Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Kevin Milne wants to talk about Taika Waititi wearing a demure pleated skirt while MCing the MTV Music Awards in Dusseldorf. He says "Good on him" and explains why. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

GAMBLING REFORMS MISS THE BIGGEST PROBLEM WITH POKIES I was in Las Vegas for work once upon a time, staying at an aging casino, and I witnessed something I’ve never forgotten. I went out to film a story at about 6pm one evening and as I headed out, I passed a guy sitting two or three seats in on a long row of slot machines, trying his luck. The shoot went late. I came back to my hotel room at about 1am. And as I crossed the casino floor I looked down at the same row of slot machines. The guy was still there. I had a flight to catch the next morning. I got up. Packed my suitcase. Came down at about 8am. You can see where this is going... Same guy. Same clothes. Same machine. Same dead eyes as he hit that button over and over again. I dunno what it is about pokies. There is something about them, some little piece of psychological witchcraft, that short circuits the human brain. And while here in New Zealand you’d hope we’re at the stage where no one can sit and mindlessly whittle away their money on a pokie machine for fourteen hours straight, it’s hard to overstate how destructive a gambling addiction can be. The Government’s announced a review of pokies and the Gambling Act, alongside some pokie reforms that’ll come into force next year. But the reforms are much weaker than what was initially proposed. For the time being, there will be no cuts to pokie jackpots, no ban on free rolls, and softer penalties for pub owners who don’t follow the rules, compared to what was proposed. Instead, the changes that have been confirmed concern where pokies and ATMs can be positioned in an pub, and rules around how pub owners should check for and treat problem gamblers. It’s not nothing, but it’s also not a profound change. Some problem gambler advocates have expressed disappointment, but I must admit to being a bit surprised to read comments from the Chair of the Gaming Machine Association. Peter Dengate-Thrush told Stuff that even his organisation felt the changes didn’t go far enough, the Minister had missed an opportunity, and facial recognition software to identify problem gamblers should be introduced across New Zealand. For me though, there’s a fundamental problem with pokie machines in New Zealand that still needs to be addressed. And so far, almost no one wants to touch it. Under our law, a minimum of 40 percent of pokie proceeds have to be returned to the community as charitable grants. We’re always reminded when a sports club or a dance group has been supported by a grant from a charitable gaming trust. Many people don’t give it much thought – a charitable grant sounds great! But I see it differently. The ends don’t justify the means. The community funding structure is a very clever way to excuse, normalise, and even subtly promote hugely damaging, antisocial behaviour. Can’t we find a better way to fund community organisations? A way that doesn’t mean our sports clubs and hobby groups are relying on New Zealanders pouring their money into pokie machines in order to survive? Money doesn’t grow on trees but we’re robbing Peter to pay Paul. What’s the point in supporting one community with a charitable grant if you have to damage another community in order to get the money in the first place? These government reforms are a start but if you really want to smash the problem, follow the money. The whole structure has to change.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Counting Crows has sold more than 20 million records and spent two decades touring the world. After a bit of a hiatus, they released a new album last year and are returning to our shores in March. Lead singer Adam Duritz has led the way through it all and he joined Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s not the first home I’ve ever owned. That privilege goes to my apartment, which I officially bid farewell to last month after almost six years. But it’s the first house I’ve ever owned. And who knows? Life is what happens when you’re busy making plans, right? But I bought it thinking it might just be the first family home I ever own. I picked up the keys last week. The agent met me at the front door. A big old villa in a great location with much more space than I have furniture for, and a backyard with a feijoa tree. I even bought a lawnmower. Me! A lawnmower! My first ever lawnmower. A home that would be perfect for kids. Perfect for BBQs. Perfect for visiting inlaws. I feel very fortunate, indeed. At least, I did. Ever since we went unconditional I’ve been counting down the days until my first sleep in the new pad. I thought my girlfriend and I would share a delicious dinner. I’d bring in my bed, make it up with my fanciest linen, and slip between the sheets for a glorious night of rest, blissful in the peace and security of my own four walls. Instead, I spent my first night in the new pad alone, tossing and turning and tangling a sleeping bag on a blow up mattress with fever dreams and a dehydrated mucus mouth. Thanks Covid. There will be other milestones to celebrate. My first night in a real bed. Our first meal at the dining table. Our first full mortgage repayments. GULP. So many people have reassured me that after a few months, you just get used to paying the mortgage and don’t think too much of it. Given the size of my mortgage, I’m not quite so sure I’ll be forgetting it anytime soon. Doing the maths makes me want to throw up in my mouth. But even though over the course of my adult lifetime I’ll be paying the equivalent of several years’ income in interest payments, there is one little thing I keep reminding myself of in an effort to quell my disgust. Sure, I’ll be handing over hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest, but at least I’ll be handing it over to a New Zealand-owned bank. I’m not suggesting the system is perfect. But don’t forget, as customers we still have choices.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne is trying to track down a sport that he says has disappeared from New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Enola Holmes 2 Enola Holmes takes on her first case as a detective, but to unravel the mystery of a missing girl, she'll need some help from friends -- and brother Sherlock. Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Queen Ramonda, Shuri, M'Baku, Okoye and the Dora Milaje fight to protect their nation from intervening world powers in the wake of King T'Challa's death. As the Wakandans strive to embrace their next chapter, the heroes must band together with Nakia and Everett Ross to forge a new path for their beloved kingdom. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Make this gorgeous slice and serve it warm with vanilla ice cream for a dessert that heroes rhubarb or cold with a cuppa! Makes 12-16 squares 250g cold butter 415g (about 3 ¼ cups) plain flour Decent pinch salt 3-5 tablespoons cold water 1 cup whole almonds ¾ cup raw sugar 500g chopped rhubarb Grease and line a Swiss roll tin (23x33cm), leaving some of the baking paper hanging over the long sides. Rub/grate chilled butter into the flour and salt (or do it in a food processor). Toss the butter in the flour. Divide this mixture equally into two bowls. Into one, pour 3-5 tablespoons of ice-cold water, stirring first with a knife to a scraggy mess then add a bit more water before turning out to knead briefly so it comes together. Flatten to a disc, wrap and chill for 20 minutes. Heat oven to 180 C. Blitz almonds in a food processor until it’s a coarse crumb. Add this crumb and the sugar to the other half of the flour/butter and mix to combine to a crumble. Roll chilled dough on a well-floured bench to fit your tin, big enough to come up the sides, and carefully transfer to your tin. Press into the corners and up the sides. Cover with chopped rhubarb then spoon over crumble topping. Bake for 50 minutes or until browned on top and juice from the fruit has started to bubble through. Cool in the tin until just warm then slice. Eat with scoops of ice cream. YUM! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're watching a company implode, in real-time, because of self-detonation Elon Musk fired half the company last Friday, then after the weekend reportedly asked some of the folks to come back. They launched new "official account" labels on profiles to differentiate between the blue paid-for checkmarks, then suddenly scrapped them. Launched the $8 Twitter Blue plan on Wednesday, and now, two days later have already pulled it from the app. This came after basically all the worse-case scenarios came true: companies had accounts created with their logos and names, became verified, then began announcing things that weren't true. Fake accounts for politicans popped up, looked real because of the checkmark, then began tweeting crazy things. Like a fake George W Bush account that said he missed killing Iraquis, or a fake Donald Trump account that apologized to President Joe Biden. Jesus became verified. Someone already made a Chrome extension to change the labels to indicate what are paid for, and actually verified accounts. A swath of their executives have left - including those in privacy, policy and security. Oh, and they have a communications team of zero. They're losing $4 million a day. Elon sold an additional $4 billion of Tesla stock to pump into Twitter. Advertisers are bailing. They're being watched closely by the Federal Trade Commission. And Elon says bankruptcy may be in the future. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The English: Emily Blunt and Rafe Spall star in this Western series set in Wyoming about a woman seeking revenge on the man she sees as responsible for the death of her son (Prime Video). The Crown: Imelda Staunton, Dominic West, Jonathan Pryce, Lesley Manville join the cast of Netflix’s popular drama about the British Royal Family (Netflix). The Black Ferns: Wāhine Toa: An inspiring two-part documentary following the world champion Black Ferns as they prepare to defend the Rugby World Cup (Neon/Sky Go). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr. Bryan Betty talks diabetes with Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spots on Leaves. A very common plant health problem that makes leaves look rather tatty and unhealthy. A good example is black spot on roses; dark brown to black in colour, often with a distinct yellow “ring” around it. These are fungal disorders and the best way to battle them is by prevention. Keep your plants spaced-out, in other words: give them room to dry out in the wind after a rain shower. The quicker those leaves are dry, the shorter the infection time will be. Spittle bugs South Island gardeners will know them well – it seems a typical critter in our neck of the woods. The larvae of these frog hoppers love to extract juices out of their host plants (lavender is wonderfully affected in my garden, but Coprosma and lots of other plants are also a target. The way these insects protect themselves is by creating a wet bubbly bubble that gives them a good shelter site, so that predators (birds, and predatory insects) cannot find them. Try wiping the spittle away and you’ll find a nice, green insect staring at you. It might even show you its clever “move”, with abdominal contractions blowing air into it’s wet nest, causing those spittle bubbles. It protects them from dehydration and temperature fluctuations. Their damage to the plants is quite minor, so don’t even worry trying to control them. Spiders Spiders are another critter that becomes quite obvious at this time of the year. For starters there will be heaps of these arachnids on your plants already, feasting on whatever might fall into the spider trap (the “website”). Some spiders literally go hunting on foot, grabbing small prey like caterpillars and moths, beetles and crashed flies. But the coolest arachnids are those that make some significant spider egg sacs full of hatching eggs. I found some egg sacs on my wall with hundreds of tiny spiderlings dispersing in all directions on silken threads. “Ballooning” is one of the cleverest ways to move long distances, away from hungry brothers and sisters. Little Jumping spiders also make their presence known inside the house – hunting for small flies in your kitchen and lounge areas, with agility and precision. Those Spiders are really my favourite critters of the summer - I can watch them for hours. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hall has a few points to make when it comes to recycling soft plastic in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley talks to Jack Tame about his travels in Bern, Switzerland. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last weekend’s semi-final was one of the most exhilarating, desperate, thrilling rugby games I’ve ever seen in my life. It felt chaotic. Totally unpredictable. The French dominated at the breakdown. The New Zealanders played at such a tempo, lunging and scrambling and hurling the ball wide. God, it was exciting. After 80 minutes, you’d have to say agree, no team deserved to lose that game. But the best teams will take every flicker of good fortune they can muster. And so tonight, the Black Ferns contest the final. I’ve told you before about my past experience with the women’s sevens rugby team. It was eight years ago in Brazil, when the team had just been formed to compete on the World tour. I flew down and spent a week living and working with them in Rio de Janiero. Because rugby sevens was to become an Olympic sport, and because there was now a Women’s World’s Series to contest, New Zealand Rugby had started investing in women’s rugby in a way they hadn’t before. Still, back then, few Kiwi rugby fans would have known the players’ names. I was only there for a week, but by living, and eating, playing cards and even exercising with the team, I had a really special insight into a group of young women would be soon be stars. They were captained by a workhorse called Sarah Hirini. They had a star winger called Portia Woodman and a young smartass cracking jokes in the locker room and putting gangsta’ rap on the stereo, called Ruby Tui. They were young. They were very fresh. But already you could sense extraordinary potential. That team won Sevens World Champs after Sevens World Champs, but when it came to the Rio Olympics, they had to settle for silver. It was a tough experience. I was there at the Olympic Park that night in 2016, watching the match slip from their hands. They didn’t deserve to win but nonetheless it was very emotional. But you might also remember how it ended for the Sevens Sisters. Five years later at the Tokyo Olympics, they turned it around. Five years of graft, separation from their families, and Covid-19 disruption, and they did it. They were the darlings of New Zealand’s Olympic team, and they returned home with gold medals swinging from their necks. Sarah Hirini, Portia Woodman, and Ruby Tui will all start tonight. This game is different, I get that. England are the dominant team in World rugby. Their forwards are incredible. And most obviously, this is a game of fifteens, not rugby sevens. But finals are decided by moments. And perhaps even more valuable than form, is a team’s capacity to respond to pressure. This will be the biggest crowd to ever watch a women’s rugby match. And pressure does funny things. No matter what happens, nice to know that within that amazing Black Ferns squad, there are players who’ve been there and done that. I don’t need to state the obvious but I will anyway. Win or lose, the Black Ferns have been a joy to watch throughout this World Cup. Their humanity as individuals makes them far more fun to support than the men. They don’t hesitate to show emotion. For their sake, tonight, I really hope it’s joy.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Passenger – Cormac McCarthy Traversing the American South, from the garrulous bar rooms of New Orleans to an abandoned oil rig off the Florida coast, The Passenger is a breathtaking novel of morality and science, the legacy of sin, and the madness that is human consciousness. Friends, Lovers and the Big Terrible Thing – Matthew Perry 'Hi, my name is Matthew, although you may know me by another name. My friends call me Matty. And I should be dead.' So begins the riveting story of acclaimed actor Matthew Perry, taking us along on his journey from childhood ambition to fame to addiction and recovery in the aftermath of a life-threatening health scare. Before the frequent hospital visits and stints in rehab, there was five-year-old Matthew, who travelled from Montreal to Los Angeles, shuffling between his separated parents; fourteen-year-old Matthew, who was a nationally ranked tennis star in Canada; twenty-four-year-old Matthew, who nabbed a coveted role as a lead cast member on the talked-about pilot then called Friends Like Us. . . and so much more. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After a four-year wait, Mitch James has released his second studio album, patience. The album arrives half a decade after James' breakout single, 'No Fixed Abode’, and is the work of an artist who's emerged from various private and professional challenges with a greater sense of purpose. The 27-year-old James lives in the Auckland suburb of Mission Bay, but he created much of patience in Los Angeles with producer and former Tonight Alive guitarist, Whakaio Taahi. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

King Gizzard & the Lizard Wizard are an Australian rock band formed in 2010 in Melbourne, Victoria. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Twitter is a hot mess I just can't look away from As one employee asked - Has the Red Wedding begun yet? Reference to the massacre scene in Game of Thrones It's estimated that 50 percent of the company has been fired via email. Employees are now suing the company for violating labour laws which in California require notification of large layoffs. Those effected had their access to email and Slack cut off, and their laptops wiped. Then got an email, to their personal email address, with more details on "next steps". Elon Musk says Twitter has seen a drop in revenue since taking over, which makes sense because advertisers are worried about what content will be on the platform, or its stability, after layoffs. Twitter was also not a "must buy" from an advertising perspective, so is probably an easy decision to cut from media plans. Then there's what's next for the product - lots of rumours, lots of speculation, but apparently it launches Monday. There's a renewed call for a TikTok ban This time from a commissioner at the FCC (Federal Communications Commission). He had previously called for Google & Apple to ban the app from their app stores - but that wouldn't stop direct access because it's also available on the web. The FCC has no power to ban TikTok but is drawing parallels to Huawei or ZTE. What we know so far.. There is currently a negotiation in place between the US government's Committee on Foreign Investment in the USA. US user data is now sitting on Oracle powered servers in the US, but Bytedance hasn't committed to cutting off data flows to China. The concern is that China's government could use that data to track individuals - which could expose undisclosed military sites, real-time locations of US officials and their families, and more.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wingspan (the Bird of Prey Trust, located in Rotorua) has been an attraction for decades. These wonderful people have been looking after injured falcons, kahu and owls for decades. The way they re-habilitate these birds is by applying ancient falconry techniques which are thousands of years old. I am absolutely in love with this Trust for the amazing work and research they do and for the fact they use their knowledge and facilities for education of our younger and older generations. https://www.wingspan.co.nz/ Go and take a look when they train and fly their falcons at Wingspan; see how these agile birds become fitter and fitter through flight training. The coolest aspect of these flying spectacles is the “drone hunt”, whereby a falcon chases a polystyrene drone in the shape and colours of a Magpie (called a “ro-magpie”) It truly is an aerial battle between falcon and drone… ending in a real live falcon literally surfing a polystyrene drone to the ground Incredible! Now, falcons have not just been used to fly for fun (A big hobby in the Middle East!); initially these birds were used to hunt delectable prey, such as rabbits, pheasants, partridge and quail, to name a few targets. This was a food-gathering exercise! Falcons have also been used to scare away the small birds that love to eat ripening grapes in vineyards; and in some countries falcons are also used to remove birds from places where they can cause dramatic damage (like around runway airports) Rotorua airport is situated near the lake and quite a few birds tend to cross the runway at the most inappropriate times (when planes land or take off). That could cause “bird strike”. Something to be avoided at all cost. The Wingspan crew were asked what the options were to scare birds away from these areas and the crew came up with a plan to use the scary magpie drone, instead of a real live falcon. Falcons are not always reliable when it comes to cruising the open skies in a pre-planned pattern (they sometimes refuse to come back to the falconer’s glove!!) A ro-magpie drone, on the other hand, is something that can be operated from a safe distance and with reliability. And that large Black and White Magpie is a really dangerous predator, in the eyes of a small song bird, a plover or a duck See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Catherine Raynes has been reading Colditz by Ben Macintyre and Demon Copperhead by Barbara Kingsolver. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jordan Rondel has been in the news this week, standing up for the little guy against the big celebrity driven companies – calling out a cake company who released cake kits that look very similar to hers. There was also the added complication that these kits were associated with Chrissy Teigen – who Rondel had just collaborated with. Some are questioning whether all publicity is good publicity. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bob Campbell has been sipping on the Rapaura Springs 2022 Sauvignon Blanc to keep cool in this muggy weather for just $19.99 a bottle. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inside Man: David Tennant and Stanley Tucci star in this drama about an American death row prisoner with a sideline in solving mysteries, who helps a British journalist search for a friend who has suddenly disappeared (Netflix) Rogue Heroes: Inspired by true events, this British drama is set during the darkest days of World War II when a band of maverick soldiers banded together to form the world's greatest Special Forces unit, the SAS (TVNZ+). This Country: Two seasons of the BAFTA-winning mockumentary about the lives of cousins Kerry and Kurtan, as they grow up in a small village in the Cotswolds (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strawberry, radish and cucumber salad with mint dressing SERVES 4 PREP TIME: 15 MINUTES COOK TIME: NIL FOR THE DRESSING: 1 cup loosely packed fresh mint leaves, washed and dried ½ tsp honey 3½ tbsp freshly squeezed lemon juice 3½ tbsp extra virgin olive oil ¼ tsp salt FOR THE SALAD: 250g (1 punnet) strawberries, washed, hulled and sliced 1 medium-sized telegraph cucumber, peeled, deseeded and sliced 1 cup sliced radishes (about a small bunch, depending on size) 150g feta, crumbled small mint leaves, for garnishing Sweet, crunchy and refreshing, with creamy, salty crumbs of feta and a hint of heat from new-season radishes, this is a complete pick-me-up. It’s best enjoyed soon after making. Make the dressing first: put all the ingredients in a blender or small food processor and whiz until smooth. Taste for seasoning and set aside. Tumble the sliced strawberries, cucumber, radishes and crumbled feta into a serving bowl. Drizzle over the dressing and toss gently. Garnish with mint leaves and serve. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne joined Francesca Rudkin to talk about the decision by the Automobile Association to now attend to bike breakdowns as well as cars. This is much to do with the increasing number of e-bikes in use. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Car is the seventh album by Artic Monkeys, released just last week on the 21st of October. Estelle Clifford has been listening to the album and has a few thoughts to share. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Yardley has been exploring the streets of Genova. For more tips on tripping the treats of Genova, Mike's article is on the website. www.newstalkzb.co.nz/lifestyle LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mad Honey - Jodi Picoult “MAD HONEY has all of the things: alternating narratives, suspense, courtroom drama, and a love story at its core. It’s about authenticity, identity, and it explores the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become our true selves.”” Abyss - Max Hastings Bestselling author Max Hastings offers a welcome re-evaluation of one of the most gripping and tense international events in modern history—the Cuban Missile Crisis—providing a people-focused narrative that explores the attitudes and conduct of Russians, Cubans, Americans, and a terrified world that followed each moment as it unfolded. In The Abyss, Max Hastings turns his focus to one of the most terrifying events of the mid-twentieth century—the thirteen days in October 1962 when the world stood on the brink of nuclear war. Hastings looks at the conflict with fresh eyes, focusing on the people at the heart of the crisis—America President John F. Kennedy, Soviet First Secretary Nikita Khrushchev, Cuban Prime Minister Fidel Castro, and a host of their advisors. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainable fashion is more about how you WASH & CARE for your clothes than what you buy: + Most of us are washing our clothes wrong + When we wash our wardrobes properly, our clothes last longer, stay in better condition, we keep our favourite garments alive for longer, save water/energy, and buy less + Wash 30 degrees or lower + Spot wash + Front loader is generally more gentle on clothes than top loader + Don't do 'one wear, one wash' + Hang things out to air dry (Tim & I have a wooden rack where our washing basket used to be - we hang things there to air that can be worn another time) + Hand wash things that need it (you can do this in your shower!) + Spring/summer is a great time to re-adjust your washing habits + I personally spend more time caring for my clothes than at a mall - saves me money, it's my happy place (I know it's not for everyone), and I feel more loyal to the clothes I own Essentially, no one talks about how to wash our clothes enough. Even in the sustainability world! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Doctor Bryan Betty has the run down on Bell's Palsy and what is looks like. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A disastrous week for big tech Meta's, aka Facebook, shares fell off a cliff after posting a second straight quarterly decline. Revenue is down, and spending is off the charts. It's Realty Labs division has lost $9 billion so far this year trying to make the metaverse happen. It warned that Q4 isn't looking much better. Alphabet's, aka Google, stocks plunged 9% when they posted their earnings which showed year-over-year revenues sliding. They’re going to review every project the company has in an effort to cut cost. Elon's now in charge at Twitter The former CEO and CFO are out - Elon is now in charge. He tweeted the "bird is freed". Twitter has been delisted from the stock exchange as the $44 billion deal closed overnight. Ahead of that, he made an appearance at HQ, and even brought some Tesla engineers to spend time reviewing Twitter code. So what's next? We'll see. Musk has said that he's willing to reverse lifetime bans on people (read: Donald Trump). He wants to cut costs - he's looking at forcing employees to return to the office hoping it'll cause some to quit. He says they'll be looking at new ways to make money. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Designing your garden can be somewhat troublesome; You can buy all the book in the world (or in New Zealand) and that only helps to give you the idea of what kind of plant, shrub or tree you’d like the look of. But will they survive, after you’ve planted them? Do they “cope” with that spot and your local climate? This week I drove south, along the fabulous spine of the South Island. In Christchurch is was 24 degrees; Geraldine 21 degrees, Burkes Pass 17 and in the Lindis Pass (my Favourite pass of all!) Just 13 degrees. There were lots of tussocks (the character of that pass) but also lots of smaller Alpine plants. Imagine you’d like to plant some of those alpines in your garden, much lower to sea-level, you may find them to be pretty frost-tender. In fact, many alpine plants will be killed in a severe Inland Canterbury frost. Why? Because in the mountains the temperatures might be reallllly low, but the plants will certainly be protected by the layer of snow on top of them. Little tricks of the local conditions – something we need to learn. 1) Go and visit your local Botanic Gardens and see what survives in your neck of the woods. Honestly, those gardens are your local library for your local meteorological conditions. 2) A walk around your neighbourhood will also give you hints of what grows well 3) Now’s the time to visit the various Garden festivals around new Zealand: Hurunui 27-30 October Rural open gardens in the coolest foothills Taranaki 28 Oct to 2 Nov (Fabulous Garden fest with lots of open gardens for a week) Garden Marlborough (another famous long-lived event) 3-6 November Wairarapa Garden Tours 5-6 Nov Waiheke Garden fest 5-6 Nov Bay of Plenty Garden and Arts Festival – 16-20 Nov… Juuls and I go there every year – just because! No doubt there will be others - check your local papers!! LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

White Lotus: a new series of the American satire set in a tropical resort, which follows the exploits of various guests and employees over the span of a week (Neon, from 31 October). The Devil’s Hour: Peter Capaldi and Jessica Raine star in this British thriller about a woman who wakes up every night at exactly 3:33am, in the middle of the so-called devil's hour between 3am and 4am (Prime Video). The Playlist: In this fictionalized account about the early days of Spotify, a Swedish tech entrepreneur and his partners set out to revolutionize the music industry with a legal streaming platform (Netflix). LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is nearly here! …and with it comes outdoor entertaining, friends around for BBQs and of course, Christmas lunch or dinner. Impressing your guests in the kitchen doesn’t need to be a stressful affair – that's the ethos of sisters Rosa and Margo Flannagan a.k.a The Two Raw Sisters. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I’d forgotten how loud the subways are. The way they clatter and shudder and screech and smash as they pull into a big station. There are no niceties with the subway. No comforts. No safety barriers on the platforms. No fabric or armrests or cushions on the seats. It’s all utility. Grime and rats. Every car, designed to be hosed out with a water blaster at the end of a very long night. I love the way the delivery guys on their electric bikes ride wtih plastic bags on their hands to protect them from the cold. I love the way strangers will compliment strangers’ outfits.‘I love your coat!’‘Thank you!’I love the yelling, the hustling, the what-the-f**k-is-that-smell? The way you have to pull off to the side on the footpath. I love that everyone constantly jay-walks. I love the grandeur. The stone, the steel, the glass. The way you can be lost in Midtown in the shadows of all the skyscrapers then suddenly reach a little gap of streaming sunshine. Hallelujah! The pianist playing a baby grand in the park as auburn leaves swish all around him. Those little pockets of peace amidst the go-go-go. I love the old tenements. The way people are prepared to pay thousands of dollars a month for a scummy apartment up six flights of stairs with a bathroom in which you can only close the door if you sit on the toilet at an angle. I love the food. I. Love. The. Food. I don’t love the way that when you walk in the city, mysterious droplets of air conditioner fluid sometimes drop onto your face from high above. But I love that people don’t seem to care. And more than anything, I love that they’re from everywhere. Every colour. Every age. Every style. Every accent. Every language. Every job. Every dream. Humanity’s great smorgasbord. There cannot be a more intensely diverse place on this Earth. I love cities. You don’t hear that enough. Any schmuck can appreciate a mountain range and a waterfall but there is also real beauty in a good city. Sure it’s easy to be distracted by the filth and the clatter. But beyond that, there is elegance in communal living. The way people always use good public space. Usually when I explore a place for the first time, I don’t expect to return. Unless I have friends or family or a specific reason to visit in the future, I just figure I probably won’t be back. There are too many places to explore in this World. Why waste an opportunity by revisiting a place you already know? But there are a handful of exceptions to the rule, a handful of cities, that are just different. They are just so very alive, oscillating and changing in a way that makes it refreshing to return time and again. And for me at least, there’s one city at the top of the heap. New York. It’s not a great city. It’s the great city.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spicy, buttery, crispy . . . they’ve got it all going on. I first fell in love with spicy wings over 30 years ago whilst on a working holiday in USA. They were a revelation to me — devastatingly spicy but tempered by a cooling sour cream sauce for dipping the wings into. Serves one 4 free-range whole chicken wings, or use 8 nibbles salt oil for baking juice of 1 lemon 1 tablespoon chilli sauce - I use tabasco ½ teaspoon smoked paprika ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper 3 tablespoons melted butter ¼ cup sour cream 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan or frozen blue cheese (see note) Preheat the oven to 220°C. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Using kitchen shears, cut between the joint of the wings to produce a drumette and a wingette (I may have made that word up, winging it, as it were, but I’m sticking with it) if using whole wings. Place the chicken pieces on the lined baking tray and liberally season with salt. Drizzle with oil and place in the oven to bake until cooked through and golden, about 25–30 minutes. In a saucepan, whisk together the lemon juice, chilli sauce, paprika and cayenne pepper. Bring to a simmer over a medium heat. Whisk in the melted butter and return to a simmer until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove the chicken from the oven and toss in the hot sauce. Season. Combine sour cream and cheese in a small bowl. Dip wings into the cooling sour cream sauce and eat. Note: Freezing blue cheese makes it super easy to grate LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bros Bobby is a neurotic podcast host who's happy to go on Tinder dates and content not to have a serious relationship. That all changes when he meets Aaron, an equally detached lawyer who likes to play the field. Repeatedly drawn to each other, both men begin to show their vulnerable sides as their undeniable attraction turns into something resembling a commitment. The Woman King In the 1800s, a group of all-female warriors protects the African kingdom of Dahomey with skills and fierceness unlike anything the world has ever seen. Faced with a new threat, Gen. Nanisca trains the next generation of recruits to fight against a foreign enemy that's determined to destroy their way of life. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne has managed to track down his journalism class from 1970, and this weekend the group is having a reunion. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Midnights is the upcoming tenth studio album by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift, set for release on October 21, 2022, via Republic Records. Announced at the 2022 MTV Video Music Awards, the album marks Swift's first body of new work since her ninth studio album, Evermore. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Boys from Biloxi - John Grisham The #1 New York Times bestselling author returns to Mississippi with the riveting story of two sons of immigrant families who grow up as friends, but ultimately find themselves on opposite sides of the law. Grisham’s trademark twists and turns will keep you tearing through the pages until the stunning conclusion. I'm Glad my Mon Died - Jeanette McCurdy A heartbreaking and hilarious memoir by iCarly and Sam & Cat star Jennette McCurdy about her struggles as a former child actor—including eating disorders, addiction, and a complicated relationship with her overbearing mother—and how she retook control of her life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Resident traveller Mike Yardley has been visiting Liechtenstein. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Steven Dromgool has some relationship advice around what are known as 'apology languages'. You can find out about your apology language with a quiz here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The next lesson in language and definitions: Native – Endemic – Beneficial – Pest Remember: a Native organism is firmly established in NZ; it’s origin could be from overseas (or an ancient continent like Gondwanaland), but it got here, somehow, on its own accord (flying, drifting on logs, floating in the air, etc) without assistance from humans (luggage, commercial goods, planes, boats, smuggled, imported, etc). When I work with Teachers (and kids) at schools (Mazda’s Treemendous Education Program; Blake Inspire; Field-Based STEM), I often analyse this definition of native species. So: I ask the question: “What is the latest or newest native bird of prey in New Zealand?” Examples: Silvereyes (white-eyes, Wax-eyes) established here in the 1830s. The first recorded nesting/breeding took place in 1832. Not many people know that, especially since these birds are very numerous in Aotearoa. The Māori name is “Tauhou”, which means stranger or new-comer This sentinel tree can tell an enormous number of stories – a serious curriculum full of nature knowledge. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mortgages are the story of the week – that inflation reading has pushed up fixed term interest rates for the first time in a while, when most thought that fixed term rates had peaked. Whether it’s hit you yet or not, interest is soon going to be taking a bigger chunk of your income – so what should you be doing to ensure you not only continue to survive, but continue to make progress while interest rates are rising? Rather than panicking about what lies ahead, what do you need to be thinking about with your mortgage in conditions like these? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Elon's bold plan to fire 75% of Twitter's staff The Washington Post reports that's his message to investors as he secures funding to buy Twitter before October 28. He wants to stack rank employees and cut the bottom. The company had planned to cut 25% of its staff before Elon's bid, but this is three times that already large number. What would it mean? Probably less of a focus on moderation, trust, safety and security? Maybe less stability of the service too? Dig around in your drawers, because an original iPhone just fetched $40,000 at auction See mum, this is why you keep the packaging! Like a relic frozen in time since 2007, it was in its original packaging, unopened, and, at the time, was worth $599. It sold for 65x that! It was interesting comparing the price to today. $599 in 2007 would be $857 in today's US dollar. Today an iPhone 14 retails for $799. So it's 'cheaper' than it was at launch. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace Tame has been called many things. Unstoppable, an inspiration, strong – and of all things, rude. You might recognise Grace after she was named Australian of the Year 2021 for her fierce advocation and dedication to helping survivors of child sexual abuse. This time, Grace is telling it like it is in her own words with her memoir just released called the Ninth Life of a Diamond Miner. Grace Tame joined Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Somewhere Boy: An emotional British drama about Danny, who has lived his life locked at home with his father after the death of his mother. But when Danny turns 18, his whole world explodes in an instant, and he has to come to terms with a new world he never knew existed (TVNZ+). Gangs of London: A new season of the gritty drama about the international gangs that control the city of London, as they struggle to fill the power vacuum created when the head of London's most powerful crime family is assassinated (Neon). From Scratch: Zoe Saldana stars in this American drama as an American student studying in Italy, who meets and falls in love with Lino, a Sicilian chef. When Lino faces health issues and the couple's future is threatened, the two families come together (Netflix). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coffee and walnuts are old friends and in these cute little cakes maple syrup adds an extra dimension. Makes 8 small cakes or 10-12 muffins 100g soft butter 2/3 cup brown sugar, loosely packed (about 100g) 3 eggs 50g yoghurt or sour cream 100g walnuts, chopped + extra pieces to garnish 1 ½ cups plain flour (or 1 ¼ cups GF flour) 3 tsp baking powder 3 tsp espresso powder or 2 tsp instant coffee 1-2 tbsps milk ¼ cup maple syrup Icing: 100g cream cheese 2 tbsps sour cream ½ cup brown sugar 4 heaped tbsps icing sugar Preheat oven to 180 C. Grease and flour an 8-hole mini-cake tin or 12 hole muffin tray. In a bowl, beat the butter and brown sugar until it is creamed, then beat in the eggs one at a time. Continue mixing until light and fluffy. Stir in the yoghurt or sour cream and half the walnuts until just combined. Stir in the flour, baking powder and coffee and mix until combined. Add enough milk to get a dropping consistency. Spoon cake batter into tins and cook for 20-25 minutes until risen and a skewer inserted comes out clean. Leave for 5 minutes before turning out to cool. Toast the remaining walnuts and drizzle over maple syrup to coat. Briefly simmer then set aside to cool. Make the icing by beating all ingredients together until smooth. Ice each cake and garnish with cooled maple walnut pieces. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dame Valerie doco This 90’ feature documentary named More than Gold is the candid and inspirational story of fivetime Olympian, double Olympic gold medallist, Tongan/New Zealander Dame Valerie Adams; one of the world’s most celebrated athletes. It is also the story of a mother, a daughter, a sister, and a survivor. At a time when sportswomen globally are struggling with pressures beyond the field of play Dame Valerie Adams is a beacon of hope. Competing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games required all the shotputter’s determination and courage. At 36, following two major surgeries and the birth of her children, she was considered an ‘older’ athlete. Struggling to balance her role as a mum with her job as an elite sportsperson, Valerie was forced to navigate emotions every mother will identify with. Mrs Harris Goes to Paris In 1950s London, a widowed cleaning lady falls madly in love with a couture Dior dress, deciding she must have one of her own. After working to raise the funds to pursue her dream, she embarks on an adventure to Paris that will change not only her own outlook -- but the very future of the House of Dior. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne is most nervous about the university exams starting next week, yet he isn't sitting any. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.