Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Alan Davies is known for his natural, relatable storytelling skills across the page, the stage, and the screen. The comedian is a staple of British television, with roles on the long-running ‘Jonathan Creek' and popular comedy panel show ‘QI'. It's been more than a decade since Davies last did a stand-up tour, but he's happy to report it's going well. “It had been so long that it was feeling, beginning to feel like a gamble,” he told Jack Tame. “I spent some time unpacking stuff from my childhood, doing a, writing about it, and that process took a while and changed a lot of how I viewed myself, and what I wanted to do, and what I wanted to say. This show, ‘Think Ahead', was created at around the same time Davies was writing another volume of his memoir ‘White Male Stand-Up', which deals with issues from Davies' childhood, career, and his adult life. “And I've got to a place now where I think the show's really quite sort of, it's a bit richer and deeper, and better than stuff I've done before,” he explained. “I'm really sort of proud of it.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been a bit of an odd year in the music space. With the rise of AI music, musicians pulling their work off Spotify in protest of the company and CEO, rising ticket prices, and tours cutting off before they hit New Zealand, it's been rough for some fans. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to delve into some of the worst things about being a music fan in 2025. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Quantum of Menace by Vaseem Kahn Q is out of MI6 . . . . . . and in over his head After Major Boothroyd (aka Q) is unexpectedly ousted from his role with British Intelligence developing technologies for MI6's 00 agents, he finds himself back in his sleepy hometown of Wickstone-on-Water. His childhood friend, renowned quantum computer scientist Peter Napier, has died in mysterious circumstances, leaving behind a cryptic note. The police seem uninterested, but Q feels compelled to investigate and soon discovers that Napier's ground-breaking work may have attracted sinister forces... Can Q decode the truth behind Napier's death, even as danger closes in? The Hawk is Dead by Peter James Roy Grace never dreamed a murder investigation would take him deep into Buckingham Palace . . . Her Majesty, Queen Camilla, is aboard the Royal Train heading to a charity event in Sussex when disaster strikes - the train is derailed. A tragic accident or a planned attack? When, minutes later, a trusted aide is shot dead by a sniper, the police have their answer. Despite all the evidence, Roy Grace is not convinced The Queen was the intended target. But he finds himself alone in his suspicions. Fighting against the scepticism of his colleagues and the Palace itself, Grace pursues his own investigation. But when there is a second murder, the stakes rise even higher, and Grace is at risk of being embroiled in a very public catastrophe - and in mortal danger. Failure at this level is not an option. But time is running out before a killer in the Palace will strike again . . . LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Fuelled by popular culture and history's long shadow, Derry~Londonderry is enjoying its moment in the sun. The Walled City in Northern Ireland has stamped its mark on the tourist map, appealing to a broad band of visitors. On my recent swing through the island of Ireland, Derry~Londonderry certainly didn't fail to impress, serving up a heady cocktail of colour, culture, and the echoes of extreme conflict." "The official name of this border town has long been the subject of a naming dispute between Irish nationalists and unionists. Generally, although not always, nationalists favour using the name Derry, and unionists favour Londonderry. On my approach to the city, I noticed most highway signs have had the Londonderry name scratched or painted over. And while I was in the “hyphenated city”, most locals I spoke to resolutely called the city simply Derry." Read Mike's full article. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Most Kiwis will be taking time off over the summer, and while most of us are probably looking forward to relaxing before next year kicks back in, some will be looking for things to do. If you're searching for ideas, Kate Hall has a few ideas for sustainable activities you can do over the summer break. Waste audit Go through one week's worth of rubbish and see what the main culprits are, then make a plan for how to reduce those in the new year (e.g. bread packets, see if your local bakery will let you bring your own cloth bag to get bread or find a recipe and start making your own). Gardening Start small with herbs or start even smaller by getting a book out of the library on gardening (Edible Garden by Kath Irvine is great and NZ based). Pick your own fruit Go to a pick-your-own berry spot and stock up – preserve or freeze them to eat all year round! Beach cleanup Attend a local one or do your own at your favourite beach (we enjoy beaches a lot during summer so it's great to give back!). Explore a regional park and learn about the local ecology Start a conversation At a BBQ or Christmas function, talk with someone about sustainable living, what/if their values are sustainable – keep the convo positive and curious. Start a compost Summer is ideal because everything breaks down faster – and you have time to set one up! A worm farm, bokashi or compost is great. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 13 December 2025, comedian Alan Davies joins Jack to discuss his return to the stand-up stage for the first time in a decade. Jack weighs up who should take responsibility for children under 16 on social media. Kevin Milne considers the use of AI when writing personal messages. Nici Wickes goes savoury with a deceptively simple butterflied lamb leg and Dr Bryan Betty shares important tips on staying safe this summer. 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.

Yes, I realise it won't be summer for another week or so, but the following observations are just a few Gardeners' Tips to muck around with: Ancistrocerus gazella is an introduced “potters wasp” from Europe. It got here decades ago and is a really cute predatory wasp that does some great things in your quarter acre paradise. This little wasplet makes nice nests inside hollow tubes and then it goes on the hunt for small caterpillars, usually the leafrollers that silk your leaves together and chew from within their leaf-silk tent. Ancistrocerus paralyses the caterpillars, lays an egg on them and cements the quarry and its own potential baby inside the carefully chosen tube. Of course, the caterpillar will become food for the ectoparasite, and this helps to reduce the chewing damage on your roses, perennials and other plants. Here's a tip: create a bunch of small-diameter bamboo tubes as a choice of real estate for these wasps to live in. The accommodation runs a little bit like that of the mason wasp (who gets their kids —larvae— to feed on paralysed spiders). Frustrated Cucurbit growers (cucumbers, melons, marrow, courgettes, you name it) often complain at this time of the year that their plants simply don't set fruit at all; in fact, the plant almost exclusively produces male flowers and hardly any female flowers! Yep, common complaint. If there is a scarcity of pollinators the plant “thinks” there isn't enough pollen/there are not enough pollinators to fertilise the female flowers, so it creates more male flowers to “compensate”. A remedy that works toward solving the problem is to have a lot of Pollen and Nectar plants surrounding the cucumber/melon, etc, so that a heap of pollinating insects are constantly patrolling the area. The first female flower will then almost certainly get her turn, and the plant “knows” it's okay to produce more female flowers. If you can achieve that from mid-spring onwards, all will be well! Talking about pollinators, have a look out for the Wool Carder Bee! It's another introduced pollinating insect from Europe, and it has some quite amazing behaviours. It loves to hover and fly around the Lamiate flowers in your garden, stuff like Salvias, and lamb's ear. These types of plants are its favourite food, and it defends its patch fiercely by chasing away other pollinators – bees, bumble bees, and even wasps! It does so by dive-bombing these “interlopers” with almost Top Gun-like sorties. They will even squeeze bees and bumble bees between their abdominal segments, festooned with spikes! Gruesome stuff, especially when then mortally wound these bees. When wool carder bees start nest building, they scrape off the fine, light-coloured hairs off the leaves of certain plants (remember lamb's ear!) and work these fibres into the most delicate, soft and insulating ball that acts as nest nurseries for their larvae and pupae in development. Their name (wool carder bee) tells the story of their ability to cut off the hairs and fibres and use those resources to create brilliantly designed nests for their babies. When you point all this activity out to the kids, you'll find they will be busy observing aerial battles and dogfights, right in your back yard! I think it's worth-while to plant some lamb's ear, just for the entertainment value alone. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer is fun however it's good to remember how to stay safe when it comes to things like sun, food, insects, and alcohol. Here's what to watch out for and how to stay safe over the holidays. The number one thing to think about the sun – it makes us feel good but can cause harm! Sunburn sets us up for skin cancer. Be especially careful with children! Use SPF 30+ sunscreen, reapply every 2–3 hours and after swimming. Wear hats, sunglasses, and protective clothing. Remember: UV is highest between 10am and 4pm. Stay hydrated. Heat exhaustion and heatstroke can develop quickly, especially in the elderly and small children. Keep food safe especially in the heat We increase the risk of food poisoning over summer due to the heat, which encourages bacteria. Keep food cold and covered – use chilly bins/ice packs. Follow the 2-hour rule – avoid leaving food out in heat for more than 2 hours Wash hands and utensils to prevent spread of germs. Cook meats thoroughly, especially poultry and BBQ foods. Avoid cutting up meat/chicken on the same board as salad vegetables. Watch for signs of food poisoning: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, fever – see your doctor. Watch out for insects, especially mosquitoes and sandflies Avoid getting bitten – can be itchy and painful. Use insect repellent in areas with sandflies or mosquitos and wear long sleeves/pants in bushy areas. Watch out for allergic reactions: red inflamed skin around a bite, can be very itchy. May need to see your pharmacist or doctor for treatment: anti-itch cream, antihistamines. Always drink alcohol in moderation Alcohol increases dehydration. A good tip is to alternate drinks with water. Avoid swimming, boating, or driving under the influence: impaired judgement raises accident risk. Eat before and while drinking – pace yourself. Watch for the heat and alcohol combination leading to faster exhaustion. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Disney characters are coming to Sora The three-year partnership with OpenAI will bring Disney's iconic characters to the company's Sora AI video generator. But no voices will come with them, and only animated characters will be included, like Mickey Mouse, Cinderella, and Simba. A key part of this deal: Disney is also making a $1 billion equity investment in OpenAI. And the user-generated creations will be able to be used by Disney on things like Disney+. I'm surprised Disney did this deal. They're known in the industry as having some of the strictest rules about how their IP can be used. They're suing Midjourney for IP breaches, so maybe this is their way to profit from what they already know will happen even if they choose not to be involved. Reddit doesn't think it should be banned for kids in Australia It's making two arguments: first it says that the law limits free political discourse of children. This feels weak. It's second argument feels stronger: it calls itself a “collection of public fora arranged by subject”. It's basically saying that because you don't typically follow people on Reddit, you follow subjects, that it's not a social media app. It argues that people engage in interactions about that content, not person to person. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Abandons In 1850s Washington, two families led by powerful matriarchs — one wealthy, one poor but deeply loyal — battle for supremacy on the lawless frontier (Netflix). Trigger Point Death is always just a heartbeat away for bomb disposal officer Lana Washington. In the new season, what appears to be a bomb threat in central London soon reveals itself as something far more sinister (TVNZ+). Fisk Family feuds. Money squabbles. Wobbly furniture. A no-nonsense lawyer joins a low-rent wills and probate firm after her marriage and career implode (Netflix). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jay Kelly Famous movie star Jay Kelly and his devoted manager, Ron, embark on an unexpectedly profound journey through Europe. Along the way, both men confront the choices they've made, relationships with loved ones, and the legacies they'll leave behind. Beat the Lotto Almost everyone has played the Lottery and everyone would like to win it. Whitaker's documentary tells the story of Stefan, the man who tried to beat the Lotto system by attempting to fix the draw, an act that divided the nation. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This slow-cooked lamb dish is a festive treat and it's super simple to make spectacular with a final flourish of pomegranate jewels and fresh herbs that make the whole thing feel properly celebratory. Ingredients 1 butterflied leg of lamb (1.6–2kg) 3–4 garlic cloves, slivered Zest and juice of 1 orange 2 tbsp olive oil 2 tbsp runny honey 1 tbsp Dijon mustard 1 tsp each ground cumin, ground coriander, smoked paprika 1 tsp flaky sea salt Freshly ground black pepper 2 sprigs rosemary, finely chopped 1 cup chicken or vegetable stock ½ cup white wine (optional) To finish: Pomegranate seeds, mint leaves, flat-leaf parsley, extra orange zest Method Start by laying the lamb out flat and making small slits across the flesh so you can slip in those slivers of garlic. It's a tiny bit of extra effort but the flavour reward is enormous. In a small bowl whisk together the orange zest and juice, olive oil, honey, mustard, spices, salt, pepper and rosemary. Pour this over the lamb and give it a good massage so every little nook gets coated. If you've time to marinate it for a few hours or even overnight, do — the flavours deepen beautifully. When you're ready to cook, heat your oven to 170°C. Nestle the lamb into a roasting dish and pour any leftover marinade over the top. Add the stock and wine around the meat, then seal the whole dish tightly with foil. This is the trick to keeping the lamb meltingly tender. Slide it into the oven and leave it to slowly braise for about 2½ hours, checking halfway to make sure there's still a little liquid in the base. Once the lamb is lovely and soft, remove the foil and drain off some of the juices for a gravy. Increase the oven temperature to 200°C. Return the dish to the oven for 15 minutes so the edges caramelise and the top gets all sticky and gorgeous. Let the lamb rest for a good 15-20 minutes on a board or plate before slicing or pulling it into big, rustic chunks — it will be fall-apart tender. Pour the reserved pan juices back into the roasting dish. Mix 1 heaped tbsp of flour with some 2 tsps. soft butter to form a paste and add this to the roasting dish. Stir and simmer until it thickens a little for a gravy. To serve, pile it onto a platter and scatter over pomegranate seeds, mint, parsley and a final grating of orange zest. Serve gravy on the side. The colours are pure Christmas and the flavour is sunshine on a plate. Pair it with simple greens or a herby summer salad. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

These days there seems to be nothing AI can't do for you. Write emails, grocery lists, stories, summaries, and even Christmas messages. But should you be getting an AI to write what should be a heartfelt personal message? Kevin Milne can't help but find the thought of connecting with friends and loved ones this way extremely shabby. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's funny how becoming a parent instantly makes you care more about stuff. As a child, I used to find it really embarrassing when my Dad would yell out at cars that were driving too fast. Now, I'm that guy. Every time a car hoons up our street, I want to scream at the driver. Sometimes I do. “There are kids here, you tosser!” My values in education have very much sharpened since becoming parent. My views on kids and smart phones have only intensified. And as Australia's world-leading ban on social media for under-16s comes into effect, I'm fascinated to see what's going to happen. I really, really dislike social media. I think what was initially sold to the world as a way for people to connect has morphed into something far more cynical. The likes of Facebook know they maximise profits by keeping people scrolling. And while once upon a time when you were on Facebook or Instagram, you'd mainly be seeing pictures of your friends, the various platforms have all worked out that nothing keeps people scrolling for longer than making them really angry. For all of the relatively harmless accounts, cat videos, and people making creative or funny content, the net effect has been poisonous. The platforms that were meant to connect us have done the opposite. They have isolated and divided us. I said last year on this show that social media platforms should be subject to better regulation (not to mention proper taxation!) and that at the very least, we should be considering Australia's social media stance. But for those of us who nerd out on public policy, the actual design of Australia's legislation has underscored why this is such a tricky issue to legislate. It comes down to the definition: What is social media? Even though they can try and work to a common set of standards, ultimately someone needs to make a judgement call. So while Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok have been banned, Discord doesn't yet face the same restrictions. There are thousands of different platforms and sites where young people can still post and interact. YouTube has argued it isn't social media at all. You can still access many videos without an account. And Reddit is taking legal action arguing that its platform is totally different to many of the others. Teenagers are industrious. You try and play whack-a-mole and ban every new platform that pops up, but obviously some of them will find ways around the law, just as anyone who got their hands on alcohol or cigarettes before their 18th birthday will attest. But supporters of the law say that's actually a good analogy. No one is suggesting the ban is going to stop every last kid from accessing social media. But it generally makes it more difficult. Truthfully, I don't know how effective this law is going to be. I understand the impulse to want to protect children. I was a big supporter of banning phones in schools and I think unregulated social media has been disastrous. But this is super complex. I think the sensible thing for New Zealand to do is to take six months or a year. Learn from the Aussies, and then make a call. And even if we do act in the future, just as with booze or cigarettes, the state can only do so much. Easy to say this now, perhaps. Come back to me when my kids are a bit older! But the primary responsibility for keeping kids safe in the digital age cannot fall to governments or legislators... the responsibility is with us, parents. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Alice Taylor has changed the way thousands of Kiwis think about cooking at home. You may know her for her time as a contestant on Masterchef or from her social media presence at Alice Taylor Eats. She favours no-frills recipes and honest conversations around food accessibility and it's seen her following skyrocket to half a million across her profiles. The ethos behind her accounts is pretty simplistic, Taylor told Jack Tame. “We want to help people save money cooking at home, give them tips and tricks, and ultimately also just make them feel proud about what they're putting on the table,” she said. “I think a lot of social media is a bit unrealistic, so we also want to be a platform where people can y'know, watch, have a bit of fun, cook some good food, and feel good about themselves.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

More and more people seem to be opting for alcohol-free drinks. The success of Lisa King's AF Drinks really brought it home to Kevin Milne just how much alcohol consumption habits are changing. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

At some point, everyone has been left disappointed when a musician or artist leaves New Zealand off their tour schedule. But our neighbours across the ditch rarely have the same issue. Chris Schulz is having a mammoth week over in Australia – going to the Good Things music festival, two Kendrick Lamar shows, and is seeing Lady Gaga tonight. He joined Jack Tame for a chat about his jam packed musical week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shattered Lands by Sam Dalrymple A history of modern South Asia told through five partitions that reshaped it. As recently as 1928, a vast swathe of Asia – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, Bhutan, Yemen, Oman, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait – were bound together under a single imperial banner, an entity known officially as the ‘Indian Empire', or more simply as the Raj. It was the British Empire's crown jewel, a vast dominion stretching from the Red Sea to the jungles of Southeast Asia, home to a quarter of the world's population and encompassing the largest Hindu, Muslim, Sikh and Zoroastrian communities on the planet. Its people used the Indian rupee, were issued passports stamped ‘Indian Empire', and were guarded by armies garrisoned in forts from the Bab el-Mandeb to the Himalayas And then, in the space of just fifty years, the Indian Empire shattered. Five partitions tore it apart, carving out new nations, redrawing maps, and leaving behind a legacy of war, exile and division. Shattered Lands, for the first time, presents the whole story of how the Indian Empire was unmade. How a single, sprawling dominion became twelve modern nations. How maps were redrawn in boardrooms and on battlefields, by politicians in London and revolutionaries in Delhi, by kings in remote palaces and soldiers in trenches. Its legacies include civil war in Burma and ongoing insurgencies in Kashmir, Baluchistan and Northeast India, and the Rohingya genocide. It is a history of ambition and betrayal, of forgotten wars and unlikely alliances, of borders carved with ink and fire. And, above all, it is the story of how the map of modern Asia was made. The Heir Apparent by Rebecca Armitage They would always choose the Crown over their family. It was the pact they made for the honour of wearing it. Lexi Villiers is a 29-year-old Englishwoman doing her medical residency in Hobart, working too hard, worried about her bank balance, and living with friends. It's an ordinary, happy kind of life, and getting even better, because as the dawn is breaking on New Year's Day, Lexi is about to kiss the man she loves for the very first time. But by midnight, everything will change. Because Lexi is in fact not an ordinary young woman. She is Princess Alexandrina, third in line to the British throne—albeit estranged from the rest of her family and living in voluntary exile on the other side of the world. But following a terrible accident which has claimed the life of her father and her twin brother, Lexi—the black sheep of her family and, until this moment, always destined to be the spare—is now the heir apparent, first in line to the throne once her grandmother, the elderly Queen, dies. Called back to do her duty, she arrives in London to a Palace riven with power plays and media leaks, all the while guarding painful secrets of her own, not knowing who she can trust. Palace waters are treacherous, rumours are rife, and selling each other's secrets is a family tradition. And with the Crown just within her grasp, Lexi must choose what bonds she will keep ... and what she is willing to leave behind. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It's been eleven years since I last filled my heart with Ireland – a shamefully long break in transmission. On my latest visit to this most enchanting of destinations, my road trip began with a jaunt through Ireland's “Hidden Heartlands.” Far beyond the heavily trafficked haunts like Dublin, Galway, or Killarney, this interior patchwork of counties beats to a slower pace across Ireland's central plains. Steeped in nature, resolute village life, and bucket loads of history, it is quite the revelation to get off the beaten track and dabble with the authentic charm, artisanal verve, pastoral beauty and homely hospitality that underpins this lesser-known realm." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we remember the “good old days” as being so good? In past weeks we've touched on events that are blasts from the past, or the good old days. Most people have fond memories of these good old days. Politicians refer to this too to pull on our heartstrings (and votes) e.g., “Make America Great Again” – the inference being that we can make it good like the past. So why do the good old days feel so good for most of us? Some of this is due to what psychologists call “the reminiscence bump”. It refers to our teenage and early adult years of life when we tend to have stronger memories about our lives and major events in life. You can almost date people's ages by the time of their reminiscence bump – e.g., my teen and young adult years were in the late 80s, early 90s, so my favourite bands are from then (the Smiths), my favourite football team (Liverpool), favourite movie (Goodfellas), or TV shows (Seinfeld). Reminiscence bump breaks the general rule of autobiographical memory, which is that we typically have better memory for recent events compared to events that were longer ago. Contrasts with “childhood amnesia” which refers to the fact that we have few memories of our very early years of life. Why do we have this bump? One theory is that it's related to the function of autobiographical memory (memory about ourselves and our own lives). This type of memory isn't meant to be a video recording of our life that we simply tap back into and replay, it's more about helping shape our view of who we are as individuals – our sense of self. In our teens and early adulthood we often are experiencing a number of first-time experiences – our first love, our first concert, going to Uni, or starting a first job. These experiences are new and unique and therefore often stand out in our memory. We might also talk about them more with others at the time, which helps us cement them into our memory more as we repeatedly bring them to mind and go over them. These first-time experiences help shape our view of who we are, what type of person I am – am I an Oasis fan or a Blur fan? Do I remember when Princess Di died? Do I love or loath the Royal Family? It also tends us to give a rosy view of the past because many of our memories from the bump are about new and exciting things. Be aware that ads and politicians will try to appeal to this. And remember that someone else's good old days might be different to yours, but you both think of them as “good”. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 6 December 2025, foodie and social media phenomenon Alice Taylor joins Jack to discuss her quickfire rise, what a day in the life of a content creator looks like, and what makes conversation around food accessibility so important. Jack discusses his pet peeve grammatical errors. Chef Nici Wickes has many ideas for edible Christmas gifts and shares a delicious Pistachio and Cranberry Biscotti recipe. Netflix is buying the studios of Warner Bros Discovery and tech expert Paul Stenhouse delves into the details of the deal. Plus, master sommelier Cameron Douglas shares his final wine pick for the year. 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.

One of the rottenest pests gardeners get on their plants are Pseudococcus longispinus, or any of its close relatives. Longispinus derived from the word meaning “with a long spine or tail”, so we're talking about the Long-Tailed Mealybug. Mind you, there are other rotters that don't look anything like these mealybugs – a variety of scale insects do the same kind of damage, which you really don't want to see in the garden. All these insects feed by plumbing their mouthparts into the veins of the plants where they extract honeydew, a sweet sap that contains Nitrogen, which makes the young bugs grow. Ah! Yes, the group of sap-sucking bugs is the only invertebrate cohort that can be called “bugs” in the naming game of Entomology! They ingest the sap and poop out honeydew. But their numbers (huge groups) and activities are debilitating for your plants, causing yellowing and ill-thrift, plus black sooty mould all over the place. The sooty mould is a fungal cover that feasts on the sweet honeydew – you can always tell the suckers because of the sooty mould! To identify these mealy-insects you'll need to have a good eyesight. The way to start your identification is to look for dense, white patches of silk all over your plants, especially over the leaves and on the stems. If you scrape off the fluffy white deposits, you'll get to the insects hiding underneath that fluff. Big ones and smaller ones all living together out of the rain and out of the sun. 1-4 mm in size. They eat a massive range of plants, both edibles and ornamentals. The spines and tails give the game away – there are also droplets of honeydew in amongst the mix. Scale insects are a different-looking critter. These pests are characterised by looking like randomly shaped and coloured pustules on the stems and leaves of the host plant. Often the “caps” of the scale insects are pretty hard; the actual insects live under the caps, often in perfect protection. Control of mealy bugs and scale insects is difficult. The white fluffy silky stuff makes the bugs waterproof – water-based sprays cannot penetrate through their skin, unless you use some systemic insecticide that is taken up by the plants. Groventive is such a systemic spray but read the label and you find it cannot be used on edible crops! Conquerer Oil and Neem Oil are non-systemic treatments that will give the immature Mealybugs a run for their money (suffocation and inhabit their feeding from the plant). But it will require regular spraying (once a week) until all bugs have starved to death or suffocated. Thoroughly cover the infested plant – and don't forget the underside of the leaves too! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Landing Chardonnay 2024, Bay of Islands. RRP from $55.00 If you're heading to the Bay of Islands this summer, then I can highly recommend a day visit to The Landing. The land's suitability for viticulture was long ago identified by the missionary Reverend Samuel Marsden. He established the first permanent European settlement in New Zealand, near where our vineyard now sits.   The Landing takes its name from its history as a place where early Polynesian and European immigrants to Aotearoa New Zealand made landfall and built new lives in a new country. And as the home of the first community where European missionaries and indigenous Māori people lived together in New Zealand The wine: A delicious wine with the stamp of site written throughout the aromas and flavours; beginning with a clay and stone mineral idea then salty seaside suggestions laced with fresh apple and grapefruit, then ripe yellow stone fruits. The layer of wood spice and lees adds complexity and texture accentuated by the acid line. Weight and mouthfeel, tautness and freshness are excellent. A wine that can be enjoyed from day of purchase or cellared for at least a year. The season: The 2025 vintage delivered one of the most balanced and high-quality growing seasons in recent years. A warm, settled spring ensured even flowering and excellent fruit set. Moderate rainfall in December and January maintained healthy canopies, while dry, sunny weather from February through March enabled optimal ripening. The food match: Homemade fettuccini ribbons in a light cream sauce with toasted pine nuts, button mushrooms and pieces of roasted salmon. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Netflix is buying the studios of Warner Bros Discovery Netflix will also get HBOMax (but I can't see that sticking around long). Shareholders of WBD will get $23 in cash and $4.50 in shares of Netflix common stock, valuing the deal at $83 billion ($144 billion NZD). The TV networks that were part of the old Discovery company, plus the Warner Brothers networks like CNN, TBS, TNT, etc, are all moving to their own publicly listed company known at the moment as "Global Networks". This is of course all subject to regulators, not just in the USA but internationally too – Netflix already operates in 190 countries. NYT is suing AI startup Perplexity The suit alleges Perplexity has illegally copied and distributed The Times' copyrighted content, including stories, videos, and podcasts. It uses this content to formulate responses to user queries. The Times says the AI also generates outputs that are “identical or substantially similar to” The Times' content. Publishers have been suing new tech companies for a hundred years, starting with radio, TV, the internet, social media, and now AI,” said Jesse Dwyer, Perplexity's Head of Communication. “Fortunately, it's never worked, or we'd all be talking about this by telegraph.” Samsung launches the tri-fold phone Apple is a single screen phone, but there are rumours it's working on a foldable screen device to be announced next year. Samsung though says, 'hold my beer', and launches a tri-fold device with a 10 inch screen. That's in addition to the outer screen. Wild. If you want one, you'll need to buy it from Korea, China, Taiwan, Singapore, UAE, or the USA. The first-generation device won't be available in New Zealand. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sean Combs: The Reckoning Unpacking the allegations behind Sean "Diddy" Combs and his Bad Boy empire, spanning decades of his life and career (Netflix). 25 Years of Location Location Location Kirstie Allsopp and Phil Spencer have been finding homes for the people of the UK. Now, as they hit their silver anniversary, Kirstie and Phil remember the happy moments and turbulent times of helping house hunters navigate their search for a home (TVNZ+). South Park New season is absolutely brilliant, massive return to form as they take on the Trump presidency with malicious glee. Stan, Kyle, Eric and Kenny are four foul-mouthed friends who live in South Park. They have several bizarre misadventures in and around town, involving both the ordinary and supernatural (SkyGo). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Giving edible gifts at Christmas is a winner I say! Some ideas take some forethought, like preserved lemons, fruit pastes, chutneys and sauerkraut, but there's plenty of other ideas that you can whip up over a day or weekend right before the big day. Think shortbreads, flavoured oils, scented salts or sugar meringues, spiced nuts, dukkah, gingerbread loaf, or one of my favourites, biscotti. Jars, bottles and small wooden or cardboard boxes can all be found in second hand shops, as can ribbon, wool, cotton etc to make them all look pretty. Tie some rosemary or bay leaves to jars and bottles for a festive look or decorate boxes with potato and paint stamps. Get creative! Pistachio and cranberry biscotti Homemade biscotti makes for a wonderful Christmas gift as it keeps well (so can be made ahead) and it's one of those things that's so much better than the store-bought variety. Makes about 30 Ingredients 3 medium sized eggs, at room temperature ½ cup olive oil (can use 5 tbsps. butter) ½ tsp orange zest 2 ¼ cups plain flour 1 tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt ½ cup caster sugar ½ cup brown sugar ½ cup roasted almonds, roughly chopped ½ cup shelled pistachios ¼ cup dried cranberries Method Preheat oven to 180 C and line a baking tray with baking paper. In a large bowl, lightly whisk eggs, olive oil, and orange zest. Add flour, baking powder, salt and sugars and stir until just incorporated. Fold in almonds, pistachios and cranberries and mix until combined. Divide dough into half. Place each half on lined tray and with damp fingers, shape into a log shape about 4cm x 30cm. Flatten slightly. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown in colour and hard on the outside but not all the way through. Let cool and use a serrated knife, slice at an angle about 1.5cm thick. Place slices back on the tray and bake for 12-16 minutes more, until firm. They will firm up more as they cool. Place on a wire rack to cool before filling jars with them as presents. Nici's Notes: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eternity In an afterlife where souls have one week to decide where to spend eternity, Joan is faced with the impossible choice between the man she spent her life with, and her first love, who died young and has waited decades for her to arrive. Twiggy A portrait of international supermodel, actor, singer and iconic British figure, Twiggy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The moment the syllables spilled from my mouth, I knew I'd screwed up. “And a repeat offender...” I said. “Verse a detective dog.” Verse. It was the opening few stanzas of last night's news, the part of the show where we tease a few of the evening's top stories. And as the opening credits played, with my microphone fader pulled down, I called out to my producer in frustration with myself. “Versus!” I said. “VERSUS.” The emails flooded in. I knew they'd be waiting for me. Polite but gently critical messages, kindly informing me that due to myriad inadequacies in the New Zealand education system, I'd used a term more appropriately associated with Shakespeare or Keats than that of the cunning pest control dog starring in the evening bulletin. But hey. Did you notice there how I used myriad? I don't know about you, but it drives me crazy when I hear people talk about a myriad OF something. It shouldn't because apparently a myriad ‘of' is perfectly correct. Myriad started its English language life in noun form. And yet anytime someone opts for ‘myriad of' instead of the adjective usage, the snooty language snob in me can't help but curl his toes. It's the same when people say less instead of fewer. There are not less than thirty days until the new year. There are fewer than thirty days. Duh. And I hate to admit it, but I'm not fussed whether you're a stranger, a colleague, or my long-suffering wife, I'm that miserable sod who can't help but wait fewer than a few split seconds before pretentiously correcting your mistake. The other one that gets my goat (and yes, it gets my goat... it doesn't get up my goat) is when anyone observes that the proof is in the pudding. The proof is not in the pudding. The proof of the pudding is in the eating. Makes sense when you actually think about it. Speaking of mastication, my Dad was recently spun into a state of despair by the repeated insistence of a prominent sportsperson that they were chomping at the bit for an upcoming contest. Chomping at the bit, rather than champing at the bit. I suppose that really would be a remarkable level of excitement. I know that language is alive. I know that language morphs and evolves. But for those of us who care to conserve usage principles and don't mind putting others right from time, there is nothing like erring while reading the news before 700,000 people, for a rude taste of one's own medicine. How quickly the corrector becomes the corrected. Myriad grammar and usage errors might get my goat, but I've learnt the hard way there are plenty of other grammar and usage tyrants champing at the bit to correct every error. Who knows if my cautionary tale will have any impact —the proof of the pudding is in the eating— but if you've learnt anything, maybe you'll make fewer errors rather than less, after listening to this verse. You know... as opposed to versus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Eighty years ago, the Nazi high command was put on trial in Nuremberg. A brand new film, named for the trials, follows a lesser-known story, that of a US Army psychiatrist tasked with determining whether the detained officials were fit to stand trial. It features Kiwi actor Russell Crowe as the charismatic Hermann Göring, Hitler's longtime second in command, and Rami Malek as psychiatrist Douglas Kelly. The film was written and directed by James Vanderbilt, best known for his work on The Amazing Spiderman and Zodiac. As much as the film is about the atrocities committed by the Nazis, it's also very much about the dynamic between Göring and Kelly. Vanderbilt told Jack Tame that one of their early inspirations was ‘Silence of the Lambs', with a person going into a cell and sitting with a prisoner. “In our film they're both trying to get over on each other a little bit, they're both trying to get something out of each other.” “I sort of loved the idea of these two men, both trying to play each other, and yet at the same time, connecting in a way neither of them saw coming,” Vanderbilt said. “That to me just felt delicious.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week Kevin Milne wants to give a boutique business their flowers. All Better is a toy repair business run by Janice in Te Awamutu. She specialises in fixing wooden puzzles for kids – a service Kevin was in dire need of after their dog caused a bit of damage to their vintage family puzzle. If you're in need of her services, you can contact her via email: jgdownhome@yahoo.co.nz LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The days are getting longer and warmer and the festival season is set to begin. Although a couple of major festivals have been cancelled, there's still plenty of events to sink your teeth into this summer. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame for a chat about how the festival landscape is shaping up. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"The great New Zealand summer calendar is generously sprinkled with some sure-fire seasonal hits to add a bucketload of fun to your family holiday. I've rounded up a selection of signature events and exhibitions, strung across the nation, that you may well want to thread into your domestic summer holiday plans." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Driven by Susie Wolff Life in the fast lane, with a perspective like no other: Formula One superstar Susie Wolff lifts the bonnet on her incredible journey to the top of motorsport, and her ambitions for what comes next. Unlucky for Some by Tom Wood In his latest gripping adventure, the world's deadliest assassin is all out of luck. Malmo, Sweden. What should have been a simple job - to kill the heir of an organised crime family - spirals out of control when assassin-for-hire Victor is shot and wounded. Forced to hide out in a hostile city while he recuperates, he doesn't realise that multiple enemies are circling to take advantage of his circumstances. Faced with a vengeful criminal organisation, corrupt officials, ruthless bounty hunters, elite mercenaries, and the most dangerous assassin he's ever faced, Victor's luck has finally run out. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The hottest season is nearly upon us, with Summer kicking off very soon. And with the heat on the way, it's likely water restrictions are on the way as well. So how can you save some water this summer? Kate Hall has a few tips: Reuse greywater wisely. e.g. Collect shower warm-up water in a bucket and use it in the garden. Place a bowl in the sink when rinsing fruit/veggies (use this water for watering plants). Water plants early or late (watering in the cool hours (morning or evening) stops evaporation). Focus on roots, not leaves; plants absorb moisture where it matters. Shorten your showers. Aim for a 4-minute shower; try playing one short song as your timer. A water-efficient showerhead can cut usage by up to 50%. Capture and reuse (keep a bucket near the washing machine or outside to catch rinse water). Wait for full loads: Run washing machines and dishwashers only when full. One less cycle can save 50–100 litres a week. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 29 November 2025, 80 years on from the Nuremberg trials, writer and director James Vanderbilt joins Jack to discuss a brand-new film that tells a lesser-known side of the story. Jack draws attention to an issue affecting tens of thousands of Kiwis and considers who should be responsible for the fallout. Margo Flanagan does her best to convince Jack avocados have a place in desserts. Mike Yardley lists the best NZ holiday hits for the summer. And Kevin Milne highlights a local Kiwi business doing good things. 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.

Most gardeners are aware that certain plants appear to be great for pollinators. Pollination is important for the reproduction of plants, and it comes in many different ways. We often just sit and watch the spectacle unfold as we have a cup of tea in front of our shed. Pollination is done through ABIOTIC ways: (wind movements) or through BIOTIC techniques (Mostly insects: bees, flies, butterflies, moths, beetles and birds). It makes sense that early flowering plants rely on early pollinating insects. Dandelions are a good example; they often use small native bees to do the job. By the way, about one-third of New Zealand's plants are wind-pollinated (think grasses and the various plants that cause hayfever). Here's a line-up of all sorts of pollinators in the group of insects. For the flowers pollinated by insects, especially bees, it's interesting to note that they have different colour vision to humans. Blue, green, violet and ultra-violet are the key colours. The blue flowers that will certainly bring in the pollinators are Ageratum, Chatham Island Forget-Me-Not, Cornflower, Delphinium, Echinops, and Eryngium, with standards such as Salvia, Phacelia, Campanula and Tweedia. When birds are getting involved in pollination (just under 10%), you'll find that Tui and Bellbirds are often at the front of the line, with silvereyes waiting for their turn. Kowhai, Flax, Rata species, and special recipients of bird beaks, such as Kaka Beak and Mistletoe are the lure for birds. Bellbird and tui with orange pollen and red flowers While most insects see things in blue, violet, and ultra-violet spectrum, birds see red and yellow. Blackbirds also see red flowers: They love to “cause trouble” in the Feijoa trees with heaps of red flowers by violently ripping the flowers to pieces… The most efficient way to pollinate the crop of feijoas!!! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Managing finances doesn't come easily to everyone, and for some, it simply takes more time and energy than they have. So if you're in the market for a financial adviser, how should you go about picking one? Ed McKnight has a few tips. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Much has been happening in the tech world as of late, and Gorilla Technology's Paul Spain joined Jack Tame to delve into some of it. Two major New Zealand banks are now forcing behavioural and device tracking with no opting out – is this truly about fraud? Warner's new deal with Suno lets artists like Ed Sheeran opt in for AI versions of their voice – will this create real new income for musicians or just flood the charts with AI tracks? And over 1,000 Amazon staff say the company's AI sprint is causing mass layoffs and huge environmental damage – is the human cost of “warp speed” AI finally becoming clear? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Stranger Things The final season. In 1980s Indiana, a group of young friends witness supernatural forces and secret government exploits. As they search for answers, the children unravel a series of extraordinary mysteries (Netflix). The Beatles Anthology The Beatles' landmark “Anthology” documentary series has been restored and remastered. The series' original eight episodes trace the legendary journey that began in Liverpool and Hamburg and soon captivated the world. They bring to life the timeless stories — of Beatlemania, the band's groundbreaking arrival in the USA, their role at the forefront of the 1960s counterculture, their spiritual exploration in India, and their eventual breakup. And through it all, the constant thread: the music, always the music. There is now a completely new Episode Nine, including unseen behind-the-scenes footage of Paul, George and Ringo coming together between 1994 and 1995 to work on “The Anthology” and reflecting on their shared life as The Beatles (Disney+). Here We Go In this hilariously unfiltered portrait of family life, the Jessops are the subject of their son Sam's amateur film project, as they go about their mundane but chaotic lives (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Train Dreams A logger leads a life of quiet grace as he experiences love and loss during an era of monumental change in early 20th-century America. Christmas Karma A hard-nosed businessman, Mr. Sood, is forced to confront his past, present, and future over one fateful Christmas Eve —guided by three unforgettable spirits— on a journey toward compassion and redemption. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you are looking for a sweet treat that's super easy to make, requires minimal ingredients, and is completely moreish – these avocado chocolate truffles are the perfect option. They will satisfy your sweet cravings while also making you feel great! Makes: 8 Time: 15 minutes Ingredients 2 avocados 150g dark chocolate, melted 2 tbsp coconut oil, melted 2 tbsp maple syrup 1 tsp sea salt Method Place all of the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Spoon the truffle mixture into a bowl and place in the freezer to set for 2-3 hours. Once set, roll the mixture into balls and coat in cacao nibs or cacao powder. Store in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's an issue burning away at the moment, affecting thousands or tens of thousands of us that I don't think is getting anything like the attention it deserves. Three additional coloured sand products tested positive for asbestos contamination this week. Two on Monday, another on Thursday. Additional brands sold at discount shops around the country to add to the products already announced in the recall earlier this month. I'll put my cards on the table: our 8-year-old is at a school that has been affected by the recall. They tested and found traces of asbestos and a number of classrooms have been affected. Even though the testing found no traces of asbestos in the air, for at least the remainder of the year, the school has been thrown into a situation where they're trying to teach the same number of kids in far fewer classrooms. It means ad-hoc, cramped learning spaces. In two classrooms they're going to have to remove all the carpet, wall coverings, and soft furnishings. Other classrooms require professional deep-cleans. It's not clear if the work will be finished in time for term one next year and the clean-up is going to cost tens-of-thousands of dollars. But as we were informed in a letter home this week —surprise, surprise— no one wants to pay for it. The school's insurance won't cover it. The Ministry of Education won't cover it. Kmart, which in the school's case had sold the dangerous product, has directed them to the manufacturer in China. As it stands, the school is expecting to have to cover the cost of the clean-up. Money that should have been spent on educating children will not be repaid. How many New Zealand schools face a similar situation? All we know is that as of yesterday, nine schools or early learning centres had tested positive for asbestos. 129 were still waiting to confirm testing results, although the Ministry of Education says it's just a voluntary reporting system at the moment (which seems inadequate!), so the number could be higher. You can hardly blame the schools for the situation. They weren't negligent. It's not like they knowingly painted their classrooms with lead paint. They bought a children's product that should have been ideal for creative learning from reputable retailers with an entirely reasonable expectation that it would be safe. And now that this has been discovered, it's not like they can just ignore it. Schools that are testing are doing the right thing. Even if the risk is super low, what parent would allow their child to be taught in a classroom that was testing positive for asbestos? What teacher would teach in it? In my view it would be a great injustice if the schools that are doing the right thing in handling this crisis ended up significantly out of pocket. Surely under our consumer guarantee and product safety laws, retailers can't simply abdicate all responsibility and palm off the affected schools to distant manufacturers in China? And even if legally they can, then surely there is a moral responsibility to do the right thing. One obvious measure I think would help the affected schools is a collective legal effort, so they're not all fighting for redress or compensation in isolation. It's the sort of thing you'd reasonably expect the Ministry of Education to help with coordinating once testing results are confirmed everywhere. There's no telling where this whole thing will end up. But while at least their classrooms will be safe, if schools end up footing the bill for all the testing and clean-up of a product they reasonably trusted, at the end of the day it'll be our kids who pay the price. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.