic despite their differences.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Feijoas are in season! Soon we’ll be drowning in them, but for now they’re still a novelty and worthy of turning into something super special like these gorgeous little tarts.    Makes 12      Ingredients  2-3 sheets store-bought sweet short crust pastry    ¼ cup brown sugar   ½ cup milk   ½ cup sweetened condensed milk   1 ½ teaspoon vanilla extract   60g melted butter   2 ½ cups desiccated coconut   2 tablespoons plain flour   1 teaspoon baking powder   12 slices of feijoa      Method  Preheat oven to 170 fan bake.    Lightly dust the work surface with flour and roll out the chilled pastry to a bit thinner than it comes. Using a cookie cutter, cut pastry into circles to line the holes of a 12-hole muffin tin.    In a bowl, whisk sugar, condensed milk, vanilla extract, melted butter and milk until smooth. Stir in coconut, flour and baking powder.    Spoon filling into the pastry. Top each with a slice of feijoa.    Bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes or until they turn golden brown and fully cooked. Remove from the oven and allow to cool for about 10 minutes before removing from the muffin tin to cool completely.    Eat up! Or store in an airtight containing once cooled.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“Canada will never be part of the United States!”   That was the defining line of Mark Carney’s first speech as Canada’s new Prime Minister overnight. It was not said in jest or as a joke. It said as a statement of firm defiance, a serious response to Donald Trump’s ‘51st State’ taunts.   I can’t think of a time in my life where so much in the World was changing so quickly, where so much we took for granted was being tipped on its head. I bet Mark Carney can’t either! Just a few weeks ago, his party was 25 points behind Canada’s Conservatives in the polls. He wasn’t even a politician! Now he’s Canada’s Prime Minister. There it is, I suppose... the power of Donald Trump.   It’s interesting how differently Mexico and Canada have approached the Trump Presidency. Mexico was kind of used to Trump’s hostility from his first term and its government has taken a softly-softly-gently-gently approach, delaying retaliation and hoping that negotiations will spare them the worst of the economic pressure. They’ve been surprisingly quiet. Canada’s opted for a much more combative response, from its big retaliatory tariffs to the ice hockey fans booing the US National Anthem, and the nationwide coordinated campaign not to buy American-made stuff.    The irony of Mark Carney’s rapid rise to Canadian Prime Minister is that his party’s support has come at the expense of a political opposition in Canada that was arguably much more closely aligned to the US Republicans and Donald Trump. It’s so ridiculous – Canada’s opposition leader has effectively been reduced to posting social media videos, insisting ‘Donald Trump hates me too!’   Fundamentally, no country is going to out-muscle the US in an economic fight. Not Canada, not Mexico, not Australia, and certainly not New Zealand. And I reckon what’s lacking at the moment is a more forceful, coordinated international response. Most countries are sucking up to Trump while keeping their heads down and hoping not to attract Trump’s ire. As Canada is bashed by tariffs, it seems absurd their King could possibly go ahead in welcoming Donald Trump to the UK for an official state visit.    Winston Peters is in Washington DC this week. From New Zealand’s perspective, I reckon there’s probably no better person for the job at this moment. And in those meetings, for now, we will no doubt continue to try and maintain a low profile.   That makes sense for now. You just have to hope that behind the scenes, like-minded countries are quietly coordinating on a longer-term strategy. Playing a small target game only makes sense until for whatever reason you do catch the President’s attention. It could be something so minor: a dumb tweet, a viral video, or an ill-advised comment from a diplomat. The temptation for leaders around the World is to shut up and hope their countries can slip by, unnoticed. But in the long term that’s no way to defeat a bully. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 8 March 2025, kiwi art legend Dick Frizzell shares his journey from Mickey to Tiki and back again, discussing his new memoir. Jack admits a new fixation. It's the season for sauces, chutneys and jams! Expert chef Nici Wickes talks all things bottling and jarring and a how-to for the perfect pear and sultana chutney. AI is advancing quickly and coming with a crazy cost - Paul Stenhouse gives the lowdown/.  Plus, sustainable queen Kate Hall has done the digging for us and reveals what's cheaper for fresh produce, the supermarket or local fruit and veg boxes? Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World famous in New Zealand, Dick Frizzell is a defining force in our art scene. You will know his work on Kiwiana icons like the Four Square man with moko and Mickey to Tiki. He has worked across many mediums and is about to release a memoir titled, Hastings: A Boy’s Own Adventure. Dick Frizzell joins Jack Tame to discuss his iconic work and upcoming book. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reviewers are saying Lady Gaga has dialed back to her purest form in new album ‘Mayhem’. The singer is drawing on the simplicity of her 2008 debut ‘The Fame’ that played with the idea of pop music. Estelle Clifford talks to Jack Tame about the new album. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dreamcount by Chiamanda Ngozi Adichie From award-winning author of Americanah and We Should All Be Feminists. Chiamaka is a Nigerian travel writer living in America. Alone in the midst of the pandemic, she recalls her past lovers and grapples with her choices and regrets. Zikora, her best friend, is a lawyer who has been successful at everything until — betrayed and brokenhearted — she must turn to the person she thought she needed least. Omelogor, Chiamaka’s bold, outspoken cousin, is a financial powerhouse in Nigeria who begins to question how well she knows herself. And Kadiatou, Chiamaka’s housekeeper, is proudly raising her daughter in America – but faces an unthinkable hardship that threatens all she has worked to achieve. In Dream Count, Adichie trains her fierce eye on these women in a sparkling, transcendent novel that takes up the very nature of love itself. Presumed Guilty by Scott Turow New from the author of Presumed Innocent, the #1 bestseller that redefined the legal thriller and is the basis for Apple TV+'s most-watched drama series ever (starring Jake Gyllenhaal). In Presumed Guilty, Rusty is a retired judge attempting a third act in life with a loving soon-to-be wife, Bea, with whom he shares both a restful home on an idyllic lake in the rural Midwest and a plaintive hope that this marriage will be his best, and his last.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The wondrous Ruapehu region never ceases to amaze me at its capacity to stir all senses, from its expansive platter of leisurely outdoorsy pursuits. It easily ranks as one of my all-time favourite playgrounds in New Zealand and I have revelled in its glories via a multitude of modes in recent years. I have savoured exceptional mountain bike trails, jet boating, quad biking and world-class hiking. Not to mention skiing. But in the autumn months, why not head to the heart of Tongariro National Park and take a ride to the summit of Ruapehu from Whakapapa village? The radiant Sky Waka, New Zealand’s longest gondola ride, fully warrants the stature as a signature Kiwi experience. I’ve always been in awe of the alpine engineering audacity of the Swiss – and the Sky Waka absolutely projects that same sense of spine-tingling prowess. Spanning 1.8km from the base station and zipping you up 390m, Whakapapa’s dramatically serrated volcanic landscape sweeps you up, as you gawp in wonder out of the glasshouse-like cabin, luxuriously appointed with heated leather seating! Situated at 2,020m above sea level, the cherry on top is Whakapapa Ski Area's Knoll Ridge Chalet which is New Zealand’s highest café.    As you gush superlatives over the horizon-searching views, it’s a novel perch to enjoy coffee from Pātaka, drinks in The Back Bar, or nosh in style while marvelling at the skyline from Knoll Ridge’s giant floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking The Pinnacles. I highly recommend “Tea at 2020m”, Whakapapa’s stirring take on traditional high tea. It’s actually considered the highest high tea on the planet, with a delectable tiered stand of sandwiches, savouries and cakes to work your way through. It’s currently available until the end of April, prior to the mountain’s seasonal switch to winter activities. After feasting on far too many tasty morsels,  the mountain trails were calling. There are over 10km of marked trails to strike out on, ranging from 20 minute strolls to 3 hours return alpine hikes. Without its snow-coat, it’s a compelling way to admire the dramatic terrain and its mash-up of volcanic rock, pumice, scoria and sand. Close to Chateau Tongariro, there’s a stack of tasty wee tracks. The Tawhai Falls walk is a heart-stealer, leading you through mountain toatoa and beech forest to a waterfall tumbling over the edge of an ancient lava flow. It’s one of two waterfalls used in Lord of the Rings that depicted Gollum fishing, hence its nickname is Gollum’s Pool. (Mangawhero Falls, very close to Waitonga Falls, is the other location that was cast as Gollum’s Pool.)   It was sad to see the sorry sight of the moth-balled Chateau Tongariro, although the local rumour mill suggests a wealthy Irish businessman is a hot prospect to breathe new life into the grand lady. Just behind the Chateau, Taranaki Falls is a return walk for even grander waterworks. Passing through a mix of tussock, alpine shrublands and beech forest, the track wraps around the lower slopes of Ruapehu, with vintage views of Ngauruhoe’s symmetrical cone. A flock of native birds, including whiteheads and grey warblers, serenaded my stroll all the way to Taranaki Falls, tumbling 20 metres over the edge of a large andesite lava flow which erupted from Ruapehu 15,000 years ago. If you’re up for a half-day advanced hike, I definitely recommend the Tupapakura Falls walk. It starts just out of National Park village, on Fishers Road. The track has been upgraded by the local community in partnership with the Department of Conservation. It begins with an easy 20 minute walk to the Taranaki Lookout, serving up panoramic wide-range perspectives of Mt Taranaki and Mt Ruapehu. Beyond this point, the trail becomes a back country adventure track, which will test your stamina in the Erua Forest. The track follows a ridge and then descends steeply to a stream. There are good stands of tawa, mature rimu, miro and totara to see along the way. Climbing from the stream, the track winds its way around bluffs to a sparkling lookout point with views of the long-drop falls. You’ll need at least four hours to knock off this 11km long track. Refuel? Reward yourself with a thirst-quencher at Schnapps Bar & Restaurant in National Park Village. Heading south? Synonymous with Ohakune as much as carrots, the famed main-street Chocolate Éclair Shop is worth the trip alone. Sinking your teeth into one of their celebrated giant cream-filled, chocolate-topped pastries is one of life’s great pleasures. Just north of town, a curious diversion is Horopito Motors. It’s featured in two classic Kiwi flicks, Smash Palace and Goodbye Pork Pie. Nicknamed Smash Palace, for a gold coin donation, you can see some film memorabilia and have a look around the yard. It’s quite a yard –  more like a vast car graveyard because Smash Palace are the biggest vintage car dismantlers in Australasia. It’s like an enormous op-shop for old cars.  They sell parts around the world

Locally grown fruit and vegetable boxes are often seen as the more expensive option as opposed to buying produce from the supermarket. Sustainability expert Kate Hall is setting the record straight and debunking that myth. Kate tells Jack Tame buying non-organic produce from the supermarket would have cost her $22.13 more than getting an organic fruit and veggie box delivered right to her door. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This last summer has seen a number of ZB talkback listeners complaining about scarlet runner beans mis-behaving. Two main types of troubles were reported: 1) suddenly no more bean pods were growing despite the plant getting to its normal height. 2) At the start of harvesting mature beans, the leaves begin to turn yellow – going down and down. Scarlet Runner Beans originate from Central America and they like well-drained soil (loam) in a sunny spot.  Plant the seeds under a tall support to allow the plants grow up and up, the root systems will survive the winter for next year’s crop. They are perennials!! These beans are Nitrogen Fixers. They don’t need much Nitrogen (they make their own), but love Potash and Phosphate.  They are long-Season growers with red flowers, pollinated by bees and bumblebees. Harvest the mature pods regularly and watering regularly to prevent them from drying out (not toooo wet, please!) What could cause the sudden troubles with the formation of bean pods? Lack of Pollination (not enough pollinators); Hot weather, especially when that happens at night – lack of water would make that worse. Bees sometimes “rob” the nectar from flowers by chewing them open. Leaving pods on the plant too long may reduce future seed production. I decided to contact my old friend and DSIR colleague from way back: Dr Keith Hammett, a well-known plant breeder and famous for creating amazing new varieties of sweet peas and…  Dahlias (also a perennial plant!) He came up with some great stories and a possible solution to the yellowing and ill-thrift of Scarlet runners: In the UK these climbing beans were grown as annuals: plant new seeds every spring. If you’d leave the tubers in the soil they were more than likely killed by frost. (“as would Dahlias” said Keith) In New Zealand’s warmer climate zones we can keep the tubers in the soil, so they will be able to successfully over-winter (they behave like Perennials). Interestingly, the perennial scarlet runners produce beans a little earlier than the sown scarlet runners. The comparison of Beans with Dahlias is quite interesting: We can leave Dahlia tubers in the soil for several growing seasons, but the performance of the older, perennial plants falls away. It is the build-up of previous year’s growth that tends to choke the plants. Top Dahlia exhibitors would only ever grow plants grown from cuttings; “Youthful tissue and all that… with no old stuff in the way” Keith has three tripods of Scarlet Runners (third season) on the go in his garden. One of them is showing those debilitating features with yellowing leaves…. He attributes that to stress and an old tuber giving up the ghost For what it’s worth… maybe a good idea to sow new seeds in spring?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rimapere 2022 Baron Edmonde de Rothschild Plot 101 Sauvignon Blanc $45 Why I chose it: Kiwi wine with a French accent Owned by the prestigious French wine group “Baron Edmonde de Rothschild” Sauvignon blancdoesn’t get much better than this”. Bottle age has mellowed the wine and added complex flavours. Prestige label “Plot 101” What does it taste like? Hand-picked, aged on lees and with 50% fermented in barrels to give the wine a rich texture while retaining a strong fruit emphasis. Serious, complex sauvignon. Why it’s a bargain: It’s not cheap but it is very good, which in my book makes it a good value wine. Where can you buy it? Glengarry Wines. Auckland $37.99. Food match? Most seafood dishes, my favourite is green-lipped mussel fritters. Will it keep? Good drinking now, should get even more interesting over the next 2-3 years. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the founders of Google has a new Company Surprise, surprise it's involving AI. But it's not trying to help you in your digital life - instead it's designed to create physical products and send them for manufacturing. The goal is to make the products 'highly optimized' for efficient creation in the factory. It's a small team at the moment, with no web presence.  ChatGPT can now code for you If you've got a Mac, the ChatGPT app now has the ability to connect to your developer tools, read existing code, and even make edits for you on "auto-apply" mode. There have been other tools that have offered this type of service, but it shows that ChatGPT wants to be the go-to app to get things done. This new “work with apps” feature effectively takes over control of an app for you, suggesting it could possibly start doing things for you across systems.  Would you pay $240,000 a year for an AI agent? Reports suggest ChatGPT is looking to go 'Pro Max Plus'.. whatever the term would be.. for a highly specialized AI agent they say is designed to assist with PhD research.  They're also looking at agents to replace “high-income knowledge workers” for $2,000 a month, and a software developer agent for $10,000 a month. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Secrets at Red Rocks - (Neon, Sky Open from March 9) Based on the award-winning novel by Rachael King, this family-friendly local drama tells the story of 12 year-old Jake, who discovers a sealskin in Wellington and unleashes mythical creatures and dangers. Dope Girls - (TVNZ+) In London's murky underworld, a widowed single mother builds a nightclub and cocaine empire to support her family, soon becoming the most dangerous woman in a city shaken by war. Protection - (TVNZ+) Siobhan Finneran (Happy Valley) stars in this British drama as a witness protection officer who must answers questions after a shooting at a safe house. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preserving Time! Pear Chutney is just divine and we can have a general chat about preserving, noting that this is the season for making sauces, chutneys and jams, as well as bottling and freezing fruit and veges too.  Pear & Sultana Chutney This is a great all round chutney that is just as perfect with cheese and crackers as it is on roasted meats or vegetables.  Pear & Sultana Chutney This is a great all round chutney that is just as perfect with cheese and crackers as it is on roasted meats or vegetables.  Ingredients: 1 large onion, chopped finely 1kg chopped pears, not too ripe 2 apples, chopped 250g brown sugar 200g sultanas, feel free to go half n half currants/sultanas 300mls apple cider vinegar 1 tsp fennel seeds 1 tsp all spice 1 tspsalt ½ tsp freshly ground black pepper Method: Slowly bring all of the ingredients to a boil in a saucepan. Reduce the heat and let it happily simmer away for 1-1.5 hours until the onions and pears are truly softened. Mash or beat with an egg beater until it’s a little pulpy. Heat 4-5 medium jars in a 150 C oven for 10 minutes to sterilise. Pour boiling water over the lids to sterilise. Spoon the hot chutney into the hot jars. Run a knife around the inside of each filled jar to tease any air bubbles out. Wipe the rims clean and place the lids on tightly.  Wipe the jars clean and cool before storing in a cupboard for 3 weeks minimum. This chutney will keep for at least 12 months. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mickey 17 - (in cinemas) Starring Robert Pattinson. Directed by Bong Joon-ho of Parasite & Snowpiercer. A disposable employee is sent on a human expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. After one iteration dies, a new body is regenerated with most of his memories intact. Spit- (in cinemas) David Wenham returns as John “Spit” Spitieri, the iconic crim of Australian cinema, in this sequel to Gettin' Square. LISTEN ABOVE.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Blues lost by one point to the Canberra Brumbies last night at Eden Park. The match is the first time the Australian’s have beat the Blues at home since 2013. Beauden Barrett left the pitch at half time with a hand injury. Andrew Saville talks to Jack Tame about the Super Rugby match and the potential of America’s Cup returning to New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Donald Trump has consistently been in the news since he began his second term as US President. This week he has clashed with Elon Musk, paused tariffs on Mexico and Canada, threatened new tariffs on Canada, and spoken on behalf of Putin for the war in Ukraine. But what do Kiwi’s think of the President? Kevin Milne says a quarter of New Zealanders would have voted for Trump. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gas.  I think of all the things I knew (in theory) about parenting a new-born but had to experience in person to fully appreciate, it is the myriad curiosities of a two-and-a-half-week-old’s digestive tract that have left me the most befuddled.  I knew in theory that babies had to be burped. I knew in theory they often have problems and discomfort when digesting their latest feeds. I knew in theory that a baby with gas or an obstruction somewhere in his gut might even wake himself up. I guess I’m just shocked at the speed with which I’ve transformed into one of those parents totally obsessed with his baby son’s belches and bowels.  It’s the pain, that does it. When something’s trapped somewhere deep, the way his little face scrunches up and contorts, how he writhes and twists and clenches every muscle in his body. Often I’m holding him and he’s holding me, his tiny little hand gripping my index finger as he clenches, his fingers white and his face a crimson red with the strain and effort.  Before you ask, yes, I have tried various techniques for getting things moving at both ends. In fact, my social media feed these days seems to be nothing but baby osteopaths folding infants in half. There’s the classic baby-over the shoulder, pat on the back. There’s the stomach massage, the bicycle legs, and the deep squat. There’s the baby over the forearm, neck-supported facing out, and the baby-over-the-forearm, neck-supported facing in. My personal favourite is the wiggle-waggle, where you lift him under his armpits with one hand, and take his weight under his butt with the other. You gently move your hands in different directions to bring a range of movement to his digestive track, in the hope you will be rewarded with a range of movements in return. I knew we’d have disrupted sleep. I just never really accounted for the gas part of being up at night. His mum feeds him – not much I can do there – but the of course, one of us has to sit up imbed for a non-specific amount of time... just waiting. You can never be totally sure he’s been fully burped. There’s no finish line as it were. It’s a judgement call. And at 2.53am when your body is urging you to lie-down and go back to sleep (“Look at him, he seems fiiine”) – you know that if you pull the trigger too early, he’ll be waking himself up in twenty minutes, twisting and groaning in bed.  When you think about it, it’s pretty crazy that new-borns go from relying on the placenta for all their nutrients to instantly switching on the full length of the complex human digestive tract. It’s not like they ease into it. Alas, as our son’s milk intake has increased, his digestive tract has not quite kept pace. Put simply, the outputs don’t always match the inputs. It’s perfectly normal, of course, and he’s far too young to be hurrying up with a tray of black coffee and prune juice, but sometimes his stomach feels hard to the touch.  Cruelly, his preferred way of soothing his discomfort is to feed again, which then exacerbates the problem. At 19-days-old he’s not yet ready to listen to reason or comprehend the concept of a vicious cycle.  I’m back in the office fulltime this week after a wonderful period at home. But I can tell you already that my texts with my wife are gonna’ take on a grimly digestive line of inquiry. The thing about parenting is that while your share in your child’s discomfort you also share in their almighty relief. Especially when someone else is on clean-up.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Listen to the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 1 March. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Music Reviewer Estelle Clifford talks to Jack Tame about Kiwi duo Foley.  The pair have released a brand new album 'THAT’S LIFE, BABY!', summing up their approach to life in a bright and punchy pop collection.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Three Days in June by Anne Tyler It’s the day before her daughter’s wedding and things are not going well for Gail Baines. First thing, she loses her job – or quits, depending who you ask. Then her ex-husband Max turns up at her door expecting to stay for the festivities. He doesn’t even have a suit. Instead, he’s brought memories, a shared sense of humour – and a cat looking for a new home. Just as Gail is wondering what’s next, their daughter Debbie discovers her groom has been keeping a secret… The Sequel by Jean Hanff Korelitz In The Plot, Jacob Finch Bonner was a washed up writer who stole the plot for a novel and then really hit the big time. Now in The Sequel, he's met an untimely death and his grieving widow Anna is picking up the royalty checks before writing a novel of her own.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In all my travels, I’ve never encountered anything quite like it, particularly given its magnitude. Prising open the mighty King Country, Forgotten World Adventures (FWA) offers remarkable excursions, riding the rails of an abandoned railway line, stretching from the northern tip of the Ruapehu District to heartland Taranaki. It’s not only an enduring totem to our guts-and-glory pioneering heritage but a more modern-day manifestation of gritty Kiwi ingenuity – and repurposing! Based in Taumarunui, FWA is an incredibly enterprising tourism venture boasting a compelling platter of soft adventure excursions, prising open the legends, heritage and unspoilt scenery of the hinterland. Forgotten World Adventures re-opened 142 kilometres of this decommissioned railway line in 2012, including 24 tunnels and 92 bridges – all built from hand. Founded by Ian Balme, this Waikato farmer dared to dream big, turning a mothballed rusting eyesore into a visionary business. For the past three years, FWA has been owned and operated by Grant Ross and Laura Wackett. They both have a fascinating backstory, principally in international television production, while Grant was also previously a professional rugby player in South Africa and France.  Originally from Wellington, Grant is revelling in steering a homegrown enterprise, which was quite the baptism of fire given New Zealand was still wrestling with Covid when he purchased the business. He’s very hands-on and highly engaging with guests. It was fascinating to chat to him about the challenges and rewards of the job – like when a massive storm buried the tunnel entrances in a pile of mud! The prohibitive costs of constant track maintenance underpinned KiwiRail’s decision to pull the plug on the line’s operation in 2010. Taking nearly 32 years to build, the Stratford – Okahukura Line (SOL) finally opened in 1932 and linked up with the main trunk line through Taumarunui to Auckland. Working gangs sawed and blasted their way through the bush-draped hinterland to lay the tracks of this steel artery. It cost 2.5 million pounds to build this line, equating to billions of dollars today – the most expensive rail line in our nation’s history. They even built massive timber-trestle viaducts across the likes of the Mangatatoko Ravine, now overgrown in bush, because it would have been too difficult to maintain such a sky-high bridge. The engineering prowess was extraordinary. The line had been commissioned to transport products from the emerging farming, coal and logging industries.  At its peak, there were 15 stations in operation on this line – now, concrete platforms serve as sobering memorial slabs to a bygone age. FWA operate six unique guided adventures, whether you’re after a half-day excursion, full day or multi-day adventure. If you want to ride the entire 142km-long line to Stratford, that’s a two-day affair, but I plumped for the full-day rail car ride to the self-declared Republic of Whangamōmona. You can do it one-way in either direction, with a night’s stay in the irrepressible Whangamōmona Hotel. The historic hotel was built in 1912 and the area’s proud history is lustily showcased on the pub walls. But full drama ensued in 1989when  Whangamōmona threw a strop and declared its independence. It was prompted by local government reforms which carved up the boundaries of the Whangamōmona district, which resulted in half the district ending up in Manawatu-Whanganui, when most folk associate themselves with the Taranaki region. So they declared independence in the pub and continue celebrating Republic Day in January. You can even get your passport stamped at the pub counter. You’ll love the ebullient spirit of the hotel and its patrons, with excellent meals and comfortable accommodation. Arriving into the main street, with its heritage shop facades, you’ll feel like you’ve been transported into a Wild West movie set. It’s utterly enthralling, and home to one of New Zealand’s legendary watering holes. Meeting up with my FWA guide Ray, we set off from Whangamōmona, under bright blue skies, for our full-day ride back to Okahukura. Ray knows this wild region intimately, guiding since 2016 and prior to that delivering rural mail. He was an exceptional host on the rails, informative and effusively passionate about the region's rich heritage. This is certainly no train ride, but a unique self-drive rail journey in converted golf carts, where you’re in charge of the pedals. Petrol powered and limited to a top speed of 22km an hour, these souped-up golf carts originate from Arizona, but given the lush and vivid greenness of the surrounding landscape, they certainly don’t look out of place. I was half expecting a vast fairway to appear on the horizon. The weirdest initiation is feeling comfortable not steering the wheel, because you’re firmly affixed to the rails. No turning required!  The mining and milling heyday of the Forgotten World region may have long faded but th

A recent research article titled “happiness depletes me,” found that trying to be happy (which is defined as striving to experience as much positive emotion as possible and avoid negative emotions) leads to decreased feelings of happiness, and increased levels of loneliness and low energy. The basic idea is that trying to deliberately change your thoughts and behaviour to be happy means you tend to overlook small naturally occurring moments of happiness. The effort leaves you drained and more likely to make poor decisions such as overspending or overeating, which in turn make you feel unhappy. Not a new idea – brought to prominence in a book in 2007 by Russ Harris called “The Happiness Trap” So if your life isn’t going to be focused on finding happiness what should it be focused on? Happiness Trap suggests: Accepting that negative thoughts and emotions are natural and part of life, do don’t fight against them Enjoy positive emotions when they do occur, and pay attention to the small things in life Live life by trying to act in accordance with your values. One way of identifying core values for you is to ask yourself how you would like other people to describe you in 3 words. The 3 words you choose probably reflect your values. Use these to guide how you live your life. Happiness will occur at times as a pleasant side-effect but life overall will be more worth living. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We are now in Autumn and that means some wonderful vegetables are needing to be sown or planted asap. Here in Canterbury, I germinated a row of seeds of French beans – a few weeks ago. They came up pretty quickly and hopefully our late summer will be better than our “summer summer” (which was pretty awful with lower temps and less sunshine than “average”). In the North Island Your final call for these beans is now. Well-drained soil, nice and moist and in a sunny warm spot, 10 cm separation and keep the weeds under control. Late summer is also great for peas. Honestly, these are going a lot better when it gets cooler, but seeing we have a longer day-length compared to the early winter situation, you’ll be able to harvest them in large numbers. Mind you, Peas can be planted through autumn and early spring. Their seeds contain a lot of “reserves” to grow in the cooler months; well-drained soils, friable and with compost. Chuck some pea-straw over the soil to help them along. But I am trying to get ahead of schedule to get some early peas. Broad beans, similar gig! Plenty of growth potential and they might ripen quite early too These are good greens for the winter (if you like them) Broad beans with pretty crimson flowers Carrot seedlings will also germinate at lower temperatures; Remember to create a soil that is free of lumps and stones, so that the carrots keep straight and do not “fork”. An extra handful of Phosphate will give them the impetus to grow nice roots. I start early so we’ll have carrots continuously for the next few months. Using the carrot “seed-tape” makes sense: they are nicely spaced and can be thinned when they take off, Julie seems to prefer the thinner, young carrots, whereas I cook the bigger ones as vegie strips in my Nasi Goreng. Broccoli is another suitable winter vegetable that can be planted now – in fact while there’s still some temperature in the soil they’ll grow well in the next few months – even if they slow down afterwards, you’ve got more than a month’s worth of advance before they start taking it easy – slow ripening means that they don’t all ripen at once, so pick the biggest ones as they mature. Most other cabbage varieties will also grow from now onSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Is cash a good gift for children?  Personal wealth educator Lisa Dudson unwraps the idea with Jack Tame, and gives her tips on the best thing to teach our children about money.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Skype is shutting down on May 5.  It was the OG video calling app, but now Microsoft is all in on Teams. Microsoft has developed a way for users to port their Skype account over to a free version of Teams, or to export their data. It's nice that they're making the choices and options clear. There's one big piece missing though - the ability to call people using phone numbers. This is probably a good thing.. Microsoft has multiple services - Teams, Skype, Lync - over the years that have all largely done the same thing, but are just integrated into the wider ecosystem differently. They bought Skype in 2011 for $8.5b - 14 years ago!  Katy Perry is going to space! She'll be flying on Jeff Bezo's Blue Origin rocket in the next few months. She's making the trip with Jeff Bezo's fiancé - Lauren Sanchez - along with newscaster Gayle King (who is Oprah's best friend), a research scientist, a film producer and a former NASA rocket scientist. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Toxic Town - (Netflix) Based on a true story and featuring an all-star cast, this British drama follows the story of three mothers involved in the Corby toxic waste case as they battled to hold those responsible to account. The Mission - (Netflix) A documentary series that sees reporter Marc Fennell investigate a 1980s art heist in the Australian Outback, unravelling a true-crime story of bizarre revelations. Running Point - (Netflix) Kate Hudson stars in this American sports comedy about a reformed party girl who has to prove herself when she’s unexpectedly put in charge of her family’s basketball team. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Wenham is an Australian actor who has really made his mark. From Lord of the Rings, Van Helsing and Lion, he has a new film out, ‘Spit’. The film is a sequal to the 2003 movie ‘Gettin’ Square’. David Wenham talks to Jack Tame about the role. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne had his first experience with an online art auction.  He said it was better than the movies … although unsuccessful.  Kevin told Jack Tame about how one piece sold for more than double the expected price.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As a sports fan, I suppose it was actually a genuinely meaningful moment. I was sitting on the couch last night. 7.28pm. Sleeping baby in my arms. Remote in my hand. A decision to make. Do I watch Moana Pasifika play the Highlanders? Neither of which is my first choice team but Super Rugby is Super Rugby and it was a local derby, no less. Or do I switch channels and watch the Phoenix play Melbourne City in the A-League? Again, not a result I was particularly invested in or angsting over but a game I knew enough about to at least know it was being played. It’s kind of ridiculous, the extent to which our household has been caught up in the Auckland FC ride. After we attended the first couple of games – and loved it – my wife ended up splurging on memberships for the rest of the season for me and our 8-year-old boy. From a live sport perspective, they’ve absolutely nailed a couple of fundamentals. For starters, there is an amazing family atmosphere. They’ve had various play areas for the kids: blow-up football arenas, a huge artificial beach behind one of the goals for the kids to make sandcastles, and an enormous blow-up slide stretching the length of the northern embankment, sliding down which on day one I very nearly lost my shorts. Games kick off at 5pm so you’re home with the kids by 8pm at the latest. I think one of the most under-rated qualities is the stadium. Warriors fans know this, too. Go-Media (Mt Smart) was a sell-out last weekend for the derby. 27,000 people. The atmosphere was incredible! And while most games don’t get quite that many fans, it’s always closer to full than empty. You never get that feeling you sometimes get in big stadiums, when it feels like you’re watching a game in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. I really hope sports administrators take note: it is so much better to watch live sport in a full mid-size stadium than to watch it an empty big stadium. Anyway..back to my decision. My vote with the remote. In some ways, I reckon the real measure of Auckland FC’s success is the stuff on the periphery. The stuff that’s bigger than the team. I’m not naïve enough to think they’ll keep winning forever! Since the start of the A-League season, our boy has become obsessed with football. He spends hours in the backyard practising skills and accidentally kicking his ball into the neighbour’s swimming pool. He went and picked up ‘The Encyclopaedia of Football’ from the library, and makes me read to him as his bedtime story the excruciating detail contained within. Last week I had to read a whole chapter on football pitch turf preparation techniques. He’s eight! He sat there, transfixed, as I ran through a paragraph on the drainage system at Wembley. And, if I’m honest, I have been affected too. At least I realised I have, last night, when instead of picking the game I would’ve picked to watch every Friday for the last thirty years, I switched from an exciting, close game of Super Rugby to the A-League instead. I switched from an exciting, close game of Super Rugby to the A-League instead. I wonder how many households in New Zealand might be doing the same.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Groove Armada are legends of dance and electronic music. Tom Findlay and Andy Cato make up the duo – and have been pumping out tracks for over a quarter of a century, building a reputation as one of the best. They’ve captured the magic... they’ve reached iconic status... they’ve had to cancel gigs because they were scared too many people would turn up. And they’re coming back to New Zealand to round off our summer with a bang. The pair are set to play at Auckland Domain next weekend before heading down to Queenstown, Christchurch and Wellington. Ticket information can be found at endeavour.live/groovearmada LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 22 February 2025, Groove Armada are bringing their genre-defying discography down under and catch up with Jack to chat raves, record deals and regenerative farming. Every parent has a birth story - and now Jack does too. Making the most of stone fruit season, Nici Wickes share a delightful peach and blueberry tart recipe. Tara Ward dishes all on the brand-new season of The White Lotus. And, Chris Schulz took one for the team and danced the night away at Australasia's biggest two-day festival Electric Avenue. He gives some insight into the spectacle. Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Hagley Park plays host now to the biggest two-day festival in all of Australasia, Electric Ave, and entertainment reporter Chris Schultz is there live.  "It really is something, the city is maxed out - you can't get accommodation, there's queues for food places all over town. Its that busy down here."  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jackie – Public, Private, Secret by J. Randy Taraborrelli About first lady Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis. The book includes a number of details about Kennedy's private life that had not previously been made public. The Let Them Theory by Mel Robbins What if the key to happiness, success, and love was as simple as two words? If you've ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or frustrated with where you are, the problem isn't you. The problem is the power you give to other people. Two simple words-Let Them-will set you free. Free from the opinions, drama, and judgments of others. Free from the exhausting cycle of trying to manage everything and everyone around you. The Let Them Theory puts the power to create a life you love back in your hands.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the alluring, unmistakable truths about Hanmer Springs is that the gorgeous alpine haven has stayed true to its roots. It’s been a sanctuary for the weary and the leisure-seeking for centuries. With a long and storied legacy as a hot-spot for healing mind, body and soul, Hanmer Springs proudly remains a premium alpine spa destination, whether you’re a loved-up couple looking for a weekend escape, treating the whole family to some elemental treats, or you’re after some personal pampering. And it’s just an easy90 minute drive from Christchurch Airport, through the bucolic North Canterbury hinterland. Nature is the unbeatable balm to sooth the soul and spark your spirits in this secluded high-country basin. My first stop was at the resort village’s crowning glory, Hanmer Springs Thermal Pools & Spa. With a lustrous back-story, the hot springs were developed as a publicly-owned bathhouse in 1884, fortuitously chiming with that insatiable Victorian passion for geothermal water and its therapeutic qualities. Prior to that, pounamu-gathering Māori had used the area as a resting place for centuries, while returning soldiers were sent to Hanmer to recuperate, after both world wars. (It’s great to see the historic old Soldiers’ Block, next to the pools, is currently being restored and set to reopen on Anzac Day.) Hanmer Springs is my runaway favourite place to get into hot water. But before surrendering to the sweet sensation of this watery wonderland, my body was in need of some professional panel-beating, so I headed to The Spa Hanmer Springs. It’s one of New Zealand’s busiest day spas, so book in advance and take your pick from the slew of exquisite treatments, from facials and feet retreats to the full body affair.  I was booked in for a Spa Signature Massage, which is a full body relaxation massage. But as I chatted to my charming therapist Sophie about my various aches and pains, she switched up the treatment into a deep tissue recovery massage. Spending copious hours on the keyboard and long-distance driving, plus several days of line-trimming my jungle-like garden into a presentable state had all taken its toll. Over the course of an hour, Sophie’s skilful techniques dealt to all the knots in my lower back, and released the stress and strain from my muscles. It was a liberating, corrective massage and I floated out of the spa like a happy little cloud.  Luring over half a million visitors annually, the adjoining thermal pools complex is a sizzling attraction, where you can hop-scotch between the 22-strong network of rockpools, aqua therapy pools and sulphur pools. The latter are completely natural, containing unfiltered mineral water, with a soft and silky feel and piping hot at 42-45C. You can also laze in the highly-sociable hexagonal pools, loll about in the freshwater lap pool and lazy river, or enjoy some high-action spills on the waterslides, headlined by the nation’s biggest slide Conical Thrill, and the recently installed hydro slides, Violet Vortex and Waiau Winder. I lolloped around the pools on multiple occasions during my stay. They’re just so good. https://hanmersprings.co.nz/ After enjoying some body therapy, I dabbled in some retail therapy from the eye-catching assortment of independent boutiques, homeware and gift stores clustered around the tree-lined main street. There’s a host of temptations, but I’m a big fan of Homestead and the Ada Design Store, for beautiful gifts and artistic home décor. Sweet tooths? The kids go crazy at the Lolly Pot, while a perennial go-to for nearly 25 years is Fudgelato, for fresh and creamy fudge and gelato. (Great name!) Two-wheeled pursuits are a big draw in Hanmer and after far too much indulgence, I had excess calories to burn. Pop into Hanmer Adventure’s main street store who will get you pedalling in paradise, with a full range of rental bikes to choose from, from e-bikes to basic hardtail. They’ll get you geared up too, with helmets and gloves. There’s nearly 20 mountain bike tracks around Hanmer Springs, spanning all levels of expertise and endurance. If you’re up for a gentle introduction, Hanmer Forest Park’s Camp Walk Loop is a cracker, under a vast canopy of mature trees, while Alligator Alley and Snakes & Ladders are excellent trails too for easy-riding. www.hanmeradventure.co.nz A family-favourite on foot in the Hanmer Heritage Forest, off Jollies Pass Road, is the Forest Amble Walk and the animal sculpture trail. These whimsical wooden sculptures were created by Christchurch sculptor, Andrew Lyons, crafted out of a felled Redwood. The sculptures include a friendly giant, a hawk, a dog, possum and orangutan. The 30-minute return walk follows a flat and easy track and it’s very embracing -  suitable for toddlers, buggies and the elderly. Where to dine? Fuel up for your day’s adventures with a cranking breakfast at the Powerhouse Café. Located in a historic hydro power station which celebrates its centenary next year, y

Lots of panic questions about Monarchs this year: in Auckland they are recorded as “pretty rare”, whereas in Christchurch I see them quite regularly and they’re doing fine in my garden. There are always some troubles with wasps. These predators are quite keen to chew the monarch caterpillars to pieces and take the protein back to the wasp nest as food for their larvae. It sounds awful and it looks awful; the common-German wasps (and Paper wasps) are, after all, imported pests that don’t belong here. Keep your plants with caterpillars under netting; the wasps can not access them. Another trick is to grow your swan plants in large pots, which can be moved to new sites when wasps discover the precious cargo; the wasp’s GPS system is disrupted when you change the position of the swan plants. Running out of food is often bad news – caterpillars starving Always keep an extra plant or two under curtain netting, so female monarchs can’t lay eggs on those spare food plants!! It also pays to reduce the number of eggs/caterpillars per plant (birth-control) I must confess: I had some trouble managing the number of caterpillars this year: they we sometimes eating the tops of the naked swanplants… and in pairs!! I tend to keep my caterpillars inside the tunnel house, so that the female monarchs couldn’t get at them to lay more and more eggs “Go Fly to Auckland and Do something with your Life” is what I usually say…  Sometimes caterpillars are found limp and dying This is often caused by predation by brown soldier bugs (Cermatulus nasalis) who stick their sucking tubes into the caterpillars and slowly such them dry. Look for the soldier bugs (brown version of the garden stink bug!!) and get rid of them! Accidents do happen, especially when the last instar caterpillar does its very last change from Caterpillar to Chrysalis. That in itself is a tricky manoeuvre: the caterpillar hangs from a small patch of silk while it takes its skin of. The trick is then to hook its chrysalis “claws” into the same white silken pad, so it can hang there as long as it takes to change into an adult butterfly. There are a few videos that capture the way a caterpillar becomes a chrysalis; have a look at how the caterpillar manages that without falling. But sometimes things go horribly wrong and if you discover a fallen chrysalis soon after the accident happened, you can carefully pick that very fragile creature up and literally hang it back where it needs to be… Very delicate “First Aid”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Things You Didn’t Know You Can Compost Composting isn’t just for fruit and veggie scraps. There are plenty of surprising household items that can break down naturally and keep waste out of landfill. Pet Hair & Human Hair – Full of nitrogen, hair helps balance your compost pile. Nail Clippings – As long as they’re free from polish. Cardboard Toilet Rolls & Egg Cartons – A great source of carbon (browns) for your compost bin (most people don't put enough browns/carbon into their compost and it gets stinky, so this is a great accessible one) Natural Wine Corks – Chop them up for faster breakdown. (Avoid plastic-based ones!) Used Paper Towels & Napkins – As long as they’re not soaked in chemicals or grease. Coffee Grounds & Tea Bags – Tea bags must be plastic-free (many contain microplastics). Wooden Toothpicks & Bamboo Skewers – Break them into smaller pieces for easier decomposition. Old Cotton & Wool Socks – Only 100% natural fibres (no synthetics or elastane- unless the elastane is plant based, which is quite rare). Dead Houseplants & Cut Flowers – If they haven’t been treated with pesticides. Pencil Shavings & Uncoated Paper Scraps – A good source of carbon-rich material. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A sprained ankle, one of the most common injuries seen at practice. What is a sprained ankle? Injury that occurs when you roll, twist or turn your ankle in an awkward way. Commonest injury when the sole of foot turned inwards – called an inversion injury – damages outside of ankle. The injury strains or tears the ligaments that help hold and stabilise the joint. What are the risks of a sprained ankle and main symptoms? Obvious risk is playing sport – rugby soccer where the ankle ‘rolls’ Uneven surfaces, being unfit, improper shoes causing you to fall, landing awkwardly after jump, higher risk if previous sprained ankle. . Main symptom one:  immediate pain after roll the ankle,  difficulty walking swelling and painful to touch. Bruising  and restricted movement of the ankle, popping sound, sensation  when the injury occurs.   How do we teat them? Immediate treatment: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation. Pain relief with things such as paracetamol. If not settled in 48 hours see your doctor to: Examine the ankle, may order x-ray to make sure not broken. Get physio involved to start exercise program to get the ankle back to normal. May take up to 6 weeks to heal. In severe cases : may use a ‘moon boot’ or walking boot to immobilise the ankle till swelling goes down. How do we prevent them? Warm up before sports ankle support if previously injured. Good fitting shoes important ( high heels a risk!) Stay fit, practice balance exercises. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Crypto has been under investigation for allegedly trading unregistered securities, but the newUS Government has now stopped investigations. Coinbase gave $75 million to pro-crypto PACs and made a seven-figure donation to Trump's inaugural committee, not to mention the CEO's additional $1.3 million in personal contributions. Coincidence? Expert Paul Stenhouse talks to Jack about the issue, and why the US government is turning off its EV chargers. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zero Day -  (Netflix) Robert de Niro makes his small screen debut in this political conspiracy thriller that follows former US president George Mullan as he is called out of retirement to locate the source of a devastating global cyberattack. A Thousand Blows - (Disney+) Hezekiah and Alec, two best friends from Jamaica, fight for survival in the violent melting pot of Victorian London's East End; they come up against Sugar Goodson, a dangerous, veteran boxer. White Lotus - (Neon) A brand new season of the critically acclaimed drama about a group of spoiled, overprivileged guests staying at a five star luxury hotel and the staff who have to tend to their every need.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This tart is so very buttery and rich yet somehow summery and fresh too! It’s the perfect tart to take to a picnic, and if you pack a jar of whipped cream on iceyou’ll achieve true picnic hero status.  Makes 25cm tart  Ingredients: 2 sheets sweet short pastry, or make your own (see below)  200g butter, softened 150g caster sugar 3 medium eggs 200g ground almonds 4 tablespoons plain flour 4 fresh peaches, peeled and quartered 150g fresh blueberries 1 tablespoon liquid honey or maple syrup Instructions:  Heat oven to 200 C and place a metal tray in to heat up.  Line a 25cm loose bottom tart tin with the pastry. Sweet short pastry is very forgiving so just patch it up as you need to to get full coverage. Prick all over with a fork and chill in the freezer while you make the frangipane filling.  To make the filling, cream the butter and sugar until light and creamy. Add in the eggs, beating well between each addition. Stir in the ground almonds and flour and mix until just combined.  Spoon the frangipane into the chilled pastry, spreading it evenly. Top with the peaches and blueberries.   Place tart on preheated tray and bake for 35 minutes or until filling is set and tart is golden brown. Cool.  Brush top with warmed honey or maple syrup before packing up to take to the picnic.  Serve slices with whipped cream.  Shortcrust pastry 200g plain flour Pinch salt  100g butter 1 egg yolk  2-3 tablespoons ice cold water Blitz the flour, salt and butter in a food processor until it resembles bread crumbs. Drizzle in egg yolk and some of the iced water and continue to pulse and drip in remaining water until it comes together.  Turn out on a bench and bring it together to form a disc. Refrigerate for 30 minutes before using to line a tart tin.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Francesca Rudkin is back with Two Oscar nominated documentaries, both screening exclusively on the streaming service DocPlay. No Other Land - This film made by a Palestinian-Israeli collective shows the destruction of the occupied West Bank's Masafer Yatta by Israeli soldiers and the alliance which develops between the Palestinian activist Basel and Israeli journalist Yuval. Black Box Diaries - Journalist Shiori Ito conducts an investigation into her own sexual assault, aiming to bring the prominent perpetrator to justice. Her pursuit evolves into a significant legal case, revealing the antiquated judicial and societal frameworks in Japan. LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Chiefs beat the Crusaders yesterday but almost double.  Both teams were coming off impressive wins in the first weekend of Super Rugby last week.  Sports Reporter Andrew Saville talks to Jack about the tournament, Joseph Parkers disappointment, and the Kiwi football derby tonight.  LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we await the name of Jack's baby boy, Kevin Milne joins the show to discuss the Do's and Don'ts if you're not one of the parents.  "I reckon is that if you don't like the name that someone else has given their child, don't say anything negative." LISTEN ABOVE. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the end, it was just over an hour. Just over an hour between being asleep on the floor of Auckland hospital, to standing, bewildered under the delivery suite lights, helping to dress my newborn son. Mava had been induced on Sunday – the scans had suggested that all was ok but that our baby was small for his age. We spent an oddly serene day waiting for the induction medication to kick in. They give you a dose every two hours until you go into labour but sometimes it takes a few hours to work and sometimes it takes days. It was actually lovely, in a way. Mava and I both read for hours in-between the doses. We went for coffee and a stroll in the domain, Mava constantly assessing baby’s every shift and every hint of a contraction. My goodness, though, when it happened... it happened. Zero to one hundred. A blur.  I won’t labour you with all of the details but it’s become clear to me that there's a reason every parent has a birth story.  It was surreal. It just felt like a week’s worth of crazy experiences happened in the space of fifteen minutes. It was beautiful, wild, traumatic, thrilling... it was animal. All these things.  Mava was incredible. I felt so proud of her, and yet so helpless at the same time.  And weirdly through it all, I felt calm. I’m not bragging. I’m not saying calmness was a good response – honestly I was probably just a bit stunned – and it turned out our son was too when he came out. They hurried him off and chucked him on the oxygen and he regained his colour. I took my cues from our amazing midwife and the other hospital staff. She wasn’t freaking out too much and so I didn’t either.  The scans were right – our son was small for his gestational age. But he what lacked in size he made up for in his capacity to feed. There can be no doubt he has inherited my skin tone, my hair colour, and my appetite. This morning is the longest I’ve been away from him in his life, but at five days old I know him well enough to know that right now he is probably feeding.  Isn’t it incredible how instinct works? Out of the womb, almost blind, and yet he absolutely throws himself at the boob. Head back, mouth wide, latch! Who taught him that?!  A few random takeaways: 1) The placenta. Wow. That thing could feed a family of four.  2) We had three nights in hospital and a couple more in Birthcare afterwards. If our experience of the New Zealand healthcare system this week is anything to go by, it is being completely held together by migrant workers: Indians, Filipinos, Europeans, South Americans, Pasifika... they were fantastic. For all the justified concern over the health care system as a whole, we had a really positive experience and felt so grateful to the people working in what are often very tricky conditions.  3) Women's bodies, eh? To have the capacity to grow an entire human being, from his skinny little frog legs folded up at his belly, to his tiny little fingernails to the lightest fur on his pink little cheeks. To grow him, birth him, and then, having done it all, having done everything... to immediately switch to nourishing him day and night. What can I tell you about our son? He’s got his mum’s eyes. He sucks his thumb. His first music was the Koln Concert and he made sure to stay up to watch Will Young and Tom Latham  score centuries against Pakistan. His name will be finalised soon enough. When he’s bulked up a bit, he’s got a long list of visitors waiting to meet him, too.  After five nights away, yesterday I put our son in his carseat and drove him home. His older brother ran home from school and cuddled him on the couch. Through the madness and exhaustion of the week, running on caffeine, sugar, and love, we sat there together, a family. It was perfect.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sun is out and iconic Kiwis are returning to our shores.  Model and actress Rachel Hunter is back In New Zealand for the summer, teaming up with Uber Eats to bring Kiwis to the beach.   She revealed to Newstalk ZB’s Jack Tame that she’s actually over for around three months every year, splitting the rest of her time between LA, London, and the various retreats she does in places like India and Bali.  “I’m very lucky,” Hunter said.  Since she spends so much time away from our shores, she’s seen the country change with every visit, but much still stays the same.  “There’s like, y’know, the things that you eat, the dairies, y’know, the beaches, the places especially during the summertime, when everyone goes off on their breaks ... you can't help but be pulled to memories of your childhood.”   “Skylines change, I mean, so is the rest of the world,” she told Tame.  “But I think fundamentally, when we come back to our homeland, you can’t help but provoke those really amazing times growing up.”  Hunter is involved in quite a few projects, but a brand new one is releasing pretty soon.  ‘Human Spirit’ is her new podcast, releasing on the 20th, to which she says they have some “great New Zealand guests” involved.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

US indie folk band The Lumineers are back.   Automatic is the group’s fifth studio album, and has members Jeremiah Fraites and Wesley Schultz travelling “new sonic and thematic terrain” after twenty years of partnership.   There’s a vulnerability and intimacy to the music, with vocalist Schultz pushing his vocals to the limit.  Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to share her thoughts on the release.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We All Live Here by Jojo Moyes   Lila Kennedy has a lot on her plate. A broken marriage, two wayward daughters, a house that is falling apart, and an elderly stepfather who seems to have quietly moved in. Her career is in freefall and her love life is . . . complicated. So when her real dad—a man she has barely seen since he ran off to Hollywood thirty-five years ago—suddenly appears on her doorstep, it feels like the final straw. But it turns out even the family you thought you could never forgive might have something to teach about love, and what it actually means to be family.    The Peacock and the Sparrow by I. S. Barry   Shane Collins, a world-weary CIA spy, is ready to come in from the cold. Stationed in Bahrain off the coast of Saudi Arabia for his final tour, he's anxious to dispense with his mission—uncovering Iranian support for the insurgency against the monarchy. But then he meets Almaisa, a beautiful and enigmatic artist, and his eyes are opened to a side of Bahrain most expats never experience, to questions he never thought to ask.  When his trusted informant becomes embroiled in a murder, Collins finds himself drawn deep into the conflict. His budding romance with Almaisa—and his loyalties—are upended; in an instant, he's caught in the crosswinds of a revolution. Drawing on all his skills as a spymaster, he sets out to learn the truth behind the Arab Spring, win Almaisa's love, and uncover the murky border where Bahrain's secrets end and America's begin.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.