Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Allyson Gofton is the face of wholesome, heartwarming Kiwi home cooking.  She was the face of 'Food in a Minute', has written several cookbooks, and her recipes and advice have helped many households get food on the table.  Her newest cookbook, 'Give', is on shelves now, and this one's not just designed to help Kiwis, but also raise money for Breast Cancer Cure research.  The idea for the book came to Gofton when she was walking her dog one day, and came across a Dragon Boating competition, filled entirely with breast cancer survivors.  "I looked at these women, and I was filled with joy ... I thought, surely the person that was Allyson Gofton, that girl that wrote all the cookbooks, who's had some time out, surely, I could do something to give back," Gofton told Jack Tame.  "I thought, surely that girl that was supported by New Zealand women could do something to give back."  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With Māori Language Week just over the horizon, Kevin Milne is thinking about just how far broadcasters have come.  He took Jack Tame back to NZBC in 1971, his first year in radio, and the job he was assigned to compile the weekly radio news in te reo.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Oasis: Don't Look Back In Anger' charts the reunion of Liam and Noel Gallagher for their 2025 tour.   It's filled with rare footage and untold stories, chronicling the band's journey from the streets of Manchester to global rock stardom.   Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the documentary.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen   Extrasensory perception. The Gift. A Sixth Sense. Or something else….  In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history.  Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet.  Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.     The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion (Vol. 1) by Beth Brower   'I've arrived in London without incident. There are few triumphs in my recent life, but I count this as one. My existence of the last three years has been nothing but incident.'   The year is 1883 and Emma M. Lion has returned to her London neighbourhood of St. Crispian's. But Emma's plans for a charmed and studious life are sabotaged by her eccentric Cousin Archibald, her formidable Aunt Eugenia, and the slightly odd denizens of St. Crispian's.   Emma M. Lion offers up her Unselected Journals, however self-incriminating they may be. Armed with wit and a sideways amusement, Emma documents the curious realities of her life at Lapis Lazuli House.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Straddling the US-Canadian border, crowned by the Rainbow Bridge, Niagara Falls is a striking destination, dishing up a heady mix of thundering natural wonder and vibrant parklands. Yes, there’s plenty of tourist tat clustered around both sides of the border, from faded casinos and wax museums to Hershey World and the Fudge Factory, but it’s nature that really holds court here. The Niagara River, and the entire Great Lakes Basin of which it is a part, is a legacy of the last Ice Age, connecting Lake Erie with Lake Ontario. While some water is annually replenished from rainfall and snow melt, a significant proportion is “fossil water”, leftover from the melting ice sheets 10,000 years ago." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kate Hall joined Jack Tame to provide an update on how her Suburban Homestead Project has been coming along.  What is the Suburban Homestead Project?   We’re transforming our small suburban Auckland property using homesteading and permaculture principles, showing that you don’t need a rural lifestyle block to grow food, produce more yourself and work more closely with nature.   What we've done:   Hot water heat pump:   We’ve recently replaced our old hot water system with a Reclaim CO₂ hot water heat pump. We’re already seeing a significant reduction in our hot water energy use/bill –  around 64% less electricity used!   Turning an underused space into a productive garden:   We’re repurposing old timber posts (from Repost) that previously had a life in vineyards to create new garden edging in a darker, previously underutilised part of our section. The goal is a productive space filled with things our children will enjoy, including fruit trees, and somewhere we'll eventually bury both babies’ placentas.   Designing with nature, not against it:   We’re working with Treeborn to understand what will actually thrive in that space, including documenting sunlight at different times of day. It’s a good example of permaculture thinking: observing light, wind, water, and conditions first, then choosing plants and designing around what nature is already doing.     LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is earwax?   Earwax: a natural substance produced in the ear canal.   It contains oils, dead skin cells, and tiny particles.   Earwax protects the ear: traps dust, germs, and keeps the skin moist.   It's naturally self-cleaning: wax usually moves out on its own.   Earwax is normal – it does not mean your ears are dirty!    Why does earwax sometimes cause problems?   When too much wax builds up, it can become hard and impact.   Some people are more prone due to narrow ear canals, excess hair, or hearing aids   Cotton buds push wax deeper into the ear and irritate and damage the ear canal – do not use them.    How do we know if we have an earwax problem?   A blocked or full feeling in the ear or hearing being muffled or reduced.   Sometimes it can cause ringing (tinnitus), dizziness, or slight discomfort.   Remember: a blocked ear isn't always wax, infection can cause similar symptoms.     How do we treat earwax?   Talk to your doctor or nurse if your ear feels blocked, so they can examine the ear canal.   Ear drops can soften the wax, allowing it to come out naturally. Olive oil often used.     If it doesn't clear, your doctor or nurse can remove using ear suction or irrigation.   Make sure you see your doctor for severe pain, discharge, bleeding, sudden hearing loss, or persistent dizziness. Remember: earwax is normal, it protects the ear, we can’t prevent it, and never use cotton buds in the ear!    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday September 12th 2026, Food In A Minute legend Allyson Gofton joins the show to talk about her beautiful new cookbook, 'Give.  Jack wonders if the world will eventually end at the hands of AI.  Nadia Lim serves up a Rhubarb, Raspberry, and Ginger Strudel Braid that will impress your guests.   We hear all about the new foldable Apple iPhone Duo from our techxpert Paul Stenhouse.  And how can you maximise space at your suburban property? Sustainability expert Kate Hall has some great suggestions for your next home project.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago, we discussed the story of one of those beautiful centipedes captured by a young lady (Raine). A lovely 5 centimetre long body with long legs and fast movement – a beauty!   I thought it might be prudent to tell the story of our native giant centipede, often found at night in the North Island. In Latin the name means “one hundred legs”, but they ain’t got that many!   Usually, they have somewhere around 23 pairs of legs... or 21 pairs, or 25 pairs, or 27 pairs – always an odd number of pairs of legs (never an even number – why? Who knows!).  The front pair of legs is modified into hollow fangs with which they bite and administer poison to subdue or kill prey.   That poison also acts as a digestive juice: they inject it into prey, and it starts to dissolve the inner structure of the insect/prey so that after half an hour all the centipede needs to do is suck the dissolved innards of the prey up like a soup!   So in reality, the centipede has an external stomach in the form of that poison that pre-digests the food in the prey’s own body!   The poison is a nasty neurotoxin that really causes quite a bit of damage to humans too – I'd know! I’ve been bitten and it caused a 2.5-hour paralysis in my right arm and hand – I couldn’t write for a few hours! Then there was an itch for weeks and weeks and weeks. Some big centipedes can be really dangerous, but I don’t think there are any cases of fatalities…   But it must have been close, every now and then…   Centipedes are really fast hunters; they have amazing long rear legs that grab anything that annoys them – I can show you how to “stroke” a centipede and in which direction so you don’t end up caught in those hind legs, which means an almost certain bite!   Each body segment has its own set of “brains” or neurological centre. That regulates the leg movement and coordinates the magical motion they display.   They usually crawl into nice dark and moist places, because their skin is relatively thin and they dry out very quickly.   When a mother has eggs, she is very dedicated and looks after them for weeks and weeks – almost like an incubating mother hen. She also licks the eggs constantly to keep them moist and clean of bacteria. There is evidence that her excretion has some very powerful anti-bacterial and anti-microbial compounds in it, that could be very useful for future human medicine!  Even these scary centipedes need protection, because they may contribute to our future techniques in human medicine.   Look after all these creatures on our (Animal) Planet!  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Apple’s iPhone Duo has been revealed   The Apple fan boys are fanboying. My X feed has been lit up with excitement. The dual app view has already turned into a meme. The magic opening and closing animation which seamlessly transitions between the open and closed views has already been recreated on Androids and laptops. The developers are nervous about the work ahead designing for all its new form factors. That animation and the smart way they’ve reconfigured the UI shows Apple has done the foldable better than any of the others in the market. But it’s funny because the actual folding screen is made by Samsung.    It will be the hottest status symbol around.    Some other Apple innovation caught my eye though...   Apple has found a way to verify that a photo was taken on an iPhone. In the age of AI and misinformation, verification is going to be key. How do you know that photo was actually real? Apple will now take a copy of the photo, along with the sensor data and “sign” that as a reference image unable to be edited. They’re thinking of it like a digital negative. It’s a great addition and here’s hoping we get more of this type of thing from other phone and camera makers.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Slow Horses   Season 6 follows Diana Taverner as she embroils the dysfunctional MI5 agents of Slough House in a high-stakes game of retaliation and revenge, forcing them on the run. Available this Wednesday 16th September (Apple TV).     Taskmaster NZ Season 7  Taskmaster New Zealand is back for its seventh season with its most star-studded cast yet. Premiering on September 14th, Jeremy Wells returns as the Taskmaster and comedian Paul Williams returns as the Taskmaster's assistant. This season's contestants are Rose Matafeo, Dave Fane, Rhys Mathewson, Morgana O'Reilly, and Hoani Hotene (TVNZ 2 and TVNZ+).    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A beautifully braided pastry, bursting with tart rhubarb, juicy raspberries and warming ginger, all wrapped in golden puff pastry with a sweet almond crunch.    It’s an eye-catching dessert or morning tea treat that’s easier to make than it looks. Serve it slightly warm with a scoop of ice cream, a dollop of crème fraîche, or thick yoghurt for a real treat.   Serves 6–8   Prep time: 20 minutes   Cook time: 35 minutes     Ingredients   400g rhubarb, trimmed and cut into 2.5cm pieces   150g fresh raspberries (or frozen)   4–5 Tablespoons sugar, to taste    Zest of 1⁄2 lemon   1 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger   1 teaspoon cornflour (to soak up juices)   1⁄2 teaspoon ground cinnamon   1 large sheet puff pastry (about 25–30cm wide x 35–40cm long), kept cold (Note: if you use the Paneton brand, it conveniently comes in this size)   1 free-range egg   1 Tablespoon milk, for brushing   1–2 Tablespoons raw sugar, for sprinkling   small handful sliced or slivered almonds, for topping   TO SERVE: ice cream, crème fraîche, or yoghurt      Method  Preheat oven to 200°C. In a large bowl, gently toss together the rhubarb, raspberries, sugar, lemon zest, grated ginger, cornflour, cinnamon and a pinch of salt.   Lay the cold sheet of puff pastry on a baking tray lined with baking paper. Spoon the fruit mixture lengthwise down the centre of the pastry, leaving a 6–8cm gap at the top and bottom.   To braid the pastry, use a sharp knife to cut diagonal slits about 2.5cmapart on each side of the pastry, leaving a 1–2cm gap on either side of the filling. Starting at the top, fold the pastry strips over the filling, alternating sides to create a braid pattern. Gently stretch the strips as you braid and tuck the ends underneath to snuggly encase the filling.   Whisk together the egg and milk, then brush the braid with the egg wash. Sprinkle over raw sugar and sliced almonds.    Bake for 35 minutes, or until the pastry is golden brown and crisp, and the filling is bubbling slightly at the seams. Allow to cool for at least 10–15minutes before slicing.   Serve warm or at room temperature with ice cream, crème fraîche, or yoghurt.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Runner  A former soldier and his unlikely partner become the targets of a ruthless cartel while racing to complete a critical medical delivery and save the life of a little girl.     Practical Magic 2   Practical Magic 2 returns to a world steeped in moonlit mischief and powerful ancestral magic, as the Owens sisters must confront the dark curse that threatens to unravel their family once and for all in a must-see cinematic event of fun, magic and mayhem.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We like to mix things up on a Saturday morning. Bit of this bit of that.  So, in the interest of variety, having recently mused over the merits of different apple varieties and the joys of my family’s fabric shaver, I’ve got a different question for you this morning:  How do you think it all ends?  Heavy stuff for a Saturday morning, I know. But entertain it for a second. Not just how it ends for you or me, how it ends for all of us. Humans. People. The species. Will there ever be a day when homosapiens become no-mosapiens?  Probably. I reckon so. Seems likelier than not, right? Depending on how you do the sums, they reckon the intensity of the sun will make it impossible for Earth to hold onto liquid oceans in a billion years or so. It’s a very literal deadline. If we are to survive, presumably well before the point at which the last ocean disappears, we’d have to have expanded our reach further throughout the cosmos.  And while, sure, maybe an external mass extinction event outside of our control will wipe us out well before then —a meteor to make the dinosaurs’ one look like a mere pebble plopping in a pond— it’s hard not to escape the sense that for all of our brilliance, the end of our species is perhaps just as likely to be brought about with that most human of phenomena: hubris.    An AI researcher named Evan Hubinger quit Anthropic, one of the world’s frontier AI companies this week in dramatic fashion. He issued a public statement saying the top companies were being too reckless, and in which he warned there is a greater than 10% chance the technology could “kill all humans” within the next decade.  How? He was asked.  Who knows? He said. Could be a novel bioweapon. Could be a huge strike on globally important infrastructure. The problem is we’d have little notice, and potentially even less capacity to stop it once it began.  For anyone who geeks out on this stuff, it was a frightening conclusion to a pretty crazy couple of months. Only last week, with the release of independent reports into the incident, was the public properly appraised of the true scale of OpenAI’s recent Hugging Face hack, the thousands of autonomous AI agents which worked together, independently communicated with each other, roamed the internet and hacked an independent platform outside of human control.  There's a term you hear a lot with AI now: recursive self-improvement. In simple terms it means the big companies are increasingly using AI to build AI. They can theoretically hit go and then leave it to make itself. But if we are already at a point where their systems are going rogue, where might the recursively improved systems be a few years from now?  Hubinger’s comments appeared to divide the AI community. Some fellow researchers endorsed his existential concerns. Elon Musk dismissed them. Others suggested that going public and putting a number and a timeline on existential risk was exactly the sort of cynical play a big AI company might make if it was trying to impress investors about the strength of its technology.  Personally, as much as I find the technology absolutely fascinating, I don’t feel sufficiently qualified to make a judgement. Besides, is a ten percent risk actually any worse than a one percent risk? Or a one-in-one-thousand risk? Still seems pretty risky, given the stakes!  So all I’d say is in the interests of our continued existence, of seeing our children grow up, of seeing a second Auckland Harbour Crossing completed in the year 2084, I think it’s best we err on the side of imagining what might happen if we’re wrong.  If we end up catastrophising the technology and we’re wrong, it is all just a marketing play, maybe we’ll inadvertently mint a few more Silicon Valley billionaires.  But if we dismiss the warnings, the risk, refuse to slow down or regulate or control the technology’s development in some kind of meaningful way, and we’re wrong…  Well… I’m tempted to put a tweak on that brilliant quote.  The last thing we shall hear before the universal destruction is an expert on Twitter saying it's impossible. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Running a marathon is a task on many people's bucket lists – whether that be a half or a full.  Some even dedicate themselves to ultramarathons – running 60 kilometres every day for 28 days. But most people don't run it in the coldest, windiest, and driest desert on Earth, enduring sub-zero temperatures and 100 kilometre winds.   Donna Urquhart, a pain doctor, undertook that exact Herculean task, picking up a Guiness World Record for her efforts and has written a book about it – 'Life Without Limits'.   She told Jack Tame the idea came about in 2021, when she was watching a video podcast in which Australian polar explorer Eric Phillips was talking about his expeditions in Antarctica.  "I was just captivated by listening to him and also watching some of the footage," Urquhart explained.   "I've always wanted to go on a big adventure ... I thought, oh wow, I wonder if you can run in Antarctica, and if so how far can we go? And that was the beginning."  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's Father's Day this weekend, and Kevin Milne can spy the perfect gift.  Between the Warriors, Black Ferns, and the All Blacks, there'll be rugby on the screen from 5pm this afternoon till 3am tomorrow.  So if you're looking for a gift, Kevin thinks just letting your dad sit or lie in front of the TV, watching back to back sport, is a pretty good option.   LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Reb Fountain's taken a turn for the personal in her highly anticipated new album.  'Water For Gasoline' was written and recorded in the musician's own garage studio this year, the songs record live, and most in a single take.   Chris Schulz told Jack Tame there's a rawness and intimacy to the album, the music sounding warm and inviting.  He described it as her best album yet.  LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It’s the city that produced Joni Mitchell, The Weeknd, and… Justin Bieber. And it was home to Meghan Markle, prior to her royal life, while filming Suits – but don’t hold that against them. Nestled along the shores of Lake Ontario —or should that be Lake America?— the beautiful, shimmering metropolis of Toronto is Canada’s answer to New York City. Undeniably cosmopolitan, it’s the vast forest of gleaming, glassy skyscrapers that constantly impel you to look up, when you’re strolling the streets. I’d heard mixed reviews about Toronto, or Toronno as the locals insist on calling it, but despite its big-city stripes, there’s a friendliness and charm more accustomed to a small town." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Big Little Truths by Liane Moriarty   After all their big little lies, what happens next? The gang is back. Madeline is planning her 50th birthday party. Jane is happily married to Tom (isn't she?).  Celeste is haunted by memories of her dead husband, and troubled by her very alive mother-in-law. The kids are no longer kids. And things are falling apart. It's been ten years since Perry Wright fell from a balcony at the Pirriwee High trivia night but best friends Madeline, Celeste and Jane are still shadowed by his death. When an anonymous package containing a severed finger arrives at the school, and a man in a green Volvo is seen lurking around the kids, everyone is uneasy.  Is the finger pointing to a mystery, or even murder? A lie masquerading as the truth? Or a secret about to blow up their lives? What is clear is that the truth will always hurt someone.     We Chase Shadows by Richard Osman   In the Italian hills, a body is found on the steps of a private villa at sunrise. Our mis-matched detective trio Amy, Rose and Steve return, in pursuit of an elusive and ruthless killer. Between Italy and Palm Springs, via Barcelona and Steve's sleepy village pub, they uncover an impossible case where it seems that everyone is hiding something. . .    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday September 5 2026, Donna Urquhart, an Ultramarathon runner who completed 1402km over 28 days in Antarctica, joined to tell us about her expedition.  Jack has some thoughts about the New Zealand/Australia flag debacle...  Chef Nici Wickes has a smashing pancakes recipe for us – perfect for Father's Day.  We get the low down on the new 'Untold RayGun: Breaking Badly' documentary on Netflix from our TV expert Karl Puschmann.  And do you suffer from 'Leisure Guilt'? Clinical Psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland is here to help you out.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you suffer from “Leisure Guilt”?   It's a new term coming out of the United States, and refers to people who feel guilty or uneasy about spending time on leisure rather than on something perceived as productive.   In a US survey, 64% of people reported having experienced leisure guilt at some point.   In the daily-life study, participants experienced leisure guilt during roughly one in every seven leisure activities.   People high in leisure guilt enjoyed their leisure time less, spent slightly less time in leisure activities, and felt less happy afterwards. For some, they even felt worse after doing something relaxing than when they were doing work or something seen as productive.   Doing leisure activities with other people was linked with less leisure guilt.  The findings suggest that the problem is not necessarily a lack of leisure time. Rather, some people struggle to psychologically "permit" themselves to enjoy leisure. As a result, leisure becomes contaminated by productivity concerns, reducing its restorative value.   This may help explain why some people:   Struggle to disconnect from work   Feel anxious during holidays   Continue checking emails during time off   Feel restless or guilty when relaxing   If that’s you there could be some ways to reduce your sense of guilt:   Reframe leisure as an investment, not an indulgence – having leisure time will help you be more productive in the future.   Frame leave as essential recovery rather than a reward.  Establish some rituals at the end of the day or week to demonstrate to yourself that you’ve worked hard and deserve the time off.   Do things with other people as it’s associated with less guilt.  It's ultimately helpful to try and move your value of yourself away from always being linked with how much you produce. Find other meaning in your life alongside your work.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Gardeners are slowly getting more and more active, planting their specimens for the coming spring and summer (and I am not talking about Cosmic Crisp Apples!).  Anything that would excite gardeners is just about ready to be given a spot: crops, fruit trees, flowers, ground covers – you’ll know what a garden looks like.   So far, so good…  But from now on it pays to check the garden regularly – some pests are getting ready to find your precious plants as they develop through spring.   The hardest plant pests to control are the scale insects, whitefly, mealybugs, and such sucking sap-sucking critters. They have a habit of hiding in nooks and crannies and will become active when spring creates warmer conditions.   Scale Insects with ants   Scales are insects that create themselves a waterproof and often hard cap. Some are “soft” scales, but are still well-protected. Females lay their eggs under that cap and the larvae (babies) hatch and leave their protected “home” to settle somewhere on your plants. Newly hatched babies have legs and can walk and disperse.   Scale Insects sink their long tubular sucking tube into the phloem of the leaf/stem/twig/bark and suck the sweet sap, leaving “Honeydew”. This is harvested by bees, ants, and wasps – a dead give-away of sucking bugs being active on your plants   Scale Insects with Mealybugs in front   Mealybugs have a similar but white waxy “meal” over the top of their body (waterproof too!). They remain mobile throughout their life, though.  Whiteflies laying eggs (left) and a close up of an adult whitefly (right).   Whiteflies often occur in large (white) numbers on infested plants – you can’t miss them despite their small sizes.  Control for these three groups:   Oil sprays – stuff like Conqueror Oil, mixed in water. The oil will creep under the cap and destroy the scale-mealy-whiteflies. If you add an insecticide, it will drag the stuff onto their bodies even quicker.  But there comes the crucial part: repeat sprays! Eggs are not killed by the oil and insecticides, so you’ll need to spray again to get the vulnerable young scales and mealybugs before they settle and take over.   You have to do at least three oil sprays, about a month apart. The reason is that these pest insects are more-or-less waterproof, so any water-based insecticides would run off them like water off a duck’s back.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stonecroft Gewürztraminer 2025, Gimblett Gravels, Hawke's Bay.   RRP from $29.00   Gewürztraminer: Backwards, this grape reveals its origins in three words: er= from; tramin (Italy) = the original home; gewurz = herbaceous or spicy.  The wine:   An elegant bouquet of white fleshed fruits from pear to apple, quince to white apricot. As the wine touches the palate, the textures of satin and crème fraîche are contrasted by the acid line – fine fruit tannins with a gentle push of phenolics. Core fruit flavours that reflect the bouquet are persistent and ripe. Delicious and fresh, a subtle-elegant expression.     The food:   Because this is a drier style it works surprisingly well with most fish dishes, pastas with a touch of cream, and seafood like salmon. Think creamy or oily food – satin-cream textured wine. Also good with semi-hard to hard cheeses.   Definitively not good with spicy foods – this wine is not sweet enough for that.    The season:   The 2025 harvest in Hawke’s Bay is one to remember because of its warm, dry spring, excellent flowering overall, and an early start to the growing season. While summer was a bit cooler than a traditional Kiwi summer, the fruit developed well and evenly overall. It also led to one of the earliest harvests for some. The quality of the grapes ranges from very good to outstanding.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Don't think the weather forecast is accurate? Google says it's given it an upgrade   Google's DeepMind has released their latest weather forecast model that has been improved thanks to AI.    Using more real-time data than traditional forecasts (and their own previous models), WeatherNext 3 uses hourly satellite data to makes its predictions. They can create these hourly forecasts now at a 5-kilometer resolution and take into account the local landscape... so if you're in a valley, up a mountain, etc. This new model is five times more detailed than WeatherNext 2, which also only updated four times a day. They claim forecasts are up to 50% more accurate.   To explore their full capabilities, search for "google weather lab" – there is a global rain radar, wind, and temperature maps. They're doing 15 day weather forecasts, broken down hour by hour. Or just use Google to search for the weather where you are – it's already been added globally to Google Search, Gemini, and more.      The new era of Apple is here   September 1st saw John Ternus take over as CEO. The geeks are excited because John is a hardware guy, so they think there'll be a lot more focus on innovation. The things released next week at the 'Surprise and Shine' event will be things his team has designed and developed (but under Tim Cook) and according to reporting at Bloomberg, they were a key reason why Cook stepped away ahead of the launch – to give him the best foot forward.   We're expecting a folding iPhone (possibly called the iPhone Ultra - I personally hope they give it a new name like iFold to create something totally new, but who knows) but don't expect it to be cheap, as it's believed to start at US$2,000, and a touch screen MacBook.   And on Thursday NZT, we'll see it revealed in a live Apple event, rather than the pre-recorded ones that started during the pandemic.      LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Untold Raygun: Breaking Badly  From Australian academic to global meme, breakdancer "Raygun" recounts her offbeat path to the Olympic stage — and the infamy that followed (Netflix).     Urzila    Drop into the comedic chaos of Urzila Carlson as she ricochets between live stand-up and bombastic sketches. The whole thing crackles with a mischief that's bold, boisterous, and unmistakably Urzila (Neon).    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This one is for all those sweet-loving fathers out there. Is there anything better than banana and pancakes? Yes, add a sprinkle of pecan maple crunch and dollops of sour cream which perfectly offsets the sweetness – delish!     Serves 4      Pancakes   Ingredients   ¾ cup milk + extra as needed    Squeeze of lemon juice   2 tbsp butter, melted   1 large egg, beaten   1 cup plain flour, sifted   2 tsps. white sugar   2 tsp baking powder   ½ tsp baking soda   Pinch of salt   Butter for cooking & serving   3 bananas, each cut into 4 pieces on the diagonal    Dollops of sour cream to serve    Pecan maple crunch (see below)   Maple syrup to serve       Method   In a jug, add the lemon juice to the milk. Leave it to sit for a few minutes, then whisk in the melted butter and beaten egg.    Combine flour, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt into a bowl and mix well. Pour in the milk mixture and stir until mostly incorporated. Don’t over mix. The batter should be thick and a little lumpy, but without any visible flour.   Set the batter aside for 5-10 minutes. Thin with a little more milk if it’s too stiff after resting.   Ladle in ¼ cup of batter at a time into the pan so that you get evenly sized pancakes. Cook until the first side is golden brown, or until the top surface forms bubbles that burst, then flip gently and cook for 3-4 minutes more. Adjust heat accordingly. Repeat with remaining batter. Keep pancakes warm while you cook the bananas.    Run a dab of butter around the pan to lightly grease. Cook the bananas for a few minutes without disturbing until caramelised and starting to soften.    To serve, place two pancakes on each plate. Top with a decent dollop of sour cream, banana, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a sprinkle of pecan maple crunch. Eat up!       Pecan Maple Crunch   Ingredients   2 heaped tbsps. brown sugar   1 tablespoon maple syrup   1 tbsp butter    ½ cup pecans, roughly chopped   Pinch sea salt      Method  Melt the sugar in a pan with maple syrup and cook on a medium heat for one minute.  Add butter, pecans, and salt and cook for 3-4 minutes.   Pour out onto a piece of baking paper (it should spread on its own, if not give it some help), sprinkle with salt and place in freezer to set. Chop up to serve.     LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mayday   When a U.S. Navy pilot on a top-secret mission during the Cold War gets trapped behind enemy lines, his only chance at survival is to form an alliance with an eccentric ex-KGB agent.     The Whisper Man   When his young son vanishes, a widower enlists help from his estranged father, a retired detective who put away the serial killer now linked to the case.    LISTEN ABOVE   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At first glance, it was a relatively easy mistake to make.    Whoever was charged with setting up the dramatic display of flags outside Australia’s parliament had to hoist a total of 44 banners in place.   The grand presentation on Capital Hill was supposed to be honouring the 125th anniversary of the first occasion on which Australia’s flag was flown. The irony? Whoever was on hoisting duty accidentally included two New Zealand flags, by mistake.   And while we might scoff and write it off as the Aussies not understanding the difference between red and white or the difference between four and six, a more generous read of the situation will understand how someone in a rush might accidentally confuse the two and hoist the wrong flag, even outside their own parliament.   It's ten years since John Key’s flag referendum. A decade on, it all makes for a bit of a quaint memory today. They were simpler times.   But as a reporter based in New York, I distinctly remember being charged with a fascinating reporting assignment at the time. We wanted to find a diverse spread of people from all over the world, and figured it’d be hard to beat an afternoon doing vox-pops in the heart of Times Square.  I had a camera, a microphone and the New Zealand flag. And to tourists from all over the world I asked a simple question: Where is this from?  “Australia,” they said.   “Australia.” Time and again.   “That flag’s from Australia.”   As a proud dual citizen, I don’t want to come across as hating on our Tasman brethren. But surely a central purpose, if not the central purpose of a flag is to distinguish your country or grouping from others.   I want to be clear: given the challenges we collectively face today, I am not advocating our politicians spend any time or resource changing our national banner. The moment’s passed and while it might return at some point in the future, I think we’d all prefer they focus on the economy and the cost of living right now.    But as you enjoy the smorgasbord of amazing sport this weekend, keep one eye on the crowds. Yes, there will be some New Zealand flags among those in Soweto. But something tells me there will be all manner of different flags supporting our favourite teams (for what it’s worth, personally, I still reckon a silver fern on a black background is the way to go).   Although the whole flag referendum process was a bit of a fiasco, ten years on, this week we've been served a plain reminder. Another country mistakenly raising not one, but two of our flags outside of their parliament because they can’t distinguish the difference, is surely all the evidence you need. John Key was right. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maggie Dent has been helping parents navigate the tough parts of raising kids for decades.  Having raised four sons and become a grandparent, she's passionate about giving teen boys the best environment to thrive.  Her latest book focuses on a subject that's receiving growing attention, 'Digital Freedom' looking at how to strike the right balance with screen use in children's lives.  Dent joined Jack Tame to chat about the current relationship between children, technology, and screens, and what parents can do to shift the balance.   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some excitement in the Milne kitchen this week.  Kevin and his wife Linda have been dutifully collecting stickers for New World's promotion with Smeg, and this week they were able to pick up their first set of knives.  He joined Jack Tame to chat about their new acquisitions, and debate whether or not they're really "free".  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Beatie Boys co-founder Mike D is kicking off his solo career.  His debut solo studio album, 'Thank You', marks the first full-length release of new music from a Beastie Boys alumnus since 2011.   It's filled with dubby, hard-hitting psychedelia, analog synthesizer noise, and post-electronic grooves paired with his signature rapping.  Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the album.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winter is nearing its end, which means it's nearly time to start thinking about plans for the summer.  A few changes are on the horizon for those in the mood to travel, including new routes, new services, and even some new charges.   Mike Yardley joined Jack Tame to chat about the notable airline trends hitting the skies over the summer.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Governor by Lynda La Plante   Barfield Prison is one of the toughest high-security prisons in England, housing the country’s most dangerous criminals. And when an inmate is found dead in his cell, a riot breaks out, forcing the authorities to investigate a potential murder.  Despite being Barfield’s youngest ever female Governor, Helen Hewitt is seen as the best woman for the job. But with a prison full of corrupt and suspicious officers, restless inmates and a broken system, Helen has her work cut out – and no allies to help her….     Agrippa by Robert Harris   Julius Caesar is dead, and the lives of two teenaged boys are about to be changed forever. One is Caesar's 17-year-old nephew, Octavius, whom he has made his heir. The other is Octavius's closest friend, Agrippa.   To claim Octavius's inheritance, they must fight the giant figures of the Roman Empire - and, against all odds, they win. Octavius becomes the Emperor Augustus. For twenty years, they rule the world together.   Now Agrippa is fifty. Ailing and alone, betrayed by his wife's infidelity, he takes refuge in his house on the Bay of Naples and begins to write his memoirs. Yet to stir up the past can be dangerous.   From his earliest meetings with Julius Caesar, through the epic conflict with Mark Antony and Cleopatra, the great naval battle of Actium and the endless wars to expand the empire, he describes how one man has dominated his life- the cunning, ruthless, unknowable Octavius. When it comes to power, does friendship exist at all?  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Technology is constantly progressing, which means were often left with old, outdated, or broken electronics we have no use for.  So what do you do with them? Since you can't just throw away your old electronics and appliances, Kate Hall has compiled some information on where they should go instead.  Mobile phones, laptops, chargers, cables and tablets can often be recycled through retailers like Noel Leeming and other approved e-waste collection points.  Larger appliances such as vacuum cleaners, microwaves and printers should be taken to your local e-waste recycling facility or transfer station. Sometimes the company accepts old appliances for responsible recycling or parts reclamation.  Before recycling, ask yourself whether the item could be repaired, donated or refurbished. Extending the life of electronics is almost always the most sustainable option.  Delete personal data from phones, laptops and tablets before donating or recycling them.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday August 29 2026, Maggie Dent, leading parenting expert from Australia, joins us to talk about her new book 'Digital Freedom'.   Jack casts his vote for the best apple – the Cosmic Crisp!  Ridley Scott's 'The Dog Stars' is in cinemas now, so our film critic Francesca Rudkin gave us her review.  Finance expert Ed McKnight fills us in on the hidden costs of buying a house and how to lower them.  And Mike D from The Beastie Boys has put out his first solo album at 60 years old. Our muso Chris Shulz is in studio to tell us all about it.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ruud Kleinpaste discusses house centipedes, sparked by a phone call from an enthusiastic young bug finder.   It's always exciting when we're smelling the beginning of spring. Some invertebrates are starting to wake up – especially when they have their own secret hiding place inside your home.  Here’s the picture:  A lovely phone call, plus a pretty cool picture of a glass container, held by an enthusiastic young lady who kept a great eye on a 4.5 centimetre long Scutigera coleoptrata.  When you're dealing with one of those wonderful House Centipedes, I can totally imagine that many young Nature Nerds simply can’t take their eyes off these fast-moving creatures.  They run at 40 centimetres per second! Imagine that speed with a 4.5 cm long body.  They have a huge, elegant body with 15 pairs of rather long legs that become longer from the front towards the back. 15 pairs of legs means that this centipede is fully grown and equipped with super-fast feet and really long antennae in the front of their head.  By the way: when a very young centipede lands on the planet, it only has 4 pairs of legs. When it moults to a larger version, it will be walking on 5 pairs of legs. After the next moult 7 pairs, followed by 9 pairs, then 11 pairs, 13 pairs and finally (with the last moult) 15 pairs of legs.  The centipede is then fully grown, and it remains active with 15 pairs of extremely fast legs.  In New Zealand we have two species of Centipedes (or maybe even more) that arrived here from the Mediterranean area. Their speed indicates great amazing predator movements during the day, but especially at night. Gardeners may not realise that they're great predators of many plant pests in your garden and inside your house: caterpillars, small beetles, larvae of young insects, flies, small wasps… their job is fabulous!  I realise more and more that our young New Zealanders are getting better and better when it comes to learning about Invertebrates and how to look after all these creatures… and what their jobs are in nature! No longer too scared of them and ready to feed them too!  Thank you Raine! You’re doing a great job – we need people like you to look after our environment.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

House prices may be falling, but that doesn't mean it's a cheap process.   While everyone is aware of the deposit, mortgage, and insurance costs, there are some hidden costs that you might not know about.  Ed McKnight joined Jack Tame to run through the details and share what he actually spent when buying a house.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In New Zealand, National plans to ban social media for kids under 16 The challenge, as always, is around implementation. What framework is the Government expecting? How accurate should their systems be? Is there any testing? Benchmarks?    Without something like a digital ID or ID verification, you're stuck with things like facial recognition or account activity signals. So if these social media companies get it wrong, there's no one to call, no one to email. It's not like you can walk into a store and prove who you are. You're at the mercy of the systems, and hoping they're accurate. Otherwise, you get your account blocked... and then what?      Meta to pay up to $18 billion over Instagram and Facebook's effect on teens   Facebook's owner just admitted, in dollar terms at least, that it built its apps to be addictive to kids — and it's about to change how they work for every teenager, everywhere. Teen accounts get a default two hour daily cap, no app access from midnight to 6am, and quieter notifications overnight and during school hours.  Like/reaction counts will be hidden from teens, cosmetic-surgery filters blocked, and there will be stronger age checks to catch under-13s. The settlement landed just over a week after opening arguments kicked off, and before CEO Mark Zukerburg took the stand.      Get ready for AI scams and attacks like never before   Just this week, a group of the major tech companies including OpenAI, Microsoft, Google, Mastercard, Visa, and Amazon called for businesses and governments —basically all of society— to act now. They want governments to coordinate cyber defence at local, national, and international levels.    In June, the world’s “Five Eyes” intelligence alliance issued a rare joint statement warning that the AI revolution was poised to “fundamentally transform” cybersecurity.   Voice cloning can now be done, to a realistic level, in around three seconds of training data. The FBI is warning that criminals are using the voices of trusted people —officials and family members— to trick victims into taking actions. The criminals can get the audio from things like an Instagram video post, voicemail greeting, or a TikTok then run it through free tools to make the AI mimic the person. The two biggest attacks: the 'grandparent / family emergency' scam and the 'CEO wire transfer' scam (average loss $250,000+).   LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is Home  Tensions rise and secrets are revealed as a whānau stand to lose their beloved homestead (Māori+).    Conan O’Brien Must Go    After years of conversations with listeners from across the world on his podcast "Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend", Conan O'Brien sets off on an epic journey to connect with some of his dedicated followers in person (HBO Max).    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Dog Stars   When a virus wipes out humanity, survivors face roaming scavengers called Reapers. Hig (Elordi), a pilot, survived the flu that killed everyone he knew, his wife included. He lives in the hangar of a small abandoned airport with his dog, his only neighbour a gun-toting ex-Marine. Hig sometimes heads off in his 1956 Cessna, where he can fish and pretend things are how they used to be.   When a random transmission somehow beams through his radio, the voice ignites a hope deep inside him that a better life might exist if he flies a bit further. He risks it all. to chase a possible haven in Grand Junction.    Don’t Say Good Luck   Sophie Birenbaum is ready for the spotlight as the lead in her high school musical — until she's suddenly facing more drama at home than on the stage.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These are little snacks that are served in Nepal. They can be filled with savoury fillings such as minced lamb or chicken, or with sweet fillings.    Dough wrappers  Ingredients  1 cup flour  1 tbsp oil  1 pinch of salt  1/3 c water    Method  In a large bowl mix together the flour, oil, salt, and water.   Mix well and turn it out onto a floured surface and knead until the dough becomes smooth in texture, about 8-10 minutes.   Cover and let stand for at least 30 minutes. Knead well again before making wrappers.    Filling  Ingredients   ½ cup minced lamb or chicken  1 tbsp coriander chopped fine  ¼ onion, grated  1 clove garlic crushed and chopped  1 tsp fresh ginger chopped fine  1 heaped tsp turmeric  2 tbsp oil  Salt  Method  Mix the ingredients together in a bowl and leave to sit for 15 minutes to allow the flavours to develop.    Putting the Momos together  Give the dough a final knead. Break off small (about the size of a small plum) portions of the dough and roll it to make a ball shape.   On a floured surface, GENTLY flatten the balls with the heel of your hand so that you have a flat circle of dough.  Hold the edges of the semi-flattened dough with one hand, and with the other hand begin rolling the edges of the dough out, swirling a bit at a time.  Continue until the wrapper attains a 3-inch diameter circular shape.  For packing: hold the wrapper on one palm, put in one tablespoon of filling mixture and with the other hand bring all edges together to the centre, making the pleats.  Pinch and twist the pleats to ensure the absolute closure of the stuffed dumpling. This holds the key to good tasting, juicy dumplings.  Heat up a steamer, oil the steamer rack well. This is critical because it will prevent the dumplings from sticking. Arrange uncooked dumplings in the steamer.  Close the lid and steam until the dumplings are cooked through, about 10 minutes.  Take dumplings off the steamer and serve immediately.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s a bold claim, but I’ve made it often enough and I can’t back out now.  There is nothing in this world —nothing— worse than a floury apple. It’s not the actual flouriness that is the problem, per se, it is the fact that the flouriness is amplified by the knowledge of what once could have been. If this apple had been eaten at the right time, it would’ve been so good.  So it more or less goes without saying that if there’s nothing worse than a floury apple, there’s nothing better than the opposite: a sweet, crisp bite of appley perfection.  Perfection in the fruit aisle is basically an impossible ask at this time of year. If, like me, you love your fruit, you’ll be well aware we are getting very close to the absolute worst few weeks of the fruiting calendar.   We’re into the bowels of the cold store for almost everything. The citrus is holding on by its fingertips. Same with the kiwifruit and a few of the pears. But this is the biggest chasm in which nothing’s peaking. Yes sure, maybe you can buy a few early season berries, but you’ll be harvesting a kidney and mortgaging off your home to do so.  Enter the Cosmic Crisp. For someone who professes to like his fruit, I’m embarrassingly late to the game on this front, but in a household riven by illness this winter, the Cosmic Crisp has proven the stand-out option for anyone who fancies something healthy, fresh, and delicious.  You can tell from the name —Cosmic Crisp— that it’s an American apple. They bred it at Washington State University and in a relatively short time it’s become one of the most popular apples in the US. It’s a crossbreed of a Honeycrisp and an Enterprise. It has a maroon colour with a few greeny-yellowy hues.   The taste is perfect for my apple sensibility – sweet, but not the absolute sweetest. And tart, but definitely not a Granny Smith. Still, it’s the crisp that does it. I don’t really understand how this is possible, but although of course, the fresher the better, apparently the Cosmic Crisp will last in a cold store for the best part of a year.  Even now in the depths of winter, it’s pretty good. But if you reckon they're tasty now, take my word for it, to be good at the start of September, a New Zealand-grown apple has to be nothing short of exceptional when freshly picked.  I still recall my first Cosmic Crisp. I saw them at the local supermarket. They were the most expensive variety available, but I figured I’d treat myself. And you know that feeling when you open your mouth almost as wide as it’ll go, you sink your top and bottom teeth into the flesh, and then your pull the apple back from your lips? There’s a little fraction of a second... a moment of appley truth where you wait to see if the flesh will carve off in a giant, crisp chunk? I swear almost half the apple snapped off in my gob. I could barely fit the flesh in my mouth. Forget your fancy Michelin stars and foie gras foams, that feeling is as close to gastronomic perfection as you’ll ever find. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A renowned Kiwi performer, Jackie Clarke has been in the entertainment industry for over 40 years.  With career highlights such as The Ladykillers, judging New Zealand Idol, Christmas in the Park, or hosting the Lotto, she leaves a trail of nostalgic memories in her wake.  And she's back with a new show, 'Songs For Nobodies', in which the paths of some of the most legendary female singers intersect with those of everyday women.   "It's essentially about the most seen women in the world connecting with the most unseen women in the women in the world," Clarke explained to Jack Tame.  "It's got a beautiful poetry to it, and it's essentially about connection."   LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Something new from the lead singer of the Killers.   'Thrasher' is the third solo album from Brandon Flowers, a country/western record quite sonically different to the Killers' usual fare.  The ten track album is filled with personal tales of his youth in Utah.  Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the release.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Post-Mortem by Tim Booth   Death is a certainty, but what happens in the lead-up - and in its aftermath - is anything but predictable. Nobody knows this better than those who work with death every day.   There's no time for an existential crisis when your 9-to-5 involves responding to fatal plane accidents, transporting organs for urgent surgery, or fending off a dying man's request for Nickelback.   In this book, bestselling author and paramedic Tim Booth reveals the darkly funny, often absurd, and sometimes horrifying realities of the professionals most people hope never to meet, including: - crime scene cleaners - organ procurement coordinators - gravediggers - combat medics - emergency nurses and so many more.   Blending laugh-out-loud humour with unflinching moments of poignancy, Post-Mortem tells the stories of the people who face daily life's final chapter - so we don't have to.     Brain Damage by Frieda McFadden   How can you survive when you can't remember who wants you dead?  Dr. Charly McKenna had the perfect life: a thriving dermatology practice, a luxury apartment overlooking Central Park, and a handsome husband who adored her.  Until the night a bullet tore through her skull… and stole everything.  Now Charly wakes in a rehabilitation hospital unable to walk, speak, or remember her own name. All she knows is that someone tried to kill her—and they may still be out there. As fragments of memory surface, so do unsettling questions about the people around her, including the attentive man who keeps appearing at her bedside.  The truth of what happened that night lives somewhere inside her brain. And as Charly pieces together the jagged edges of her past, she begins to realize the most terrifying possibility: the person who wants her dead might be the one she once trusted most.    LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The island metropolis of Montreal prides itself on being eclectic and cosmopolitan, a city of style and elegance with a cracking culinary scene, impressively bilingual and where arts and culture thrive. All of this is wrapped within the venerable bones of a heritage-proud city where the past and present overlay each other. It shivers through winter but shines in summer, with locals flocking to the patio bars and cafes that festoon Montreal with fabled al fresco exuberance." Read Mike's full article. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Between the ages of 12-14, girls are twice as likely to drop out of sport as boys Typically if young people drop out, they don’t return, so they miss out on the many benefits of playing sport as an adult.   From a developmental perspective this age is really critical for girls who are often going through puberty and associated body changes, which can bring with it an increased self-awareness, and not always in a good way. Another corresponding change is that girls at this age can often start to become more critical of themselves and often compare themselves to others.   So the last thing they need is more pressure from us on the side-line! Some new research from 2degrees found that’s exactly what girls feel from us, not only in when we shout out from the sideline, but also what we shout out from the sideline.   55% of girls surveyed feel more pressure when there are supporters present and 99% said that the right type of support would help keep them in sport for longer.   They said that support when losing is twice as important as support when they’re winning. And there’s a fine line between pressure vs encouragement.  Comments girls said belong on the encouraging side of the line:   “Good job, keep going”   “I’m proud of you”   “We’ve got this, girls”   “I believe in you”   “Keep your head up”   Comments that cross into pressure:   "Just keep pushing”   “You can do better than that”   “You’re not playing like we know you can play”   “Mark that person”   “Get up”   “Pass/tackle/run!” or yelling instructions mid-play   The key point is that girls are under enough pressure from themselves without us as supporters adding to this – what they need is our encouragement, and sometimes the line between these things can be hard for us to draw as adults.   One really practical outcome of this survey is that clubs and schools can order a free SupportHER Line pack from 2degrees – this comes with an actual physical line that you can be put around your field or court to help remind supporters of the line between encouragement and pressure. If you want to see what this looks like, it’s going to be printed on the field tonight for the Black Ferns v Wallaroos match at GoMedia Stadium.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A surge of influenza A is hitting New Zealand.   This year's numbers are the highest in four years, and hospitalisations in Auckland are the highest they've been for a decade.  Covid health measures have been reinstated in GP clinics with phone-first triaging and respiratory patients being separated from normal patients.  Dr Bryan Betty joined Jack Tame to discuss the outbreak – what's happening, why it seems so severe, and if it can be treated at home.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday August 22 2026, renowned New Zealand performer Jackie Clarke joined to chat about her new show 'Songs For Nobodies'.  Jack's house has been struck by the Influenza A outbreak.  Our tech expert Paul Stenhouse warns us that Meta's Smart Glasses are on their way to New Zealand shelves.  A robust debate is had on the merits (and downfalls) of Poutine with our travel correspondent Mike Yardley.  And there's a fine line between encouragement and pressure when it comes to girls' sports – Clinical Psychologist Dr Dougal Sutherland has some tips on how to be a positive support to our teens.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Honestly our winter has been rather strange: crazy winds and cold weeks, some flowering trees and late native trees. It sometimes feels like spring, but don’t be fooled for another four weeks – mistakes can be made!    Spring, by the way, starts 23rd of September at 12:05pm (at the equinox ;-)).   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.   A rather quick way to get new crops going is by purchasing plants you’d love to have in the veggie garden and eat as soon as they are ready: broad beans, strawberries, spring onions, cauliflowers, lettuces, carrots, spinach, etc.  Start that now, but cover them when you expect a nasty frost.   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. The reason is the planted trees/shrub etc will not need to “sulk” for a long time – they’ll 'wake up' from their winter slumber relatively quickly to start the growth.    And there’s little need to water these new plants. The same arguments will go for your food crops.   A few things to start organising:    For those of you that like “new potatoes” for Christmas, start sorting your plants so you can begin 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!).  And that brings me to organising my Tomato varieties: get the Kings Seeds Catalogue!   Mixed cherry tomatoes and Artisan Blush  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.