Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

A Reckoning is the fourth studio album by New Zealand singer-songwriter Kimbra. It was released on 27 January 2023. The album was promoted with the singles "Save Me", "Replay!" and "Foolish Thinking". The album “is primed to be a reflective record capturing the macro reckonings that impact our world around environment, race, feminism, health and patriarchy through the eyes of the archetypal Mother”. The blurb continues to note that “at the heart of her record is the war with the micro reckonings that Kimbra faces internally”. It hypes ‘A Reckoning’ up to be “the most sonically autonomous and confessionally raw [that Kimbra] has ever been, finding influence in everything from modern movie soundtracks to electronic and industrial worlds”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Love, Pamela - Pamela Anderson The actress, activist, and once infamous Playboy Playmate reclaims the narrative of her life in a memoir that defies expectation in both content and approach, blending searing prose with snippets of original poetry. In this honest, layered and unforgettable book that alternates between storytelling and her own poetry, Pamela Anderson breaks the mold of the celebrity memoir while taking back the tale that has been crafted about her. Her blond bombshell image was ubiquitous in the 1990s. Discovered in the stands of a football game, she was immediately rocket launched into fame, becoming Playboy’s favorite cover girl and an emblem of Hollywood glamour and sexuality. But what happens when you lose grip on your own life—and the image the notoriety machine creates for you is not who you really are? Growing up on Vancouver Island, the daughter of young, wild, and unprepared parents, Pamela Anderson’s childhood was not easy, but it allowed her to create her own world—surrounded by nature and imaginary friends. When she overcame her deep shyness and grew into herself, she fell into a life on the cover of magazines, the beaches of Malibu, the sets of movies and talk shows, the arms of rockstars, the coveted scene at the Playboy Mansion. And as her star rose, she found herself tabloid fodder, at the height of an era when paparazzi tactics were bent on capturing a celebrity’s most intimate, and sometimes weakest moments. This is when Pamela Anderson lost control of her own narrative, hurt by the media and fearful of the public’s perception of who she was…and who she wasn’t. How to Kill a Client - Joanna Jenkins Taking on law's old boys club can have deadly results... A gripping thriller from a bold new voice about misogyny, corruption and the legal industry. 'Everyone is going to say what a great guy and a great lawyer he was. He wasn't. He was a prick ... And a shithouse lawyer.' Gavin Jones is dead at thirty-nine. As an in-house lawyer who controlled millions of dollars in fees per year, he was legal firm Howard Greene's biggest client and wielded that power with manipulative contempt. But he saved his worst behaviour for women, at work and at home. The partners of Howard Greene relied on his favour to fund their lavish lifestyles. If sycophantic admiration of the man was all it took to secure work from Gavin, that's what they delivered. But no one liked Gavin. The list of those who suffered from his cruelty was long enough to include pretty much everyone who had contact with him. So who actually killed him? A fast-paced and wickedly funny thriller about power and revenge set in the pristine towers of capitalism, How to Kill a Client is a scorching debut straight out of tomorrow's headlines. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley has been frolicking around Cape Cod, Massachusetts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Dromgool joined Jack Tame to discuss caring for extended families and managing that as a couple, which is especially relevant with the flooding in Auckland. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we need to be concerned? Low vaccination rates especially Māori and pacific in certain parts of the country. With boarders open high risk of being introduced – comes from overseas. Many think of it as harmless – it’s not. 80 children died in outbreak prior to COVID. 1:10 with measles end up in hospital. Around the world kills more than 200,000 mainly young children What is it? Viral illness. Highly infectious – spread through the air, cough sneezing. 1person will spread to 15 others If you are in a room with someone with measles highly likely to get it. Spreads like wildfire. Antibiotics don’t treat! What symptoms do children get? First few days: Temperature, runny nose, cough, sore pink eyes – highly infectious during this time. May get white spots in mouth. 3 to 7 days: Then rash starts head/face – spreads to body. More severe complications: can cause ear infection, seizures, pneumonia – lung infection. 1:1000 can get brain swelling. What do we do? Treatment – pain relief, plenty fluids, staying home not spreading. With more severe measles 1:10 hospitalised Low vaccination rate in children mean our babies less than 12 months have no protection. Vaccination from 12 months only protection: 99% effective with two doses. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

New Zealand has over 150 species of native orchids; most of them are pretty special as Endemics. Orchids have always been a group of plants that inspires people…and CERTAINLY collectors; They often have an attraction for gardeners. I also have been inspired by orchids, My favourites are “Kandy Dancers” which I met in Sri Lanka; although the Oncidium species may look like the Dancers in Kandy (Sri Lanka), the actual orchid hails from Mexico to Southern Venezuela. I also adore the native orchids here in NZ; right now the Earina autumnalis is in bloom and you’ll smell it before you see it; just beautiful A month ago I found sun orchids on the Lewis pass and Green hooded orchids in midwinter (Tawharenui) NZ Sun Orchid Green hooded orchid A lot of orchids are pollinated by insects and some in very tricky ways; There’s a great story about Charles Darwin who found an orchid species in Madagascar with a very long and deep nectar tube. Nobody knew who the pollinator was, but Darwin predicted it was likely a specific Hawk Moth with a very long tongue (about 10 cm long) A few decades after Darwin died that moth was found and scientists proved that Darwin was right! As our native orchids are usually rather scarce and special, they are often protected plants and certainly won’t grow in ordinary New Zealand gardens; Their habitats are characterised by specific conditions of light, temperature and soil conditions. No point translocating them! But the exotic orchids that are often seen in pots and gardens are a different matter altogether Moth orchids (Phalaenopsis) are doing OK indoors if you know how to treat them …. Not too much sun – not too wet around the sensitive roots etc etc Cymbidiums are commonly grown outside in large containers – keep them free from frosts and fertilise them for growth of new leaves (Nitrogen fert in Spring and summer) and Potash Fert in autumn to set up buds for flowering in winter/spring But some of the most successful exotic orchids we can grow in NZ are the Epidendrum and Dendrobium types: Epidendrum is known as the crucifix orchid. The do well in pots and in well-drained soil. They have very fibrous, white roots that grab moisture and nutrients from rain or liquid fertiliser, can stand a few degrees of frost and thrive in full sun. Flowers (spring summer and well into autumn) come in reds, oranges and yellow hues. We grow them here in Christchurch easily and they’re outside all year long! Dendrobium is a Genus of orchids that is also quite hardy, although we keep them under trees in winter to reduce the heaviest frosts. Giving the plants direct sunlight is the key to getting heaps of flower spikes (too dark and they really don’t flower well) Liquid fertiliser with a good amount of potash will make them happy; The “rock lily” (Queensland coast plants!) has large flowers (pictured) whereas the smaller Dendrobiums often have blue, purple or sometimes pink flowers Try them – they are Easy-AsSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We all might be saying "let me Bing that" very soon as Microsoft has stunned the tech community showcasing their investment in AI. Bing wants to answer your questions, and Microsoft says Bing can do that now better than anyone using the same tech behind Chat GPT, and the Bing search index information it has. Their chat responses will stay up to date with current events, you you could ask Bing to summarize a news story from yesterday. It will also show it's sources so you can dive into more information and see if the information it's pulling from is accurate. The new Bing being talked about as Microsoft's "iPhone moment" and is a real opportunity for them to reintroduce themselves as a company who can innovate. Google has had a monopoly on search for a decade, absolutely printing money over that time. But now, Microsoft is giving people a reason to try Bing - which they haven't really had before. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Funny Woman: Gemma Arterton and Rupert Everett star in this British comedy based on the best-selling Nick Hornby novel about a woman who moves to London in the 1960s to take the comedy world by storm (Neon). You: A new season of Netflix’s hit psychological thriller that follows a bookshop manager's obsession with becoming the perfect boyfriend (Netflix) Freddie Flintoff’s Field of Dreams: Former international cricketer Freddie Flintoff returns to his hometown of Preston with the aim of creating a brand-new cricket team from a unlikely group of wayward teens (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

World Cup winner, World Rugby Player of the Year and a nominee in next week’s Halberg Awards. Ruahei Demant has one of the best CVs in sport, not bad for a kid who grew up in the small East Coast settlement of Ōmāio. 2022 was a year for the books for the 27-year-old. She’s overcome not one, not two but three knee reconstructions to get to where she is. And there’s no rest for the wicked; Ruahei is preparing for the start of Super Rugby Aupiki in a couple of weeks. She’s took some time out from training to join Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Versions of this slice have been around for years but this version, from Joe’s Garage in Queenstown with a few tweaks from me, is economical and slightly healthier than most with plenty of seeds packed in there. Makes about 12-16 bars 150g butter, melted 250g biscuit crumbs – I use malt, superwine or gingernuts (or a combo) ½ cup each pumpkin sunflower seeds ½ cup chocolate chips ½ coconut ½ cup rice bubbles ½ cup dried apricots, chopped ½ cup sultanas ¼ cup cranberries 1 x 395g tin condensed milk - Heat oven to 180 C and line a Swiss roll tin with baking paper. - In a large bowl, mix the biscuit crumbs with melted butter and press this firmly into the lined tin for the biscuit base. - In the same bowl, mix all remaining ingredients , except the condensed milk, together. Tumble this on top of the biscuit base and spread evenly. - Drizzle over condensed milk and bake for 25-30 minutes or until just starting to brown in places on top. - Cool then chill until set before cutting into bars. Eat up!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Magic Mike’s Last Dance Mike Lane takes to the stage once again when a business deal that went bust leaves him broke and bartending in Florida. Hoping for one last hurrah, Mike heads to London with a wealthy socialite who lures him with an offer he can't refuse -- and an agenda all her own. With everything on the line, he soon finds himself trying to whip a hot new roster of talented dancers into shape. The Son Peter's hectic life gets further upended when his ex-wife tells him their teenage son, Nicholas, is deeply troubled. He soon tries to take care of Nicholas the same way he would have wanted his own father to have taken care of him. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne says you’ll probably escape the worst of impending Cyclone Gabrielle but has concerns around the state of some people's mental health. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Of all the things to be plucked out of the ocean by authorities this week, the Chinese balloon probably caused the greatest international incident. But you can only imagine the mood on the deck of the HMNZS Manawanui, as the Kiwi crew hauled in half a billion dollars worth of cocaine. 3.2 tonnes of cocaine sounds like a lot. And it is, when you frame it in the context of New Zealand’s drug market. But given the U.N estimates about two thousand tonnes of cocaine is produced in South America every year, authorities would need to make 625 hauls of a similar size to wipe out an annual supply. A Pacific drug bust every 13 hours. The Police reckon the Pacific haul was headed to Australia. And although they’ve framed it as a massive blow to the illicit drug industry, there’s a good argument to be made that the next few months are likely to be pretty lucrative for cocaine dealers in Oz, who will no doubt charge an even greater premium for whatever product they do have on hand. Just imagine you’re part of an organised crime syndicate in South America watching the news. Even before the bust, New Zealand and Australia consumers paid some of the highest prices for cocaine of any market in the World. Now, you’ve every reason to think the drugs you could be selling in America or Europe will fetch an even greater premium down under. A bust like this only incentivises producers to send more drugs our way. There’s also the likelihood the cocaine that has reached its Australasian destination will be cut with other, more dangerous drugs in order to extend supply. Even before the mysterious package was fished out of the Pacific, cocaine purity in Australasia was poor, at best. A study by the Australian National University last year found the country’s cocaine purity was just 27 percent, and 40 percent of the samples they tested, purporting to be cocaine, contained no cocaine whatsoever. You can smirk, but for years, health authorities in Australia have warned about a much more dangerous drug – fentanyl – turning up in cocaine powder. In September, a new report showed fentanyl deaths in Australia have increased more than 1000% in the last 15 years. I’m always bemused when authorities celebrate a big drug bust. I’m not suggesting they shouldn’t seek to crack down on international drug syndicates, but ultimately it’s just a game of whack-a-mole. There is no winning the war on drugs. In New Zealand and Australia, cocaine is a glamorous drug. It’s socially acceptable in middle-class circles in a way that methamphetamine has never been. A blow to cocaine supply won’t do anything to hurt cocaine demand. And as long as demand exists, suppliers will find a way. The bust this week might have been celebrated as a victory for the law, but ultimately it was just a drop in the ocean.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shania Twain - Queen of Me It’s hard to overstate just how huge Shania Twain was in the late ’90s. The Canadian country singer was everywhere thanks to the success of her 1995 album The Woman in Me and two years later, its chart-busting successor Come On Over (still the best-selling country album of all time). Twain’s voice returned lower and raspier after her surgeries, but musically, she’s back to her poppy, peppy self on her new LP, opening with the boot-scooting party-starter Giddy Up! and maintaining an upbeat vibe throughout — even on the tracks with teeth. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Winter Grave – Peter May From the twelve-million copy bestselling author of the Lewis trilogy comes a chilling new mystery set in the isolated Scottish Highlands. A TOMB OF ICE A young meteorologist checking a mountain top weather station in Kinlochleven discovers the body of a missing man entombed in ice. A DYING DETECTIVE Cameron Brodie, a Glasgow detective, sets out on a hazardous journey to the isolated and ice-bound village. He has his own reasons for wanting to investigate a murder case so far from his beat. AN AGONIZING RECKONING Brodie must face up to the ghosts of his past and to a killer determined to bury forever the chilling secret that his investigation threatens to expose. Set against a backdrop of a frighteningly plausible near-future, A WINTER GRAVE is Peter May at his page-turning, passionate and provocative best. Becky – Sarah May It’s peak 90s London. Shoulder pads are out, crimped hair is in, supermodels are known by their first names, and Becky Sharp will do anything to escape her past. From mingling with tabloid millionaires to trading favours and fortunes with royalty, she will stop at nothing to reach the top of the career ladder at the Mercury newspaper. Landing scoop after scoop, Becky ruthlessly carves a place for herself in a society determined to ignore her. These are the biggest stories and scandals of the decade, and she has something to do with every one of them. But Becky may have more in common with the people she writes about than she thinks – what takes a lifetime to build takes only a moment to destroy . . . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley is once again the envy of us all with his travels to Lake Como. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I think it’s fair to say Wayne Brown’s YouTube apology has only underscored a pretty obvious fact. Auckland’s Lord Mayor would probably be the first to admit it: he is not Captain Charisma when it comes to communication. In many ways, that played to his advantage in the local election campaign. There’s no doubt that the discontent with Central Government and the festering anger that some Aucklanders felt over Jacinda Ardern’s leadership played a significant role in Wayne Brown’s final tally. Voters were sick of style. They were sick of the smiling press conferences and carefully controlled messaging. They felt angry. Wayne Brown’s central message was that he wouldn’t just talk the talk, he’d get stuff done. He’d put substance over style. And in the end he romped in. I’m sure she’s utterly exhausted, but I’ve no doubt a major factor in Jacinda’s Ardern decision to stand down as Prime Minister was because she didn’t think it was very likely she’d win October’s election. Justified or not, she sensed the anger and opposition to her leadership, and realised how difficult it would be to overcome it by October. Ultimately she’ll be remembered as a bit of an Obama – what she represented as a leader was greater than the policy changes she achieved. She fell well short of her stated aspirations. But she remains a uniquely talented communicator with an extraordinary emotional intelligence, whose public leadership at times of crisis was invaluable. Oh, to have had a leader with that kind of communication skill during the Auckland floods. At a time when Auckland voters pushed back hard against style and communication skills, the city found itself chest-deep in floodwaters and desperate for someone at the top with communication talents. Auckland knew Wayne Brown didn’t have those skills. It’s a good part of the reason he was elected! So, it can hardly have been a surprise that in those early hours, he didn’t shine. 2023 has taught us one thing about effective leadership. We need our leaders to be good with implementing policy, good at affecting real change, good at getting stuff done, AND good communicators. Too much of one skill, if it happens to be at the expense of another, means that inevitably they’ll be left wanting.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate 'Ethically Kate' Hall has a warning that New Zealand made doesn’t mean ethically made and how to shop ethically instead of just looking for that NZ Made symbol. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe now is a good time to talk about water on our planet. Gardeners often know exactly where the water courses are around the house; this comes in very handy if you want to grow sensitive plants that survive droughts, or if you want to prevent “drowning” or root rot infections on plants that are susceptible to very wet conditions. Next time you fly in an aeroplane, get a window seat! And watch the scenery below… Braided River water systems (in Canterbury) Note the pattern of frequently-used river beds when the water is high; Note also the same pattern of rarely-used river beds … exactly the same patterns! Your garden (and especially your lawn!) will show similar tell-tale signs of how Nature flows its liquids away in high rainfall events. Note how all these channels never make a 90 degree bend (a 90 degree bend is very inefficient in transporting fluids!!) Just look at the vein system in leaves on plants and trees; Look at lungs in your body and the blood vessels in your eyeballs Now look at our plumbing department in all those big shops that provide you with guttering and pipes etc etc. We seem to often think in 90 degree bends! Biomimicry is learning from Nature! For some silly reason “Engineers” think they can be cleverer than Nature and build houses anywhere. Of course, nature throws up “challenges” but Homo sapiens has the brains to find solutions that result in conquering nature so that our bizarre population growth can be accommodated in just about any habitat. Many will remember the 2005 floods that destroyed dozens of homes in Matatā (Bay of Plenty). Dan Hikuroa tells a lovely story about the Taniwhā and he illustrates that nicely with the “sweeping tail” that changes direction in time. The river bed that comes out into the sea at Matatā has had many courses over the past hundreds of years and those courses looked exactly like the pictures of braided rivers. Maori knew how far that “sweeping tail” of the Taniwha could reach and therefore never built the marae anywhere near the danger zone. I think it’s time to take note of Ancient Knowledge, as well as Learning from Nature See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wine: Sacred Hill Chardonnay, Hawke’s Bay $17.99 Why I chose it: - I’m always on the lookout for good, inexpensive chardonnay and this is a standout. - Sacred Hill has a new owner and a new winemaker (Nick Picone was chief winemaker of Villa Maria, chardonnay is his signature wine) - Chardonnay is the second most popular NZ white wine after SB What does it taste like? - “A triumph of winemaking in a challenging vintage. Fruit-focused chardonnay with bright, fresh flavours that include vanilla, green apple and lime blossom. Light-bodied white with a long, mouth-cleansing finish. Offers value at this price. Why it’s a bargain: - If you shop around you can find it at prices as low as $12.99 which, given the quality, makes it a bargain. Where can you buy it? I found it at my local New World for $12.99 Food match? I had it with a Marie Rose Prawn Cocktail (mayonnaise, tomato sauce, sweet chilli sauce and lemon juice) – terrific! Will it keep? Good for two or three years from vintage. Wine Tip: It is tempting to over-chill white wine to beat the muggy summer heat but be prepared to lose flavour if you overdo it. My advice is to experiment with temperature until you get it just right for your taste and whatever mother nature gives us. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft Teams won't be all-free anymore, they're putting up a paywall They're going to offer a "Premium" tier, costing $7 per user per month. Some of the features will move from the free tier to the premium tier like live translated captions, together mode customizations and virtual appointments. But they'll also add some new extras too the most exciting one being an integration with Chat GPT to help summarize your meeting notes, suggest tasks and next steps. They'll also help keep meetings private with video watermarking and copy and pasting from the chat. Beyoncé is headed on a world tour... will you be able to get a ticket? After the Taylor Swift debacle all eyes will be on Ticketmaster as tickets go on sale over the coming week. Promoters say they saw initial demand for tickets was 800 percent greater than tickets available so new shows were added. Ticketmaster is again leveraging its "Verified Fan" program to help keep bots out. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Ex-Wife: A British thriller based on the bestselling novel about a woman who appears to be living the perfect life with her loving husband and beautiful young daughter. There's just one problem... the obsessive ex-wife who won't leave them alone (TVNZ+) When Bob Came: A captivating six-part documentary series exploring the cultural, political and musical impact of Bob Marley’s iconic 1979 concert at the Western Springs Stadium in Auckland (TVNZ+, from Monday 6 February). Cunk on Earth: A mockumentary series that follows Philomena Cunk as she comically tells the story of our greatest inventions and asks experts hard-hitting questions about humanity's progress (Netflix). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Singer-songwriter Theia has risen the ranks to become a powerhouse Kiwi artist. You might also recognise her name in connection to TE KAAHU. With overseas travel plans side-tracked by Covid, the singer poured her energy into composing songs in te reo Māori and released a full album to rave reviews both here and around the world. Theia is back this year with new music and has just released a single called Pray 4 Me. Theia joined Jack Tame live in studio. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With crunch and crispiness, hits of sweet, sour and heat all mingling in each mouthful, this salad is incredible! Serves 4-6 2 tbsps cooking oil 4 red chillis, de-seeded ½ red onion, chopped fine 1 small handful coriander, leaves and root 2 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped 3 tbsps oil ½ cup brown sugar 2-3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar 4 cups cubed watermelon ½ telegraph cucumber, peeled and cored, sliced 1 cup cashews, toasted Handful of mint leaves For the caramel: make a paste with chillis, onion, coriander, garlic and one tablespoon of oil. Fry this in remaining oil for 4-5 minutes, then add sugar and cook until it begins to thicken. Add vinegar and stir to combine. Taste (careful to cool it first!) for seasoning – add more vinegar or salt as needed. Pour into a warmed jar. Caramel dressing will store well in fridge for 3-4 weeks too. In a large bowl, mix watermelon, sliced cucumber and toasted cashews and mint leaves. Five minutes before serving, pour over half chilli caramel, toss well, taste and add more caramel to taste. Serve chilled. Nici’s tip: Core cucumber by halving lengthwise and running tip of a teaspoon spoon down the length to remove seeds and watery pulp. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shotgun Wedding (Prime Video) Darcy and Tom gather their families for a destination wedding, but the ceremony gets put on hold when gunmen take everyone hostage. Now, they must do everything they can to save their loved ones, if they don't wind up killing each other first. Knock at the Cabin (cinema) While vacationing at a remote cabin, a young girl and her parents are taken hostage by four armed strangers who demand that the family make an unthinkable choice to avert the apocalypse. With limited access to the outside world, the family must decide what they believe before all is lost. From visionary filmmaker M. Night Shyamalan, Knock at the Cabin stars Dave Bautista (Dune, Guardians of the Galaxy franchise), Tony award and Emmy nominee Jonathan Groff (Hamilton, Mindhunter), Ben Aldridge (Pennyworth, Fleabag), BAFTA nominee Nikki Amuka-Bird (Persuasion, Old), newcomer Kristen Cui, Abby Quinn (Little Women, Landline) and Rupert Grint (Servant, Harry Potter franchise). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne has drawn some comparisons between Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and former Prime Minister, Robert Muldoon, saying they are both brash, and both come with a dislike of journalists. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We came around a corner and he was lying there, dead. A white rhinoceros, transformed from his trotting magnificence into a big grey heap. The bullet wound in his side was fresh. The blood had poured out of him but clearly he’d stayed upright for a bit before falling into the dirt. And as he lay there before us, turning to rot in the summer heat, that beautiful creature suffered one final indignity. Evidently, the poachers had taken his big horn, but they’d fled before collecting his smaller one. And before anyone could come back, the park rangers hacked it off with an axe. We arrived in Johannesburg and spent the first couple of days in the city. We were warned not to drive at night and so we didn’t. But we drove through Soweto. We visited the apartheid museum. And we left. It was a green city, Jacaranda trees everywhere, but you wouldn’t call it beautiful or welcoming. All around Jozi are massive dusty tailing heaps from the gold mines that made Johannesburg an economic powerhouse. I’m not sure I’ve never been to a place with such a stark difference between the rich and the poor. We hired a Hilux and drove south, taking off road tracks whenever possible. We spent days in the Drakensberg ranges, with some of the best hiking of my life. We drove up the Sani Pass into Lesotho, and then north from Durban along elephant coast. It’s the unexpected little moments that always stick with me when I travel. One day, in the middle of Zulu country, we stopped for coffee in a white gated township designed as a perfect English village. You know the kind - the streets had names like Elderberry Lane and Badger’s Hollow. Almost every house had carefully manicured primroses out the front. It felt like an episode out of Midsummer Murders. But just five minutes down the road, Zulu women were carrying baskets on their heads. All up, we did 3000km in the Hilux. We did three or four days of Safari, with rhinos, hippos, giraffes, and mighty, graceful African elephants. We crossed into southern Mozambique. I scuba dived with bull and tiger sharks. We spent a few days in the Kingdom of Eswatini, and we flew to Cape Town, which is a truly astonishing place. Sitting there on the Cape on a white sand beach, watching some of the World’s best kite surfers launching themselves off waves, in the shadow of Table Mountain was an experience I will treasure. I reckon only Rio could maybe challenge Cape Town as the most spectacular city in the World. I was away for three weeks. It was fantastic. I didn’t get robbed and I didn’t get sick. And we were lucky with that kind of time, to get a good sense of the place. When I think back to my trip, I reckon that rhino was South Africa. In a way, it represented the promise and the pain of the place. A country with more wonder.. more diversity... of culture, language, landscapes, wildlife than almost anywhere on Earth. But a country shackled with such significant problems that it cannot fulfil its potential. A country with 70% of the World’s rhinos that can’t stop its citizens from shooting them dead. The thing that surprised me most about the whole experience was the way in which our guide reacted. He wasn’t surprised when we came across that scene. He didn’t even seem that sad. He seemed resigned to it, normalised even. Consumers in China and Vietnam maintain an insatiable demand for rhino horn. South Africa loses a rhino to poachers roughly every 36 hours. We finished our day in the game reserve. A few hours after first coming across him, we drove past that rhino’s massive grey corpse once more. The wardens had moved on. The sun beat down. We left him to the hyenas and the birds.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Auckland Airport's domestic terminal is back up and running. The International terminal is set to start departures from 5pm, but that's set to be confirmed shortly. International arrivals will start after 4am tomorrow. Auckland Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui told Tim Beveridge flooding from nearby areas eventually made its way into the terminals last night. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people have died and two are missing after raging floodwaters and slips caused by an unprecedented deluge of rain across Auckland. The city is in a state of emergency after the downpour caused widespread flooding, slips, road closures and travel disruptions. Auckland Emergency Management Duty Controller Andrew Clark told Tim Beveridge the situation has stabilised significantly since late last night. He says they're focusing on providing emergency accommodation for people at evacuation centres who can't get home due to damage. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

MetService meteorologist Dan Corrigan told Tim Beveridge says Auckland saw 71 millimetres worth of rain between seven and eight pm last night. He says they classify heavy rain as 6 millimetres an hour. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two people remain unaccounted for after Auckland was clobbered by torrential rain. A man is missing after being swept away in floodwaters just after 10pm in Onewhero -- a second person is missing after a landslide bought down a house in Remuera. Meanwhile Police say two bodies were found on the North Shore overnight. One man was found dead in a flooded culvert in Wairau Valley, the other in a flooded carpark on Link Drive. Deputy Prime Minister Carmel Sepuloni is at the Kelston evacuation centre, where are 60 people have sought help. She told Tim Beveridge the flooding in her electorate of Kelston is horrendous. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Band of brothers COTERIE (Tyler, Josh, Brandford and Conrad Fisher) have created the soundtrack track of the summer with their self-titled debut album set for release on December 9. 14 fresh tracks featuring their breakout Platinum single Cool It Down (#1 Airplay, #1 Shazam), Killin’ It Off and West Coast Drive. Immersed in West Coast surf and art culture, the band have developed a blend of soulful rock music with an added dose of harmonies that have audiences wanting more. Blind Beat, a six track EP made by Drax Project, created from a self-set challenge to create music completely blindly. Each member had ten minutes to create their part of the song without any idea of what their fellow bandmates were creating. When the time was up, they’d come together in the studio to mix the songs, resulting in their new EP. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Raynes has been reading Prince Harry's memoir Spare and The Hemsworth Effect by James Weir. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kaua'i has some beautiful and distinctive features, and according to Mike Yardley, it's a wonderful holiday destination. For more tips on tripping the delights of Kaua'i, Mike's article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many kiwis are tight on funds at the moment, but Kate Hall has a few tips so they can make sustainable choices will keeping to their budgets. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruud Kleinpaste joined Francesca after his trip to Hawai'i to chat about the islands' biodiversity, and the threats the ecosystems face. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The sweetness of nectarine and the richness of extra virgin olive oil makes this the most wonderful summer cake. Serve it warm for dessert with a scoop of vanilla ice cream with a drizzle of fruity olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. LISTEN ABOVE RECIPE Makes one 20 cm cake 3-4 ripe nectarines, sliced 1 cup extra virgin olive oil 1/2 cup + 2 tbsps extra sugar 2 large eggs 1 tablespoon Greek yoghurt 1 1/3 cups plain flour ½ tsp baking powder Pinch baking soda Preheat oven to 180 C or 160 fan bake. Grease a 20x20cm square cake tin and line with baking paper. Toss nectarines with ¼ cup of the olive oil and 2 tbsps sugar. Leave to sit for 10 minutes. In a bowl whisk eggs with remaining ½ cup sugar until pale and thickened. Whisk in remaining olive oil and yoghurt. Sift in flour, baking powder and baking soda and stir until combined. Fold in fruit mixture and juices. Scrape batter into tin and bake for 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Leave to cool for 10 minutes before removing from tin. Serve with vanilla ice cream, a drizzle of olive oil and a sprinkle of sea salt. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctor Bryan Betty joined Francesca to chat about health and Atrial Fibrillation: what it is, its symptoms, and how to deal with it. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Chief of Staff for Labour, Neale Jones joined Francesca to chat about Chris Hipkins and his nomination for Prime Minister. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mark Manson, bestselling author of Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck joined Francesca to chat about making his book into a movie and filming it in NZ. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

M3GAN: A young girl is given a prototype AI, programmed to be a child’s companion and a parents ally. M3GAN can listen, watch, and learn, for better or for worse. The Menu: Hawthorn is an exclusive dining experience operated by celebrity Chef Julian Slowik, and the diners of the night are in for an unmatchable and unforgettable experience. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On Tuesday, Kevin did something he never thought he'd do and picked up a brand new car. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Until Thursday, I would have described 2023, all 19 days of it, as been all about extreme weather, Harry and Meghan’s attempt to burn down the House of Windsor, and potholes. But nothing gets a newsroom going like a surprise resignation of a Prime Minister. Who would have thought one of our most popular Prime Ministers would join the great resignation trend. I was both shocked, and somehow not surprised. The Prime Minister said “I have given my absolute all to being Prime Minister but it has also taken a lot out of me. You cannot and should not do the job unless you have a full tank, plus a bit in reserve for those unplanned and unexpected challenges that inevitably come along. Having reflected over summer I know I no longer have that bit extra in the tank to do the job justice. It’s that simple.” And it is. We always hear politicians say the job is a privilege and that it’s an honour to serve. But it can be a thankless task. Unless you are a politician or married to one, I don’t think anyone really understands what the job fully entails - the work load, the hours, the constant critiquing of your performance and policies. If you worry about what other people think of you then the job for not for you. I appreciated her honesty around it. Quite simply, she’s burnt out. There should be no shame or judgement in that - save that for her political legacy. Who wouldn’t be depleted after the last five and a half years she’s had, years unlike what any previous prime minister has had to deal with. I’m sure it felt like twice as long. I’d be buggered too. There will be those who feel that since she was elected by the people, she should stick it out until October 14th. That she is leaving because of a drop in the polls and can read the writing on the wall. That she cannot handle the vitriol and nastiness many women in politics experience, and on a growing level. Sure, these issues probably contributed to Ardern’s decision but it’s not one thing alone that leads to burnout. Anyway if there is more to her resignation, we will probably have to wait until the memoir. And considering her reputation around the world I’m sure the offers won’t be far away. But running New Zealand, with all the challenges it faces heading into 2023 is not a job that can be done on an empty tank. It is not a job you can quietly quit. The Prime Minister’s resignation does put the labour party in a difficult position. Whether you agree with her policies and politics or not, Jacinda Ardern is a very good communicator and leader. One of a kind. The party has a tough year ahead as an election looms and we hold them to account for their performance and delivery over the last 2 terms. Whoever tries to fill Ardern’s shoes won’t have an easy time of it. Should she have called a snap election? Some believe so. We will have a Prime Minister we didn’t vote for, and you’ve seen how that played out it in the UK. Aware that whoever takes over her role cannot be seen as a caretaker PM, Ardern has opted to give a new leader time to cement themselves into the role, and to give them a fighting chance to have made their mark by 14th October. While the decision to resign is unexpected, the Labour party will want to give off the impression they are united and calm in the face of it all. That said, I still believe Ardern has made the right decision for us, for her family, and for herself. Her move might even be the best thing for the Labour Party. The Prime Minister resignation is a reminder we have all been through some tough years, and there’s nothing wrong with taking time to fill up the tank. It’s a message we should all take on in 2023.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Raynes lists her best reads of 2022. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Estelle Clifford takes Jack Tame through her top listens of 2022. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the holiday season dawns, the great New Zealand summer calendar is adorned with some sure-fire hits to add some extra zing to your holiday. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Raynes lists her best reads of 2022. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Litivenko: David Tennant stars in this drama that follows the Scotland Yard Officers who worked to prove who was responsible for the death of Alexander Litvinenko, in one of the most complex and dangerous investigations in the history of the Metropolitan Police (TVNZ+). 1923: Harrison Ford and Dame Helen Mirren star in this prequel to Yellowstone, where the Dutton ancestors must face a new set of challenges in the early 20th century, including the rise of Western expansion, Prohibition, and the Great Depression (Prime Video from 19 December). Top Class: The cream of Aotearoa's music and comedy talent pay tribute to the Topp Twins in a live concert at Auckland's Civic Theatre for their 40th anniversary, with legends like Don McGlashan, Annie Crummer, Dame Hinewehi Mohi and Troy Kingi (Neon). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wine: Akarua Rua 2001 Pinot Noir, Central Otago $27 Why I chose it: - It is my best buy of 2022 - Really good PN doesn’t often dip below $30 - Everyone who loves PN as much as I do should try this wine - Perfect with ham and turkey What does it taste like? - Akarua’s entry level Pinot Noir famously offers great value. Bright fresh wine with pronounced fruit flavours. Sweet cherry, ripe plum, a hint of floral and an attractively spicy finish. Why it’s a bargain: - I’d be happy if I had paid $45 for it. Where can you buy it? - Whisky and More, Waikato $22.99; Winesale.co.nz, Lower Hutt $22.99; The Good Wine Co, Auckland $24.99 Food match? - Smoked salmon is my favourite Will it keep? - Drink within two years while it remains fresh and fruity Wine Tip - Don’t drink red wine too warm. Pop your glass of wine in the fridge for 5-10 minutes (it takes longer to chill the whole bottle) See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Dromgool has some advice about how to create the 'magic' of Christmas despite hard times. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.