Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

There’s been a lot of discussion and concerns about the long-term effects of vaping of late, especially regarding young people. New research has started to uncover potential long-term problems with vaping.    What is the problem with vaping?  It was introduced as a “quit smoking” tool and was accepted to be less harmful than smoking.  Useful as a quit smoking tool, as a substitute for cigarettes .  However, the growing issue in NZ is young people taking up vaping who would otherwise not smoke.  Surveys indicate that 26.5% of 18–24-year-olds and 10% of 14–18-year-olds vape daily.   Concerns if there would be long-term effects on these young people.     Is it addictive?  Many vapes have nicotine which is highly addictive.  Increasing reports of people not being able to get off vapes.  We know nicotine can cause concerns over brain development, increased risk of anxiety, raise blood pressure, and increased heartrates.  Vapes can irritate the lungs, causing coughs and even some concerns over increased risk of collapsed lungs.     A new study has started to shed light  A new study out of Oxford University has identified long term harm from vaping alone.  It followed nearly 250,000 individuals who vaped, over four years.  Major finding: vapers are 2.29 times more likely to develop Chronic Obstructive Airways Disease – COPD.  COPD is often referred to as emphysema: lungs stiffen, lots of mucous, recurrent infections, and reduced ability to get oxygen into the blood stream due to lung damage. Permanent damage.   Among 30-70-year-olds, they’re 1.39 times more likely to have high blood pressure.     Implications of this?  Obviously, it’s an issue for the number of young teenagers taking up vaping and an emerging health issue overall.  We need to think hard about our approach to vaping – Australia has made vaping prescription only.  Restrictions have been put in place in New Zealand.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes I feel like the “Labourer” in our household.   “Darling, can you please dig me a large hole for a Nikau Palm” followed by “pruning the fruit trees” and “covering the soil against blackbirds” or “create a nice pathway”.  Of course I have my own stuff to do/plant/remove/mow, but once I start the Hansa Chipper I am in my element.   Branches up to 2 inches in diameter are turned into excellent, fresh and sizeable mulch – stuff that will —in time— be the best organic matter to feed the soil and the plants that grow in situ. But it needs to be managed well.   Couple of things you can do with this chipping monster and the chips:   Create a thick layer of wood chips that cover the garden path. It keeps it covered in winter, and it stops a lot of weeds germinating on that path – saves a heap of weeding and keeps the surface relatively dry after winter rain.   But if you want to create a good mulch for your plants, you’ll need to add some Nitrogen (N).   Your chipped wood is mainly Carbon. The Nitrogen (in the form of Urea) is needed to turn the Carbon into balanced compost – a handful of Urea per square meter might do the trick.   Many people that have a compost bin stuff that bin full of lawn clippings, fruit remains, and vegetable matter and stalks, left over from a dinner   This compost bin is very full of Nitrogen and lacking a decent amount of Carbon —the opposite to the thick layer of wood chips— to be used as “Mulch”.  You guessed it: this compost bin needs a good amount of Carbon from the chipper to balance the C-N ratio required for a decent plant food fertiliser in the garden   Generally speaking, the C-N ratio required to make fertile soil should be in the order of 20-1 (up to 30-1).  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple's big developer conference is on Monday US time – what can we expect to be announced?   1. A more unified user experience across all the platforms.  MacOS, iOS, iPadOS, WatchOS and even CarPlay will all be getting updates to bring everything into the same design scheme based on VisionOS – the software that runs the Vision Pro headset. It's all based around 'digital glass', so expect to see reflections, blurs, light, etc.   2. App redesigns for the Phone, Messages and Camera apps.   The phone will get a timeline type view, which combines favourite contacts, recent calls, and voicemails into a single scrollable window. The Camera has had so many features added to it that it's got a bit cluttered and confusing, so expect this to be simplified and reworked. Messages will get customizable backgrounds (like WhatsApp) and the ability to create polls. Safari will update too, to match the new glassy design.   3. Multi-tasking on iPad is coming closer to the Mac    Another step closer to one operating system to rule them all. It's expected that this new multi-tasking feature will be unlocked when using a keyboard and mouse, suggesting the iPad might get a more 'desktop-like' mode.    4. PDF editing is coming to the iPhone and iPad to sign documents, annotate, and edit.     WhatsApp is now on iPad   It has an iMessage-like two-column layout with a list of conversations on the left and the messages on the right. It supports multi-tasking and can do video calls with up to 32 people. WhatsApp has more than 3 billion monthly active users!     LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Survivors  A young woman's mysterious death dredges up the past in a sleepy seaside town, where three young people lost their lives fifteen years ago and tore the town apart (Netflix).    Sara: Woman in the Shadows   A retired intelligence operative haunted by her son's premature death returns to spycraft and allies to unravel the mystery. While navigating old ghosts and dangers, she must balance justice for her son with learning who he really was (Netflix).    Stick   Pryce Cahill was headed for golf greatness when an on-course meltdown derailed his career; now struggling to stay afloat, he goes all in to mentor Santi a teenage phenom with high potential and maybe save himself (AppleTV+).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

From the World of John Wick: Ballerina  An assassin trained in the traditions of the Ruska Roma organization sets out to seek revenge after her father's death.    How To Make a Killing   Michel and Cathy, wed for longer than they can remember, lead a quiet but monotonous life in the mountains. When a bear bursts out in front of Michel’s car, accidentally killing two drug dealers and revealing a €2 million loot in the process, their life takes an unpredictable turn, especially when they decide to cover up the incident and keep the money! But their plan leads them to stumble upon an unexplained trail of dead bodies. More used to being honest than crooked, Michel and Cathy’s clumsy cover-up efforts soon put an interfering inspector hot on their trail.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are ridiculously good and they just happen to be gluten-free! Chewy, densely rich and very, very moreish. Perfect to make for Coeliac Awareness Week – 9-14th June 2025.   Makes 12–15     Ingredients  3/4 cup sugar   1 cup peanut butter   1 large egg   50g dark chocolate, roughly chopped    1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)      Method  Preheat the oven to 180°C and line a baking tray with baking paper.   With an electric beater or a food processor, mix sugar, peanut butter and egg until combined. Add the chopped chocolate and vanilla and mix briefly.   Roll dough into balls about the size of a walnut or golf ball, depending on how big you like your cookie. Flatten with your palm.    Bake for 14–16 minutes, flattening again at the 8-minute mark.   Cool on a rack. Store in an airtight container.      Note: These cookies are very filling as the peanut butter adds plenty of protein.      LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who could possibly, in their wildest dreams, ever have imagined it?    Who could possibly have foreseen that the world’s wealthiest man and the world’s most powerful politician might blow up their bromance in the most spectacular fashion? Elon on Don? Feuding? Nooooo. Say it ain’t so!    The curious thing is the pair of them do have a few qualities in common. Hypocrisy, for starters. Having pledged many dozens of times to pay down his country’s debt, Donald Trump pushed forward legislation that will actually grow the debt by an estimated NZ$4 trillion. Having pledged to cut waste from the same government’s spending, Elon Musk heroically cut support for HIV-positive mothers while simultaneously taking billions of dollars in subsidies and contracts that benefit his own companies.    Another common quality? The speed with which they both go nuclear. In the space of a few hours we had Trump threatening to cut SpaceX funding, Musk threatening to decommission the rocket used to get US astronauts to space, and an accusation about the Epstein files made without any evidence, which nonetheless, I thought the White House was notably less-than-emphatic in denying.    In my view, Elon Musk has been heading for a fall for a long, long time. I think his behaviour is erratic. Whether it’s Nazi salutes or his public statements, I think he seems unbalanced. I think the reporting about his drug use is consistent with his appearance at the White House and the fact he’s in multiple custody battles with multiple women over children he’s barely spent any time with says an awful lot of awful about his character. And while, sure, at his best, he has achieved some extraordinary things, you only need to log in to X to see that one of the most productive human beings in the history of our species is these days dedicating an obscene amount of his time and energy to juvenile posts, lies and conspiracies on social media.    Unlike Trump, Elon Musk isn’t charismatic. He isn’t funny. The more people see of him, the less they like him and his products. And despite his threats to start a third political party and take down Republicans who support the President’s bill, he doesn’t have anything like the pulling power or cult support of the President. In April, Musk poured almost NZ$50m into a single judicial election in Wisconsin and his candidate lost. If anything, Musk’s money and his support hurt the guy’s chances.  Who knows where this feud is headed? Maybe they’ll cool off and make up in a few days. Regardless, there will only be one winner. It won’t be Elon Musk.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand music’s big night out took place this week.  The Aotearoa Music Awards celebrated its 60th year, with our biggest musical stars glitzed and glammed for the red carpet.  Taking out two awards this year —Best Solo Artist and the highly coveted Album of the Year— was Fazerdaze, also known as Amelia Murray.  It’s her first time winning an Aotearoa Music Award, and she told Francesca Rudkin when her name was called, she felt weirdly calm.  “It feels kind of like it’s been a really long time coming,” Murray says.  “I’ve been nominated quite a few times before and it was kind of, it was nice to finally take home a trophy.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Government is set to trim hairdressing red tape.  Cabinet has accepted all the Ministry for Regulation recommendations, returning decisions on offering drinks during cuts, and allowing dogs in a salon to the business owner.  Changes come into force in July.  Kevin Milne may not be a huge fan of ACT, but he’ll say David Seymour is good at identifying silliness in rules and regulations.  He reminisced on the “pointless bureaucracy” that surrounds the hair styling industry.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ninth album to come from Miley Cyrus, ‘Something Beautiful’ is a concept album centred around the theme of healing.   The popstar says it’s “an attempt to medicate somewhat of a sick culture through music”, and when discussing the inspiration behind the music, Cyrus said "the nastiest times of our life do have a point of beauty. They are the shadow, they are the charcoal, they are the shading. You can’t have a painting without highlights and contrast."  An accompanying musical film of the same name is releasing in early June.  Estelle Clifford joined Francesca Rudkin to give her thoughts on the album.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"As Arrowtown glowed in its golden, fiery blaze of autumnal hues, it was a thrill to be back in this treasure-chest township, cradled by nature’s splendour. It’s one of my all-time favourite holiday playgrounds and I was eager for a fresh dip from its glorious offerings." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Martha’s Vineyard Beach and Book Club by Martha Hall Kelly   wo sisters living on Martha's Vineyard during World War II find hope in the power of storytelling when they start a wartime book club - a spectacular novel inspired by true events from the bestselling author of Lilac Girls.   2016: Fresh from her mother's funeral, Mari arrives on Martha's Vineyard off the coast of Massachusetts to study under the enigmatic painter Elizabeth Devereux. But she soon realises that her relationship to the island runs deeper than she ever thought possible.   1942: It's World War II, and Smith sisters Briar and Ginny are faced with the impossible task of holding their failing family farm together as the US army arrives on their island. In an attempt for normalcy, the sisters start a book club that quickly grows in numbers and becomes a lifeline for the women who remain on the island. That is, until a German soldier's arrival casts shadows of doubt and danger. Who can they really trust in their tight-knit community?   In this spectacular novel inspired by true events, bestselling author Martha Hall Kelly weaves a captivating tale of love, loss and resilience.    The Warrior: Rafael Nadal and his Kingdom of Clay by Christopher Clarey   Tennis is not short on history. When Nadal arrived on the scene in 2005, the record for men's singles titles at the French Open stood at six, held by Bjorn Borg. Almost twenty years later, Nadal has more than doubled Borg's total with a mind-boggling fourteen titles. His record will undoubtedly remain his signature achievement - the stat that will define him in memory twenty, fifty, even a hundred years from now. Fourteen certainly looks like the only major tennis record that will never be broken even if Nadal, a modest champion despite his flashy resume, rejects that kind of definitive thinking.  Nadal has won big and won often on any of tennis's surfaces, securing two Wimbledon titles on grass and four U.S. Opens on acrylic hardcourts. But clay, the slowest and grittiest of the game's playgrounds, is where it all comes together best for his explosive movement and warrior mindset. Clay is the canvas on which he has mastered his choreography, underlining the precision, speed, and raw power required to accomplish one of the most impressive sporting achievements of the 21st century - it is the essential stuff of his life and success.  Legendary sports reporter and bestselling author Christopher Clarey has interviewed Nadal and his coaches from his first French Open victory at nineteen, marking his debut as a rising star on the premier clay-court event in the world, to his most recent victory in 2022, closing out an astonishing career as one of the greatest players of all time. Brimming with behind-the-scenes insight into the story of a global sporting icon, The Warrior is a must-read account for the loyal sports fan - and anyone interested in the evolution of excellence.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Department of Conservation is currently seeking feedback on its Predator Free 2050 strategy.  The current strategy aims to completely eliminate five predators from New Zealand: rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels and possums.  However, they’re now asking whether feral cats should be added to the list as well.  Predator Free NZ Trust CEO Jessi Morgan told Francesca Rudkin that there’s estimated to be between 2.5 million and 14 million feral cats in the native bush.  She says that at the time the strategy was originally created, people were less aware of the impact they were having on native species, but there’s now an awareness and willingness to have them included.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next few months we’ll be “in the dark” so to speak – the shortest days of the year puts us in front of the Low Emissions Burner, keeping warm while reading gardening magazines.   What kinds of plants give us colour at this time?   Go and visit your local Botanic Garden and take a note book with you – I often look at the stuff that Julie plants at our place.  Tree Dahlia are huge plants that can grow up to 4 or 5 meters tall. They are true Dahlias, just a bit taller than your ordinary varieties.   Their contrast with blue autumn and winter skies is remarkable. Easy to grow and easy to prune after flowering. They simply grow another lot of branches next autumn!   Nerines are currently spectacular. Bright pink flowers delivered by a bulbous plant. Seeing we’re in rather frost-free part of the Port Hills, they keep on flowering. They belong to the Amaryllidaceae (bulbs) and don’t care about soil quality as long as it isn’t too wet. Easy to transplant.    Salvia leucantha (Mexican Bush Sage). Works well in full sun with well-drained soil and flowers up to a meter high even at this time of the year, visited by hordes of pollinators – especially Bumblebee Queens.  Smoke Bush (Cotinus species) is an oldy but a goody. Many different varieties and colours, especially in the purple range (Royal Purple, “Grace” etc) but also in lime green or red. Flowers look like smoky patches, but right now smoke bush is a variable painting of artistic colours.  Liquidambar leaves light up the lawn. Those autumn leaves can come in a wide variety of colours, creating patches of oranges, yellows, and purple. Leave them where they are! Birds will attempt to find food under those leaves (worms and hibernating insects) and when those leaves have slowly decayed, you can put them in the compost bin: free Nitrogen.  We have a Eucalyptus tree that flowers profusely right now. No idea what species it is but the Tui and Bellbird, silver eye and bumblebees, winter moths and nectivorous flies, as well as huge Gum Emperor moths (in summer) love this tree for all its gorgeousness.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ha Ha Merlot 2023, Hawkes Bay. RRP $19.00   Ha Ha means – to ‘Catch your breath’ in te reo Māori   A palate of plums and blackberry fruit scents, there’s a light violet touch and generous fruity core. Fine tannins with medium+ acid line to frame the flavours of plums and red berry fruits. Balanced and refreshing with decent length and lots of style. Best drinking from 2025 through 2028.     The Food:    Merlot is one of those wines that bridges the earthy umami flavours of winter fare almost seamlessly every time. One such dish a chicken ballotine stuffed with spinach, lentils and prunes. You can substitute out the prunes for dates, raisins or even dried apricot.   The natural sweetness of the fruit with the meat is what Merlot likes. Spinach and red wine tannins like each other a lot, and lentils provide the earthy theme to the dish. The lentils can be served on the side if stuffing them into a rolled-up chicken breast or leg doesn’t fit your idea of using lentils in that way.     The Season:    2023 was challenging to a greater or lesser degree through Aotearoa NZ. The north island was challenged by the wind and rain. Hawkes Bay where this wine was grown got smashed by cyclone Gabrielle. Producers of wine were quick to react and harvest only the best fruit to make wine. The South Island not so much at all. The bottom line is wine from the 2023 vintage on the most part are wines to drink and enjoy now.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 31 May 2025, hot off her big win at the Aotearoa Music Awards, Fazerdaze aka Amelia Murray joins Francesca Rudkin to discuss how it felt to bag her first AMA.  Francesca's championing an ACT policy.  Karl Puschmann discusses the brand-new film from Jesse Armstrong, Mountainhead.  And chef Nici Wickes delivers a sweet treat for the long weekend - cake fit for a King.  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.

Instagram isn’t just for square photos anymore   You can already post images with a rectangular aspect ratio of 4:5, but with 3:4, your photo won’t be cropped at the ends. You can still post a square too.   My theory is that this is in response to the resurgence of people taking photos on actual cameras again. The tourists in NYC seems to love a dedicated camera - and I don't mean a DSLR, I mean an old school 'digital camera' point and shoot style.  It's a little sad – one of the things that made Instagram special was that it forced creativity into a square. Same as with Twitter – 140 characters made things fun.     Your work Gmail will now start automatically summarizing emails   Google's Gemini investment is coming to your inbox if you like it or not. Gmail now creates summaries automatically for complex threads, and they’ll appear above the emails themselves. These are already available but require you to request it manually. The update will just be for mobile, and it may take up to two weeks before you see the feature.     Apple's Operating Systems are being re-numbered   According to Bloomberg, the iOS16, or iPadOS3 will all align under the year of release. So: iPadOS 26, macOS 26, watchOS 26, tvOS 26, and visionOS 26. Will the iPhone be next? iPhone 25 and iPhone 26?    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Department Q   Carl, a former top-rated detective, is wracked with guilt following an attack that left his partner paralysed and another policeman dead. On his return to work, Carl is assigned to a cold case that will consume his life (Netflix).    The Better Sister    Chloe, a high-profile media executive, lives a picturesque life with her husband Adam and son; her estranged sister Nicky struggles to make ends meet; when Adam is murdered, the two sisters reunite and try to untangle a complicated family history (Prime Video).    Brassic    In a forgotten corner of Northern England, Vinnie and his mates are stone-broke. Driven to a life of petty crime, Vinnie, Dylan, Cardi, Ash, Tommo and JJ's friendship has stood the test of time, but the cracks are beginning to show. When Dylan's girlfriend Erin wants out to start afresh in a new town, Dylan is torn between following her or staying with the pals he thinks of as brothers. As their past indiscretions begin to catch up with them and the realisation hits that they are getting in way over their heads, the boys need each other now more than ever (Netflix).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you ever need to produce a celebration cake, this is it!     Serves 8-10     Ingredients:   Sponge cake    130g unsalted butter, softened   1 cup caster sugar   2 teaspoons vanilla extract    3 large eggs    2⅓ cups self-raising flour   1 pinch salt   1 cup milk      To decorate   1/3 cup raspberry jam, warmed slightly    1 ½ cup icing sugar    30g butter, softened    ½ cup raspberries (fresh or frozen, defrosted)    3-5 tablespoons, boiling water   1 ½ cups coconut thread   300mls cream, whipped with one tbsp icing sugar       Method:  Preheat the oven to 170 C fan bake. Grease two 20cm round cake tins and dust with flour. Beat the butter, sugar and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix until well beaten. Stir in the flour and salt then the milk and mix until just combined, being careful not to over-mix. Divide the batter between the cake tins, one third in one and two thirds in another. Bake for 25 minutes or until they spring back when gently pressed. The thicker one will likely need 5-7 minutes more cooking time. Leave to cool for 12-15 minutes before turning onto a wire rack to cool completely. Cut tops off each sponge to level them if necessary, then split the thicker one into two layers. Mix icing sugar, butter and half of the boiling water. Press the raspberries through a sieve to collect the juice and add this to the icing. Aim for a smooth, runny icing, adding more water or icing sugar as needed.  Pour out onto a shallow dinner plate. Sprinkle coconut onto another dinner plate. Roll the sides of each cake layer in the icing to get the cake sides evenly coated, then roll in the coconut to cover. To assemble, place one sponge layer on a serving plate. Spread with jam, then dollop on whipped cream. Top with second sponge layer and repeat with jam and cream. Top with the final sponge layer. Spread the top with icing then sprinkle over coconut. Chill for 30 minutes before ready to serve. Use a serrated knife to cut and enjoy!   Nici’s note:    Feel free to use two store-bought sponges if you want to save time.        LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mountainhead   A group of billionaire friends get together against the backdrop of a rolling international crisis.     Captain America: Brave New World   Sam finds himself in the middle of an international incident after meeting with President Thaddeus Ross. He must soon discover the reason behind a nefarious global plot before the true mastermind has the entire world seeing red.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not often you will hear me unreservedly champion an ACT policy, but I am all in when it comes to their concern and policy response to sexually explicit deepfakes.   The US and UK are leading the way with legislative changes on this, New Zealand law lagging well behind.   ACT MP Laura McClure has prepared a bill to restrict the generation and sharing of sexually explicit deepfakes. Recently she announced "The Deepfake Digital Harm and Exploitation Bill expands existing legislation around revenge porn and intimate recordings, and ensures that those who produce or share deepfakes without consent face criminal accountability, and victims have clear pathways to seek redress and removal of harmful content." This is a common sense move in a tech area which is so fast moving that we’re always playing catch up. Once upon a time we warned our children about nude pics. When it became apparent some just couldn’t help themselves, the recommended advice became that if they were sending pics, they should avoid showing identifiable features – you know, like their faces. The imagery that technology can now create in mere minutes far exceeds the considerable peril posed by the consented nude pic. Kiwi born Bloomburg journalist Olivia Carville has dedicated her career to unearthing the dark side of tech and the internet, and in her recent podcast Levittown focuses on the rise of deepfake pornography, and the battle to stop it. In the podcast she tells the story of how photos of young women were doctored without their consent, they were then shared on a website where men were encouraged to discuss what they would like to do to these women. It’s all a bit much for a Saturday morning I know, but it’s a fascinating podcast worth listening too, and even though it’s a New York story it has a crazy New Zealand twist to it. The point is though, the harm and trauma that comes from sexualised AI deep fakes is real and impactful, and victims must have legal grounds to do something about it. But it’s also about public clarity and drawing a strong line under what not acceptable. It’s thought 90- 95% of online deepfake videos are non-consensual pornography, and around 90% of them feature women.  McClures bill is a member's bill at this stage, but she has written to the Minister of Justice urging that the bill is adopted as a Government bill.  I hope they take her up on her offer. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a decade of chart-topping hits, sold-out tours, and almost 300 million streams, Mitch James is stepping away from music for good. He's set to take the stage  one last time for The Final Show – an emotional send-off at the Christchurch Town Hall on Saturday 24 May. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to share her thoughts on Mitch James's final album. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.