Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Mental Health Awareness Week is upon us, and Dr Dougal Sutherland has five ways to wellbeing to offer, plus some potential work-related activities. Take Notice – get together a bunch of people at work for daily or weekly mindfulness or yoga sessions – if you’re lucky, work might pay for them. Give – give time, or money or resources —good example is volunteering: sports coach, church youth group, charity shop, meals on wheels— lots of evidence to show this not only helps the community but also is good for personal wellbeing. Be Active – schedule in some activity every day —make it like any other meeting in your diary— just do it – might be something you could do with others at work as having a buddy helps with accountability and makes you stick at it. Connect – really important in this age of hybrid working —virtual connection is good, but nothing beats face to face— is there a way to encourage everyone to be in the office on certain days and then when they are there making connecting with each other a top priority. Keep Learning – keep going from te wiki o te reo Māori —or learn a new skill at work— do some professional development. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is the time for planting. I’ve never been so busy as last week in the vegetable garden – even got to catch up with some serious pruning back-log. Gardeners can be very useful creatures that support our native and endangered trees, shrubs and climbers. Some of our endemic taonga are literally on the brink of extinction and planting these botanical specimens in appropriate places is like putting your eggs in many baskets. 1) Metrosideros bartlettii is also known as the Bartlett’s Rata; it occurs naturally in the far north of our country. Being a “rata” means it is closely related to pohutukawa and other species of Rata. But this one is pretty unique: its bark is grey-white and feels (and sheds) like tissue paper. The flowers are not red, but white and look just like Pohutukawa or rata in shape Rare? Oh yes: just 13 adult trees are left in our country; of the five “genotypes”, just one has been propagated from. Some trees are on private land – not sure about their future safety. Browsing animal pests (think possums, deer, goats etc) are the main cause of decline. And now we have myrtle rust as well! Myrtle Rust on Metrosideros. Photo / Supplied 2) Tecomanthe speciosa – the Three Kings Vine – is an absolute stunner of a liane. It is readily available in garden centres and can grow in a wide range of climatological conditions. As a climber it needs good support from other trees – it also needs lots of space, moisture in the soil, and it prefers to have the roots in the shade. The plant starts to bloom after 2 or 3 years growing up (patience!) – but will reward you with large, creamy-white tubular flowers in clusters, attracting native birds. Tecomanthe can be grown from seeds or cuttings; it’s frost tender, so plant it in areas that are subtropical. Rare? It’s the rarest plant in the world: One vine was discovered on Great Island (Three Kings Group, NW of Cape Reinga) in 1945; Feral Goats (who else?) were the cause of this plant’s decline. That original plant is still there – but struggling, since the eradication of goats have caused huge forest growth, shading that particular specimen. 3) Ngutukākā (also known as Kākābeak). Clianthus maximus and Clianthus puniceus are two species that originally occurred in Northland and the Auckland Region, especially Hauraki Gulf. Its history in European times involves Captain Cook’s 1769 Nature Nerds Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander, who “discovered” the plant at Uawa (Tolaga Bay) in Tairāwhiti. The brilliant red flowers were visible from the ship and common on hill sides. That likely indicates that Maori were keen on Ngutukākā (trading them?) and planted them in many places. Browsing animals cause havoc (deer, goats – who else? – stock, pigs, hares) but also introduced garden snails and native kowhai moth caterpillars. On my last trip to Tairāwhiti it was wonderful to see ngutukākā everywhere, especially near schools. Thank you Graeme Atkins!! This is the modern mahi following on from the Maori History. As relatives of kowhai (pea Family) these plants can fix Nitrogen from the air and therefore can grow in nutrient-poor soils. They like to grow in light-spots (where trees have fallen over and caused an opening in the canopy) or slip faces. Seed is viable for a long time. The red flowers are a beacon for tui and bellbird and other nectar feeders. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BOB’S BEST BUYS Wine: Robert Mondavi 2021 Private Selection Buttery Chardonnay, California $21.99 Why I chose it: - Popular style - Buttery character is a by-product of malolactic fermentation What does it taste like? - Smooth, soft-textured chardonnay in a “big and buttery” style with spicy oak, vanilla. Mellow wine with a little heat on the finish. A crowd-pleasing style that lives up to its description. Not my kind of chardonnay. Why it’s a bargain: - Offers great value if you like the big and buttery style. Where can you buy it? - New World $21.99 (on special) - Whisky and More $20.99 (six-pack $119) Food match? - Rich chicken dishes Will it keep? - Drink it up See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Goodbye Cortana, hello Co-Pilot. Co-Pilot will live in the right-side panel of your PC and allow you to connect with data from across Office, the web, and other apps on your computer. There won't be separate apps anymore, just one Co-Pilot to call on. Microsoft wants it to become "your everyday AI companion". They showed the AI being able to use data from your calendar and email to write text messages. Or, asking Co-Pilot to set your computer to dark mode, arrange your windows, it's going to make your settings panel obsolete. Microsoft Paint is getting new features, such as layers, background removal, and AI integrations to help you create and manipulate images. Just type what you want the image to be, and the AI will generate it. The free upgrade will be released on September 26. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The responses to a quick-fire question in the Leaders’ Debate has gotten Kevin Milne excited. Turns out that both Chris Hipkins and Chris Luxon both voted ‘yes’ to change the New Zealand flag. The last flag referendum was a long, expensive, pointless process, as an estimated $25 million dollars was spent only for the flag to remain the same. However, Kevin has a plan and wants a new flag before the Olympics rolls around in July. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Supermodels Apple TV+’s new documentary series looks back on the careers of four supermodels - Naomi Campbell, Cindy Crawford, Linda Evangelista and Christy Turlington - and how they dominated the modelling world during the 1990s (Apple TV+). Annika The return of the Scottish series starring Nicola Walker as a detective working for Glasgow’s marine homicide unit, investigating the unexplained murders that wash up on shore (Neon). Big Boys A heartwarming British comedy about two young men who strike up an unlikely friendship when they’re thrown together at university (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It Lives Inside Desperate to fit in at school, Sam rejects her East Indian culture and family to be like everyone else. However, when a mythological demonic spirit latches onto her former best friend, she must come to terms with her heritage to defeat it. 2nd Chance Richard Davis invents a concealable bulletproof vest, and shoots himself 196 times over the course of his career to prove its effectiveness. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This crustless tart is such a lovely dish to make in spring when mint and parsley are going crazy in the garden. It’s a great way to get some greens into you! Serves 6 Ingredients 50g butter 1 bunch spring onions, sliced thinly 500g frozen peas 150g ricotta cheese OR use cottage cheese 2 tbsps cream Small handful each mint leaves and parsley leaves, roughly chopped 2 large eggs 100g parmesan, grated 2 tbsps gluten free flour ½ tsp sea salt and decent grind of pepper A little olive oil Method Preheat the oven until 190 C. Grease a 23cm springform cake tin and line with baking paper. Gently fry the onions in butter until soft then add the peas and gently cook for five minutes or until they’re thawed. Using a food processor, blend half the onion and pea mixture with ricotta/cottage cheese and cream until quite smooth. Add remaining ricotta/cottage cheese, herbs and eggs and briefly blend until mixed. Transfer to a bowl, add the rest of the onion/peas, half the parmesan cheese, flour and season with salt and pepper. Give it a good stir and pour into the prepared tin. Drizzle a little olive oil on the surface and scatter the remaining cheese on top. Bake for 30 to 45 minutes until the top is golden brown, the middle is set and edges are pulling away from the sides, an indication it is cooked. Rest for 10 minutes before removing from the tin and cut into wedges and serve with a salad. Make it your own: Replace half the peas with 2 cups shredded raw spinach. Replace peas with chopped asparagus when in season. Add chopped bacon or flaked smoked salmon to the mixture. Crumble over chorizo sausage before baking. Use basil or coriander in place of the parsley. Use sour cream or cream fraiche instead of cream for extra tanginess. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Black Rainbows is the fourth studio album by English singer and songwriter Corinne Bailey Rae, released on 15 September 2023 by Black Rainbows Music and Thirty Tigers. The album is a multi-genre mix of the progressive R&B-neo soul sound of her previous works but it also contains rock, jazz, and electronic elements. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A road trip is made by the food stops along the way I reckon and when I called into a café I’d long wanted to visit in Ngātea recently their scones blew me away! They were so darn delicious, moist (or as I like to say ‘damp’) and super cheesy. The owners, Sarah and Simon, kindly shared their recipe and top tips with me. Makes 6-8 scones Ingredients: - 1 ¼ cup tasty cheese, grated - loosely packed 1 ¼ cup mozzarella, grated - loosely packed Extra cheese for topping - 2 ½ cups self-raising flour - Generous pinch of salt - 2 cups yoghurt Method: Preheat oven to 180 C fan bake. Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Bring the mix together with a large spoon. Once you have a big ball of mix and lots of dry bits on the bottom of the bowl, use your hand to push all of the dry ingredients into a wet ball. Turn out onto a floured bench and shape the mix into a 20x10cm rectangle, about 5cm high (you don’t want the mix to be too flat). Cut with a sharp knife or dough cutter into 6 large or 8 medium sized scones. Spread out on a baking paper lined tray and top generously with more grated cheese. (See note) Bake in a preheated (oven must be preheated!) for 15 mins for medium sized and 17mins for large sized. Cool slightly then slice and spread with loads of butter! Notes: Replace the yoghurt with a can of sprite or soda water (335mls) which gives them a lovely crust Use 2 ½ cups of pizza blend cheese You want some of the topping cheese to spread down the side of the scones on to the tray so you get the really crispy bits on the edges. These scones also freeze well and are excellent to add to lunchboxes. They are good cold but if reheating are best reheated by slicing in half and toasting in the oven for a few mins. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mother-Daughter Murder Night – Nina Simon Nothing brings a family together like a murder next door. The whodunit sees an older, high-powered businesswoman convalescing in a sleepy coastal town with her adult daughter and granddaughter. When the granddaughter discovers a body while kayaking and becomes a suspect, the trio, all fiercely independent, must come together to solve the crime, uncovering all sorts of secrets in the town along the way. The Secret Hours – Mick Herron Monochrome is a busted flush - an inquiry into the misdeeds of the intelligence services, established by a vindictive prime minister but rendered toothless by a wily chief spook. For years it has ground away uselessly, interviewing witnesses with nothing to offer, producing a report with nothing to say, while the civil servants at its helm see their careers disappearing into a black hole. And then the OTIS file falls into their hands... LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Instantly appealing, Skopje brims with time-honoured charm and some quite recent epic transformations. There’s a distinct sense of quirkiness that adds to its overwhelming good looks. The pint-sized country dodged the ravages of war, after declaring its independence from Yugoslavia in 1991." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In light of the recent medical strikes, Kevin Milne has been thinking about doctors. Are our medical professionals overqualified? Do we make it too hard for many bright motivated students to get into med school? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With tax changes and policy changes promised by differing parties – where should the election feature in your financial plan? Plenty of people have spent the past year holding off on financial decisions, on the expectation that a change in Government would have a material impact on their wealth creation plans – but is that a sound strategy, or a risky one? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is what I got in my inbox a week or so ago: As New Zealand prepares to go to the polls, the reputation of the country’s favourite vegetables are at stake in the country’s very first VegElection. Be a part of history and let your taste buds be heard. Voting closes 30 September 2023. Cast your vote on Yates' website. Everyone who votes goes into the draw to win one of three $500 National Gardening Week hampers containing Kiwis’ favourite vegie seeds and everything to kick start a bountiful summer garden. Good old Yates! Imagine asking people what their favourite vegetables are, especially since some of them are quite a pain to grow! Example: rogue potatoes that pop up everywhere in your garden. The trouble is they are hosts for the Potato-tomato psyllid, a bummer of a creature (exotic!) that always manages to suck the living daylights out of my precious tomatoes!! For the record: my favourite edibles are Tomatoes, Witlof, Cos Lettuce, asparagus, and Spring Onions. Asparagus are my only crop that needs constant weeding – it doesn’t want too much “competition” at root level, so I always hack away at little weedlings on a regular basis. I mulch and cut the old asparagus ferns in autumn, add compost and fertile molecules (liquid fertiliser: Seafood Soup) and keep everything nice and clean and gorgeous. Our reward: first crop of asparagus came out on the last day of August! To my absolute delight two other crops appeared in the asparagus bed in winter: Seedling plants of the red Cos lettuce, as well as spring onion seedlings. Both are doing well in the asparagus bed, no doubt self-sown by the plants in the next door vegetable bed. They literally have all the space they want and grow fabulously with the regular seafood soup applications. What about the “competition”? - you may well ask. Asparagus have their roots at least 4 inches below ground level. Spring Onions and Cos lettuce don’t go much deeper than 2 inches – so no major fighting in that department. Asparagus are thin and lanky and won’t cast a great deal of shade on the Cos and onion; and the little shade caused by lettuce is not going to bother asparagus (which initiates from well below the ground and is above the soil for just a few days!). All I need to do is keep up the liquid fertiliser molecules so everybody has a feed. Oh – and by the way: the red Cos is a hardier version of the green Cos lettuce when you get frosts! Weedy vegetables? Oh yes – and I love them. Especially since they seem to work together in an ecological fashion Competition? Nah, collaboration! Great candidates for the Vegelection … Just before National gardening week on 11 October See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The iPhone 15 is the first to use USB-C Huge! The European Union voted to approve legislation to require smartphones, tablets, digital cameras, portable speakers, and other small devices to support USB-C charging by 2024, and Apple has delivered globally. It's part of the EU's goal tackle e-waste, but also allows consumers more options for accessories. An additional bonus: The USB-C connector allows for direct recording of video to an external drive, allowing the iPhone 15 Pro to be used just like a professional digital film camera on set Pro Res 4K up to 60 frames per second for the first time. Apple's SOS service now assists drivers Now extended to roadside assistance in the USA with the AAA - which is a huge help for those who travel to the parts of the US where your provider's cell signal is spotty. They now have you covered for flat tires, breakdowns, etc. NZ saw its first use of the SOS service just last week to rescue hikers in Canterbury, after first becoming available in May. They found themselves cut off by rising waters near Arthur's Pass. Interestingly - Apple hasn’t announced what it will cost, they've only said so far that it's free for the first two years. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Child: A German psychological thriller about a mysterious woman’s escape from captivity and her links to an unsolved disappearance years earlier (Netflix). Blue Lights: This police drama set in Belfast follows new recruits Grace, Annie and Tommy as they learn the ropes win a high-pressure environment (ThreeNow). The Morning Show: Jennifer Aniston and Reese Witherspoon are back for a new season set in the cutthroat world of an American TV morning news show (AppleTV+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vitale Lafaele has lived a life of challenges, adversity, and bravery. Arriving in Auckland from Samoa during the 1970s Dawn Raids era, his childhood was characterised by poverty, discrimination, and bullying. Lafaele told Jack Tame that he would never take back the hard times, and that it taught him a lot about life. He served for seven years in the New Zealand army and the Police for 30. Lafaele was the first Samoan to gain the command of an area in New Zealand and the first Polynesian to reach the top level in any of Auckland's three metropolitan police districts. He’s told his extraordinary journey in his book ‘A Canoe Before the Wind’. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Haunting in Venice: In post-World War II Venice, Poirot, now retired and living in his own exile, reluctantly attends a seance. But when one of the guests is murdered, it is up to the former detective to once again uncover the killer. Blue Beetle: Jaime Reyes suddenly finds himself in possession of an ancient relic of alien biotechnology called the Scarab. When the Scarab chooses Jaime to be its symbiotic host, he's bestowed with an incredible suit of armor that's capable of extraordinary and unpredictable powers, forever changing his destiny as he becomes the superhero Blue Beetle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe I’m just too close to it, but my sense is that a big slab of the New Zealand public is thoroughly sick of the election campaign already. People are done. They’re fed up. They’re spent. And for the days of the week in between significant sporting fixtures, they’re dead keen for a different kind of contest that doesn’t seem so negative and bleak. And this morning, I’ve got the answer. Before I share it though, you’ve got to understand, I’m not usually one to gush about reality TV. It’s not that I’m too cerebral or hoity-toity. It’s not that I spend my evenings annotating James Joyce and listening to Baroque compositions in a leather armchair, it’s certainly not that I don’t own a TV. It’s just that sometimes I find some of the shows a bit formulaic. This one will be different. On Monday night, a new season of Celebrity Treasure Island begins, and as much as I’m excited about the comedians, and the middle-aged sporting stars, one celebrity contestant in particular marks what I think is an extraordinary new high in reality TV casting. Competing in the Papura team and raising money for I Am Hope, is none other than Tame Iti. Yes, that Tame Iti. Tame Iti of the discharging-a-shotgun-at-Waitangi Tame Iti. He of Te Urewera raids. Tame Iti, former member of the NZ Communist Party. Former champion wrestler. Tame Iti, actor, artist. Tame Iti, lifelong Māori rights activist. This is what makes New Zealand great. Only in New Zealand could a person like Tame Iti, with his extraordinary life and history, be happily cast in a survival reality show alongside the former captain of the Warriors. To be fair, Celebrity Treasure Island has consistently set the standard for entertaining New Zealand telly. I know there will be some people rolling their eyes but trust me - that’s only because you haven’t seen it. The thing that makes the show so genius is how it has become such a glorious reflection of our culture. The cast is always diverse. They’re always characters. And as much as they each want to compete to win, the programme as a whole never takes itself very seriously. It’s incredible self-aware and self-deprecating. It’s moving. It’s emotional. If you do decide to do it, to get yourself in the mood, watch Tame Iti’s Ted talk on Youtube. It’s a simple speech called Mana: The Power in Knowing Who You Are. It’s the most moving and affecting Ted talk I’ve ever seen. So that’s my recommendation for you this week. If you feel like the election campaign has turned into a daily exercise in talking down New Zealand, give Celebrity Treasure Island a crack. Tame Iti, artist. Tame Iti, activist. Could he soon be Tame Iti, Celebrity Treasure Island champion? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A big win for the All Blacks in the Rugby World Cup. They've beaten Namibia 71 points to 3, while playing in Toulouse this morning. Newstalk ZB’s Elliott Smith told Jack Tame that as far as the All Blacks are concerned it went virtually as good as it could’ve gone. That is until the 72nd minute, when Ethan de Groot was red carded for a high hit on Namibian player Adriaan Booysen. Smith said that de Groot was likely to get a six week ban that could be mitigated down to three, and potentially down to two if he’s eligible for the tackle school ruling. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Lovers A British drama about the relationship between Janet, a supermarket worker who doesn’t care about anything, and Seamus, a self-centred, political broadcaster (Neon). Bay of Fires An Australian crime dramedy about a successful CEO who is forced to escape to Tasmania with her children to avoid a murder plot (TVNZ+). Alone The most intense and genuine reality adventure series on TV is back, with new seasons on both TVNZ+ and Netflix. Ten individuals try to survive alone in the wilderness for as long as they possibly can, with limited access to survival equipment. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Guts is the second studio album by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, released on September 8, 2023, by Geffen Records. Two singles preceded the album's release: the lead single, "Vampire", was released on June 30, 2023. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"But like an edgy antidote to the chocolate-box gorgeousness of gabled Amsterdam, the Netherlands’ second-biggest city, Rotterdam is a contemporary, design-focused urban masterclass that will soon seduce you." Check out Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Normal Rules Don’t Apply - Kate Atkinson A dazzling collection of eleven interconnected stories from the bestselling, award-winning author of Shrines of Gaiety and Life After Life which offer the gimlet eye and delightful social critique that have made Atkinson one of the most lauded writers of our time. In this brilliant volume, nothing is quite as it seems. Adventures with Emilie- Victoria Bruce A mother and daughter's wild journey to rediscover the wonder and restorative power of nature. “I'm here because I want to test the very limits of my own resilience and reassure myself that no matter what's happened to me, I'm not ready to lie down and die.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I clearly remember Maggie Barry, John Key and Nick Smith, Steven Joyce and Nathan Guy launching Predator-Free NZ in July 2016, 7 years ago! This was a big gig; and it’s still going. If you think about it, it’s a huge task and incredibly collaborative, with scientists, DOC and heaps of New Zealand Volunteer trappers. Make no mistake, the army of ordinary kiwis and backyard engineers are really contributing to the reduction of exotic pests in our ecosystems. I can see the improvements in our biodiversity simply by looking from my window on the Port Hills in Christchurch! The most important predators we are targeting are mice, rats, stoats, ferrets, weasels, Possums, hedgehogs and – oh yes – feral cats! Add domestic dogs kept off lead in kiwi habitat and you’ve got the line-up we’re aiming for. I realise this is a little bit more than the original target line-up, but I have my own reasons for including mice, hedgehogs and uncontrolled dogs. Mice: they’re everywhere and actually (kind-of) do the ecological job of a tree weta. Mice are predominantly seed and nuts eaters. Walnuts, hazelnuts, etc. Fatty materials allows them to successfully overwinter in your garden. They also eat a heap of insects and they are important food for rats! (Mice keep rat numbers up) Simple mouse traps are a great idea around the house – cheap traps, baited with peanut butter or Nutella or hazelnut spread. Shelled walnuts work well too. Contrary to popular belief they don’t really go for cheese! I have them all around my house and even in the ceiling. I set my traps near the wall – that’s where they run to keep “out-of-sight”. Rats do a lot of damage to birds and lizards. They raid nests and eggs. Most people are not aware that they also go for juicy, large insects (weta and other large, native critters). Rat traps are a large version of mouse traps and they can be used on their own around the house, or inside a wooden tunnel, which gives the rat some cover and shelter as it explores the smell of the delicious bait in the trap. Great baits are peanut butter and Nutella, as well as fish and moldy cheese. One thing that rats are keen on is a trajectory that leaves them unnoticed. Traps near a wall or along a fence line seem to be working best. Make sure you don’t “contaminate” the lure with your bare hands – good idea to wear gloves so the rat doesn’t… well… smell a rat (I mean a human!!). Stoats are a lot trickier again – they really will avoid open spaces. And they are clever. You’ll also need a much heavier artillery (trap) than rats, as stoats are able to survive the smack of a rat trap; they also have the ability to escape from these traps by wriggling out. A “DOC 200” is the heavy duty trap to use here. These metal traps are usually built inside a wooden box with attractive lures (salted rabbit meat or fresh rabbit cuts, eggs, and believe it or not: mayonnaise!). Eggs are often a visual attractant to these mustelids. I have always been disappointed by the clever stoat’s ability to avoid my traps. I rarely trap these buggers. Stoats can kill young kiwi (up to 800 gram body-weight) and they are ferocious hunters. DOC 200 stoat trap. Photo / Supplied Ferrets are another step up in the predator game – they’ll kill adult kiwi and large prey; you won’t find them in urban areas – they are creatures of the farm and forest edges. They also require some serious knowledge to trap, plus an even heavier gauge of trap. Just so you know: I am a member of the stoat and ferret conservation society… In the Netherlands! That’s where they are native and that’s where they are in ecological trouble due to the declining populations – how ironic! I actually used to have a pet ferret in Holland – wonderful animals! Possums are the last species I’ll mention in this segment. We have about 70 million of them in our forests and gardens. They mainly feed on fruits, shoots, and leaves: 21,000 tonnes each night, which is about the same as the weight of the sky tower. They alter the composition of our native forests. Possums get protein from eating birds (and nestlings). Possums really need a Timms Trap, baited with apple, cinnamon and such delights. I often use flour and icing sugar mix and smear that on the tree near the trap – it really “lures them in” Timms Trap. Photo / Supplied The modern form of the old Timms Trap is the Flipping Timmy. This trap can be attached to a tree trunk, so the possum climbs up and ends up in the trap Great websites exist on trapping the pests; have a look and join the team of New Zealanders keeping their gardens and local reserves and parks predator free. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s important to know what you mean so you’re clear on what you’re aiming for. Wellbeing could be defined in at least one of 3 ways: Feeling good, happy, satisfied with life (sometimes called hedonic wellbeing) Having meaning & purpose in life, leading a fulfilling life, accepting who you are (eudaimonic wellbeing) Leading a life full of rich & varied experiences – doesn’t mean you will necessarily feel positive in the moment but leads to longer term broader view of life incorporating different perspectives LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft wants you to use its AI so badly, it'll cover you if you get sued Copyright, and infringing it, is one of the biggest concerns many corporates have about diving into the AI game. There are so many open questions that they're not prepared just yet to take the risk. It's a huge departure from most 'terms and conditions' of services, where companies do almost everything they can to distance themselves from the user. They don't want to be held liable! But Microsoft says if you use the filters and guardrails they've implemented, then they'll back you. That's quite the commitment, especially as Microsoft and OpenAI are already being sued for allegedly recreating licensed code without crediting the engineers. If you're a Google fan, you'll soon be able to visit the Mountain View campus Add this to your San Franciso travel itinerary. Google is turning 25, and to celebrate they're opening a visitor center on its famous campus in Silicon Valley. Like any good American tourist attraction there'll be a store, where you can explore and purchase Google products - like their phones, tablets and laptops. There'll also be a community space for events, a cafe and public art. BMW is pulling the handbrake on its heated seat subscription Ahead of its US launch, BMW has shelved plans to offer this service in your brand-new car on a subscription plan for $18 a month! It actually launched in some places, including NZ. It seems buyers weren't impressed - a BMW board member says: "People feel that they paid double – which was actually not true, but perception is reality, I always say. So that was the reason we stopped that.” Typically these types of features are available as 'upgrades' when you order your car for hundreds or sometimes thousands of additional dollars. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What are gallstones? Gall bladder: sits under the liver. Stores and concentrates bile: fluid made in liver which helps digest fats. This bile clumps together to form ‘stones’: From sand to small pebbles. Who is at risk? 10% New Zealanders have gallstones, 80% have no symptoms. Most at risk: Women are twice as likely as men. Ages 20 to 60. If you’re carrying too much weight, have a family history of them, have diabetes, or experience rapid weight loss. What are the symptoms? 80% have no symptoms. Can be severe pain, ‘colic’ - often pain in the right upper abdomen, through to your back between shoulder blades. Often after eating a large, fatty meal. They can cause nausea, vomiting, and indigestion. May mimic a heart attack. If it’s more severe it becomes infected or inflamed: fever, sweats, jaundice – turning yellow. How do we diagnose? History and exam, blood tests. The doctor will order an ultrasound to look for stones, sometimes an MRI scan. What do we do about them? Avoid fatty foods, drink plenty of fluids, slow weight reduction - not rapid. May need surgery ‘laparoscopic’ keyhole surgery to remove the gallbladder. We don’t need the gallbladder – get by very well without it. Often see ads for remedies such as lemon juice or large amounts of oil. These don’t work! No evidence at all! If you have pain in abdomen – see your GP. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 Members of the Portokalos family reunite in Greece for a hilarious and heart-warming trip full of love, twists and turns. The family gather in Athens after the passing of Gus, honouring his final wish that they visit his birthplace, reconnect with his old friends, and discover their family roots. Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre Elite spy Orson Fortune must track down and stop the sale of a deadly new weapons technology wielded by billionaire arms broker Greg Simmonds. Reluctantly teamed up with some of the world's best operatives, Fortune and his crew recruit Hollywood's biggest movie star, Danny Francesco, to help them on their globe-trotting mission to save the world. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BBQ mussels are just the best! When they pop open their shells on the grill you can sneak all manner of interesting flavours into them – in this recipe it’s butter, soy sauce and a splash of sake that gives them that authentic Japanese BBQ house taste. Once cooked, pluck ‘em out of the shells, tuck them into a small soft bun, or pop them on a mound of rice, with shredded cabbage and plenty of sesame dressing and eat. I guarantee you’ll be in heaven! Makes 8-12 sliders Ingredients: 16-24 mussels in shells 1 lemon, halved 8-12 sliders or small soft white rolls 50g butter, softened ¼ cup tamari soy sauce ¼ cup sake ½ cup store bought sesame salad dressing 2 cups finely shredded cabbage Method: Give mussels a quick scrub and remove hairy beards by gripping firmly and pulling towards the rounded tip of the shell. Place mussels on grill plate of BBQ and cook until the shells begin to pop open. Place lemon cut side down to grill also. As each mussel pops open, sneak a small knob of butter into each, as well as a teaspoon of tamari soy sauce. Allow to cook for a few minutes then douse in sake and toss on the grill. Remove from grill. Liberally butter tops of each bun and grill each until butter is foamy and tops have turned golden – watch them as they like go from golden to burnt rather quickly! TO SERVE: Set all ingredients out on a board for diners to build their own buns stuffed with mussels and cabbage and drizzled in sesame dressing and a squeeze of warm lemon juice. MAKE IT YOUR OWN: Add in a little slice of daikon radish into each bun for extra crunch Flag the buns and serve with little bowls of slaw and rice Use softened butter blended with lemongrass and lime leaves instead of sake for a Thai-inspired flavour Make it Spanish with olive oil in place of butter and a thin slice of chorizo tucked into each mussel No mussels? Make little foil parcels of using snapper instead, cooking them on the bbq for about 10-15 minutes See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This morning watched the first Rugby World Cup match of 2023 play out, the All Blacks versing France at Stade de France. France beat the All Blacks 27-13, ending their run of 31 straight wins in the pool stage. Newstalk ZB’s rugby correspondent Elliott Smith told Jack Tame that it was a real testament to their game management. He said that in the first half it seemed like the All Blacks had all the momentum, but the French never let them in in that second half. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland based pop-duo Foley have finally released their highly anticipated album ‘Crowd Pleaser.’ They released their EP ‘Crowd Pleaser Pt. 1’ in February of 2023, with the full album releasing on August 25th, six months later. The duo have over 100k monthly listeners on Spotify. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Mike Yardley went adventuring through the beautiful Sofia, capital of Bulgaria. Read Mike’s full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cinderella Boys - Leo McKinstry The remarkable story of the unsung RAF wing who rescued Britain from Hitler's U-boats and made Allied victory possible. The transformation of Coastal Command from a ramshackle outfit into a vast, formidable organisation provided one of the turning points of the war, keeping Britain in the war and opening the way to D-Day in 1944. But they never received the credit they deserved. Based on a wealth of new sources, including from diaries, log books, official records, archives and interviews, Leo McKinstry shines a new light the courageous pilots, ingenious scientists and political risktakers - many of them outsiders - who defended the freezing Atlantic from Nazi rule. Masters of Death - Olivie Blake Viola Marek is a struggling real estate agent, and a vampire. But her biggest problem currently is that the house she needs to sell is haunted. The ghost haunting the house has been murdered, and until he can solve the mystery of how he died, he refuses to move on. Fox D’Mora is a medium, and though is also most-definitely a shameless fraud, he isn’t entirely without his uses—seeing as he’s actually the godson of Death. When Viola seeks out Fox to help her with her ghost-infested mansion, he becomes inextricably involved in a quest that neither he nor Vi expects (or wants). But with the help of an unruly poltergeist, a demonic personal trainer, a sharp-voiced angel, a love-stricken reaper, and a few high-functioning creatures, Vi and Fox soon discover the difference between a mysterious lost love and an annoying dead body isn’t nearly as distinct as they thought. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Buds and flowering trees – it sometimes feels like Spring, but don’t be fooled for another 4 weeks mistakes can be made! Spring —by the way— starts 23rd of September at eleven minutes to seven in the evening. ;-) Yet slowly —very slowly— the soil starts to warm up a bit and that is a condition that requires us to plant our new crops and ornamentals. First of all, the soils are still quite moist and that is a positive reason to plant anything that lives long: shrubs, trees, fruit-bearing vines, and flowering, perennial beauties. Reason is: the planted trees/shrub etc will not need to “sulk” for a long time – it will ‘wake up’ from its winter slumber relatively quickly to start the growth. And there little need to water these new plants. Because the soil is slowly warming up, the fertiliser you apply will be absorbed relatively quickly – the N-P-K won’t dissolve into the deeper soils where it might get “lost”. The same arguments will go for your food crops: Peas, Broadbeans, Cos lettuce, and spring onions will almost immediately germinate or adapt after planting, giving you the first spring crops of fresh vegetables. Oh, and Carrots, Cauliflowers, and spinach are also on the “NOW” list. For those of you that like “new Potatoes” for Christmas: start chitting and plant your spuds as seed potatoes; Jersey Bennes and such early varieties are probably the best to use before Christmas. That’s all I do this year so I don’t play Russian roulette with solanum pests such as Psyllids, later in the season (AND I WANT TO PROTECT MY MAIN TUNNELHOUSE CROP: TOMATOES!). That brings me to SOWING the tomato varieties for 2023-24. If you do that now, (like inside in a relatively warm room with plenty of light) you’ll find they will germinate quickly, so that you can start “hardening” them off by placing them outside in sheltered areas during the day (take them inside again when the evening coolness comes along after 5 pm). Just get them used to the spring conditions slowly. Mine will go into the tunnel house to provide me with tomatoes from Early December till well into autumn. You can also grow them under “cloches” to help them along during the cooler spring nights. Cloches are miniature glass houses that hold just one plant. They literally reduce the difference between warm day temperatures and cool nights. My fabulous, rich and well-drained bed for Strawberries is ready to be planted. Last year’s crop has been disastrous, probably because I really didn’t have the time to weed well; and I left too many old runners in that bed, which didn’t provide me with too many strawberries. Cama Rosa is my pick of the strawberries and a fine netting will need to be placed on top, so that the birds are not able to access them later this spring. Don’t forget to use some liquid fertiliser (Seafood Soup and Seaweed Tea!!) to give your plants the boost they need! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hall’s been at NZ Fashion Week this week and attended around twenty shows. She decided to share her perspective and thoughts as a sustainable fashion enthusiast: + Kiri Nathan opened (first Māori designer to open with a solo show - incredible representation & move for NZ Fashion). + I’m reminded of the over consumption of fashion: attendees arriving in new outfits (some wearing multiple new outfits a day), outfit after outfit coming down the runway - new seasons. + Excited to see The Graduate show include a lot of repurposed materials and styles. + Slow conscious collection of 3 sustainable designers - though far less attendance at this one! + Diversity of models - not as progressive as I expected it would be in 2023. + Feels incredibly strange to have a fashion week that doesn't mention the makers as predominantly - only a few shows actually had storytelling & meaning in their shows. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paritua 2020 Stone Paddock Scarlet, Hawke’s Bay $24.99 Why I chose it: - Terrific red at a modest price - Demonstrates the value of mechanical sorting - Terrific wine from an excellent vintage. - Potential to develop well with bottle age. - A blend of merlot, cabernet sauvignon and cabernet franc. What does it taste like? - Intense, almost chewy red with cassis, dark berry, dark chocolate, dried herbs, cedar, vanilla and nutty oak. Good cellaring potential - needs time to mellow. Why it’s a bargain: - Great wine at a great price Where can you buy it? - Vino Fino (Chch) $20.99 - Advintage, Hawke’s Bay $23.99 - Regional Wines, Wellington $24.99 Food match? - Fillet steak, most red meat dishes. Will it keep? - Yes. 5-10 years, possibly more if stored well See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft's Office bundle in the EU will look different to the rest of the world It'll be missing Teams thanks to an anti-competitive complaint by competitor Slack, made to the European Commission. Microsoft is taking the proactive step of offering a bundle —that's cheaper than the current one— that doesn't include Teams. It'll be €2 less per month or €24 per year, which still makes it a more expensive option to get Office and Slack together. They'll also offer Teams as a standalone product for €5 per month. The Commission is still actively investigating Microsoft, so this may not be the only change we see. Australia has backtracked from forcing age verification on adult websites The options all proved to have a mix of privacy, security, effectiveness and implementation challenges. The Minister will now work with the industry to educate parents on how to access filtering services and limit children's access to adult content — so effectively, putting the problem back for parents to solve. Want to feel old? Gen Z apparently doesn't know how to dial phone numbers with letters in them! ZB's sister station ZM had to show a video on their Instagram about how to dial the 0800 number with words! Were they joking? I don't know! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Following Events are Based on a Pack of Lies An unpredictable thriller that tells the story of two women who have nothing in common - apart from the same conman, who is trying to destroy them both (TVNZ+). Live to 100: Secrets of the Blue Zones Author Dan Buetter travels around the world to visit five unique communities where people live long and exuberant lives, and to discover their secrets to long living (Netflix). Starstruck The third season of the brilliant rom-com series written by Rose Matafeo and Alice Snedden lands on our screens (TVNZ1, Saturday at 8.30pm and TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dallas Tamaira's been the frontman of the genre-bending seven-piece band Fat Freddy’s Drop for more than 20 years. During the pandemic and unable to tour with his band, Dallas hit a new phase of personal creativity. With nothing to do but write and create, Dallas began working on brand new solo music. 'Stormy' which was released only yesterday, and today he joined Jack Tame to chat about his new creation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nici Wickes MC'd the NZ Ice Cream and Gelato Awards last night, where medals and trophies were awarded to the best of the best ice cream, gelato, sorbet and frozen desserts in NZ. She joined Jack Tame to run through some of the highlights, plus, she has a very easy, no churn needed, ice cream recipe to share. River Cafe’s Lemon Ice Cream This is the incredibly delicious ice cream from the esteemed River Cafe in London. It’s a magic alchemy of just a few ingredients and no ice cream churn is needed. Try it, you’ll love it! Makes 4 small portions Ingredients: Zest of 1 lemon 1/3 cup lemon juice (about 3 lemons) 135g (about 2/3 cup) caster sugar ½ tsp sea salt 300mls cream Method: In a bowl stir together the lemon juice and zest, sugar and salt. Drizzle in the cream whilst still stirring gently. The mixture will immediately thicken a bit – like magic! – as you keep gently stirring. If it doesn’t thicken at all, add a bit more lemon juice. Pour into a container and freeze for at least 2 hours. No stirring needed. Serve in little scoops, on it’s own. Divine! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Scrapper Living alone in her London flat, 12-year-old Georgie must confront reality when her estranged father, Jason, shows up out of nowhere. Uninterested in a sudden new parental figure, she remains stubbornly resistant to his efforts. As they both adjust to their new circumstances, Georgie and Jason soon find that they still have a lot of growing up to do. The Equalizer 3 Since giving up his life as a government assassin, Robert McCall finds solace in serving justice on behalf of the oppressed. Now living in Southern Italy, he soon discovers his new friends are under the control of local crime bosses. As events turn deadly, McCall becomes their protector by taking on the mafia. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kevin Milne joined Jack Tame to chat about a ridiculously hilarious commercial he saw recently. Who knew an ad about free bowel screenings could be so fun? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

‘Portraits’ is the fifth studio album released by English singer-songwriter Birdy, and takes influence from the sounds of 80’s pop music. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

When One of Us Hurts by Monica Vuu The small coastal town has its own ways of dealing with the evil, the foolish, the misled, and it holds tightly to them. But the seams start to split after two deaths occur on the same tragic night: a baby abandoned at the foot of a lighthouse, and a drunken teenager drowned in the storming sea. Lady Tans Circle of Women by Lisa See From a young age, Yunxian learns about women's illnesses, many of which relate to childbearing, alongside a young midwife-in-training, Meiling. The two girls find fast friendship and a mutual purpose—despite the prohibition that a doctor should never touch blood while a midwife comes in frequent contact with it—and they vow to be forever friends, sharing in each other's joys and struggles. No mud, no lotus, they tell themselves: from adversity beauty can bloom. But when Yunxian is sent into an arranged marriage, her mother-in-law forbids her from seeing Meiling and from helping the women and girls in the household. Yunxian is to act like a proper wife—embroider bound-foot slippers, pluck instruments, recite poetry, give birth to sons, and stay forever within the walls of the family compound, the Garden of Fragrant Delights. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Mike Yardley joined Jack Tame to chat about his adventures through the beautiful Bucharest, capital of Romania. Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A lot of us get “the blues” during winter or feel a little down – for some people this is a more serious disorder called Seasonal Affective Disorder where periods of depression are strongly linked to winter seasons – although interestingly there must be more to it than simply levels of light/winter weather as it’s not so common in people living in polar regions. Tips for keeping mentally well over winter: Keep doing the basics: Try and get some daylight each day, especially if you’re leaving for work in the dark and coming home in the dark Keep up your exercise Keep your sleep in good patterns Kiwis are pretty oriented towards the outdoors and getting out and about, which is more difficult in winter. Maybe rather than trying to fight the winter weather, learn to embrace it – like the Danish concept of “Hygge” where they relish and make the most of winter – think sitting inside toasting marshmallows, having people over for candlelit dinners inside after cooking up a big winter feast, cosying up with a good book on a rainy afternoon etc. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spent a week in one of my favourite regions: Tairawhiti… Wainui, Tolaga Bay, Mangatuna and Tokomaru Bay. The school kids love muckin’ around on beaches, despite all that hideous slash everywhere. Looking for bugs, of course. At Tolaga Bay they found heaps of rather large black scarab beetles, known in the trade as Pericoptus truncatus, or “sand scarab”; moving across the sandy, grassy play area during the day. Captured specimens were digging down into the sand provided in the containers. This was my opportunity to raise the fact that this beetle is related to some rather famous species from the more tropical regions of the world: The “Rhinoceros beetles”. The male sand scarabs actually have a rudimentary “horn” on their head to shows the species “affinities”. Our sand scarabs live on beaches and dunes and are adapted to moving about the sand habitat. The larvae (grubs) are able to actually migrate from the beaches to inland habitats over reasonably long distances; it is presumed they are needing a certain amount or percentage of moisture in the sand. The grubs are “massive” (6 cm long or more), creamy-white, with distinct round stomata (breathing-hole) patches on the side of their bodies. Their larval food is the decaying woody mass of driftwood on beaches and the roots of grasses in dune vegetation. The adult beetles are sturdy insects that can dig into the sand really fast. During the day they will hide in the sand (sometimes at considerable depth: a meter or so deep!), but at night they surface again to go hooning in the dunes and on the beach – they are very noisy flyers and that no doubt helps with locating potential partners. The front legs of these beetles have specially-adapted claws that allow them to dig efficiently. The beetles and the larvae themselves are often coated with populations of mites on their skin. These have always thought to be parasitic mites, but there are suggestions that these tiny critters might actually be feeding on other mites and nematodes, associated with the sand scarabs. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Data shows that mortgage payments are much higher than paying rent – but does that mean it’s not worth owning a home? What are the implications of not owning? What should you be doing with that ‘spare’ money if you opt to rent instead? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.