Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Typical time of the year – we need to get on with Gardening in many different parts of the garden!   My tunnel house has to be prepared for spring and summer: the plastic cover is absolutely dirty and covered with algae and grime. That means that the sunlight is reduced, and plants will struggle to get into photosynthesis.   I usually grab my Wet-and-Forget Rapid to weaken the winter load of moss, mould, and grime so everything will brighten up and grow some decent crops, plants, and flowers.  The next step – equally important!   Order the seeds, bulbs, or cuttings you are wanting to plant. Not just in the glass house or tunnel house, but anywhere in the borders, along the paths, in raised beds, or simply in indoor pots, terracotta, or ceramic beauties.  Everything will now develop to a great, young plant, ready for trans-location to your garden. Remember, the best growth is between now and Christmas!   While you’re organising the new plants from your favourite supplier, it pay

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 13 September 2025, legendary Kiwi author Elizabeth Knox joins Jack to discuss how to approach complex subjects with young readers and what drew her back to young adult fiction after 12 years away.  Waste not, want not... Nici Wickes has two recipe ideas for those leek tops that seem to sit around before being thrown away.  Francesca Rudkin dishes on the final ever instalment of the Downton Abbey franchise.  And Estelle Clifford discusses Ed Sheeran's super stardom and chameleon adaptability.  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.

Wine: Tiki Single Vineyard Pinot Noir Rosé 2024, North Canterbury RRP from $26.00   A distinctive colour with hues of orange and red that leads to a bouquet of ripeness and freshness, complexity and style. A sense of site with stone and mineral then red tea and roses, raspberry along with some tropical fruit ideas. A satin touch with a backbone of acidity and red berry fruit flavours. The wine has no tannins yet plenty of mouthfeel and crunch. Well made with best drinking from 2025 through 2027.   The season:   2024 was an excellent season for the vineyard overall in Central Otago. It was the only region in NZ with an above average yield, all the winemakers I spoke to were very happy, just hoping the sell as much wine as possible.   The food:   Rosé works remarkably well as a complement to most fare, some specific dishes that suit rosé well include: cheese boards that include lots of fruit like figs and fresh apricots, strawberries and plum sections; Minestrone soup; Poached flaky whi

A new iPhone to add to the mix: the iPhone Air.   Is it really the thinnest iPhone? The body is, but not the camera area!   The announcement that caught my eye: eSIM is now the standard. It makes it much easier to change providers or grab a data plan when you're overseas. There's no need to try and track down a packet and remember where you put your old SIM card, you can subscribe fully digitally and be connected in seconds.     Spotify's music quality is stepping up   And they won't be charging you extra for the improvement, which is nice. It's rolling out to 50 markets around the world and New Zealand is on the list. Spotify says subscribers should receive a notification in the app as lossless becomes available, but you will need to manually select it in your settings. This has been a LONG time coming. In 2021, Spotify claimed it was “coming later this year”, and by May of 2024 it was “almost ready.”     Specialist AI Agents are coming to Microsoft's Copilot AI offering &n

Task   An FBI agent heads a Task Force to put an end to a string of violent robberies led by an unsuspecting family man (Neon).    The Girlfriend  Laura's picture-perfect life starts to unravel when her son brings home a new girlfriend named Cherry; she becomes convinced that Cherry is a manipulative social climber -- or is she just being paranoid? (Prime Video)    New Zealand’s Best Homes with Phil Spencer    Property expert Phil Spencer showcases some of New Zealand's most stunning homes and gives a glimpse into the lifestyles they have to offer (TVNZ1 + TVNZ+ from Sunday night).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale  A final hurrah for the stately saga. In the summer of 1930, the Crawleys grapple with the threat of social disgrace when Mary finds herself at the centre of a public scandal and the family faces financial trouble.      Sketch   Fantastical creatures come to life when a young girl's sketchbook falls into a strange pond. As the town starts to unravel, she and her brother try to track down the unpredictable, chaotic and real monsters before they cause permanent damage. Racing against time to find them, their father must navigate a community in crisis to reunite his family and stop the disaster they never meant to unleash.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the price of food we can’t afford to waste even a bit! Leeks are fat right now and if you’re someone who discards a lot of the green part, listen up. Here’s some fab ways to use them.          Crispy Leek Topping    Thinly slice the green leek tops. Rinse in a bowl of cold water to get any dirt out. Transfer to a towel and pat dry.     Heat a pan to medium, then add in 1 tbsp each of butter and oil. Shallow fry until slightly browned and crispy, about 6-8 minutes. You could add some thyme or tarragon towards the end of cooking. Transfer to a plate and season with salt and pepper.    Use as topper for fish, risotto, salads or cool completely and stir into softened butter to butter crusty bread with.         Softened Leek Compote     Chop green part of leek into 1-2 cm lengths.     Melt 3 tbsp butter plus 1 tbsp of oil in pan. Add the leeks, cover and cook on medium for 20 minutes.   Add in a crushed garl

Tell you what, when I saw the latest migration statistics this week and the net 47,000 New Zealand citizens who’d decided to move overseas in the last year, I had an instantaneous reaction.   You sure about that? I wondered. I know our economy isn’t exactly thriving, but have you checked any news headlines lately?   Israel had just bombed Qatar. Russian drones were being shot down in Poland. The British government was in disarray. Charlie Kirk had just been assassinated.    Put it this way: a sustained economic malaise isn’t half as bad as some of the other problems facing the world right now.    You know how when there’s a really big news event it’s all anyone wants to talk about? As terrible a week as it’s been for the world, it’s been even worse on social media. A great week, nay, a vintage week for bad takes.  Tom Phillips is a prime example. To think, even for a moment, that a man who’s been using his children in armed robberies, who’s deprived them of any outside socia

After an extensive career in Hollywood and beyond as the star of blockbusters like The Hobbit and TV series like BBC’s Spooks, Richard Armitage has pivoted.  He’s turned his hand to the written word, releasing his first novel ‘Geneva’ in 2023, his second novel, ‘The Cut’ released just this month.  The story is inspired by a conversation he had in a cemetery, and the novel is unique in that it’s designed to be an audiobook before a physical text.  Writing for performance is slightly different to writing for reading, Armitage explained to Jack Tame.  “The way I work on it is to visualise it as a piece of cinema or television, and then I write it down in a sort of visceral way.”   “It’s slightly more pared back,” he said.  “And I’m kind of leaning into atmosphere.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is nearly upon us, bringing with it the array of music festivals that call New Zealand home. The line ups are beginning to be announced, but what acts are worth making the trip?  Music connoisseur Estelle Clifford has compiled a list of artists and bands she thinks is worth shelling out to see. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Pint-sized Bratislava has the unique distinction of being the only capital city in the world wedged by three countries. Just inside the border of Slovakia, the city is also sandwiched by Austria and Hungary. You can lay your eyes on those three countries from various perches around town." "Bratislava’s old town is a little bon-bon, a perfectly formed tangle of twisting cobbled streets, studded with pastel-hued 18th century buildings. But far from simply being an urban relic from a bygone age, the Slovakian capital has an unmistakably cosmopolitan, contemporary feel and quirky personality, best exemplified by its infatuating public art installations." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne is back from overseas, where he was visiting his sons over in London. While he was, there was an incident at a Premier League football match in London where he left with his heart swelling with pride even though their team West Ham got thrashed 5-1. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Travelling can be a busy and challenging time, and making more sustainable choices can sometimes fall by the wayside.  But Kate Hall has a few tips and tricks on how to make travel a little bit more sustainable, both before you go, and while you’re away.  Before you go:   Switch off appliances at the wall, empty fridge/freezer if away for longer, manage heating/cooling.   Plan travel so you don’t overpack or buy unnecessary items.   While travelling:   Choose lower-emission transport where possible (direct flights, trains, buses).   Reusable items (water bottle, coffee cup, cutlery) to avoid single-use.   Support local food and businesses, minimise waste.   Mindset shift:  Travel lighter, consume less, and think about footprint beyond just flights.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 6 September 2025, actor turned author Richard Armitage joins Jack to discuss his new novel ‘The Cut’, how audiobooks are changing, and the differences when writing for a story that’s to be heard instead of read.  Jack reflects on an ailing body.  Kevin Milne is back from his trip abroad and shares a touching family experience at the Premier League.  Nici Wickes has a delicious Father's Day recipe that’s easy for the kids to be involved in making.  Plus, Mark Zuckerberg is suing Mark Zuckerberg... tech expert Paul Stenhouse breaks it down.  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.

Ed McKnight has been working in personal finance for a fair few years and although he typically tries to be encouraging when giving advice, he does have some more brutal truths to tell.  He joined Jack Tame to offer up the three brutally honest pieces of money advice that most Kiwis will need to hear.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frosty by Mark Winterbottom   The incredible true story of the boy from Doonside who became a Bathurst king.   Mark Winterbottom's story is unlike any other in motorsport. It's not about privilege or million-dollar sponsors - it's the tale of a working-class kid with a dream so big it defied the odds.   Frosty's story is a motorsport fairy tale that is also proof that with heart, hustle and an unyielding will to succeed, you can achieve greatness. Mark went on to win 10 Australian national kart titles and 25 state championships before transitioning into Formula Ford in 2001. His meteoric rise continued in 2003 when he clinched the Konica V8 Supercar Series Championship and was honoured with the Mike Kable Young Gun Award. Mark would also become one of Ford's most famous drivers when he broke through to beat Craig Lowndes and Jamie Whincup by winning the 2015 Supercars Championship in his flying Falcon.   Frosty is more than a story of fast cars, chequered flags and brushes with some of mot

OpenAI is coming for LinkedIn   The company announced it'll be expanding and applying its AI knowledge to new applications. First up, matching employers and job seekers.   The "Jobs Platform" is designed to match those with AI skills to employers who want those skills. They're working on a certifications program too. There are also reports they're working on a web browser and a social media app.   The woman who runs this new "applications" vertical along with ChatGPT knows a thing or two about social media – she is the former head of Facebook and CEO of Instacart, a shopping and delivery marketplace.     Mark Zuckerberg is suing Mark Zuckerberg   It's a pretty famous name, huh? So imagine life for poor Mark Zuckerberg in Indiana. Facebook keeps suspending his account while falsely accusing him of "impersonating a celebrity". But when it suspends his account, it suspends his advertising account too. Mark S. Zuckerberg says there is a breach of contract because he paid $11,000 for

This is a regular complaint from gardeners: Lichen on the stems of our shrubs, trees and bark. In this case: Julie’s treasured Magnolias.  It kind of makes sense as the shrub or small tree often appears to have more lichen than leaves – mostly smallish buds, not large, impressive flowers. And few leaves that often look small and somewhat discoloured.  No wonder gardeners are concerned about Lichen!  Here are the identified species of lichen on our Magnolia: Cartilage Lichen and Common Sunburst Lichen.  Lichen do not live in or from the plants – they don’t invade the plants or steal nutrients, they just sit there on the branches in the sun. Often the more light or sun there is, the healthier the lichens are.  Gardeners often think that the plants’ lack of health is due to the presence of lichen but a far more accurate diagnosis is exactly the opposite. Shrubs and trees which are not in the most perfect place (with the best sun or shade) or with a minimal amount of healthy fertilisers

The Paper   Following up on the story from "The Office," the documentary crew that immortalized Dunder Mifflin's Scranton branch discovers a disappearing Midwestern newspaper and the publisher trying to revive it with volunteer reporters. This mockumentary follows the daily lives and struggles of dreamers in love with journalism, and their less-than-competent co-workers, trying to deliver accurate news without the resources or training to do a great job (TVNZ+).     In Flight   Jo Conran's son is imprisoned for a murder he denies. A gang blackmails her into smuggling, pushing her into a world of corruption and violence to save her child's life (TVNZ+).     Bay of Fires   Betrayed and in immediate danger, Stella is forced to move her family to the last place on Earth anyone would expect, a place where the locals hide secrets and outsiders are viewed with suspicion bordering on the murderous (TVNZ+).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for priv

The Roses   Life seems easy for picture-perfect couple Theo and Ivy: successful careers, a loving marriage, great kids. However, a tinderbox of fierce competition and hidden resentments soon emerge when Theo's career nosedives and Ivy's own ambitions take off.    Ice Road: Vengeance   A grieving American ice road trucker, Mike McCann, travels to Nepal to fulfil his late brother's final wish and scatter his ashes on Mt. Everest. There he meets Dhani, a skilled mountaineer, who agrees to guide him along the infamous Road to the.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.