Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Are you better off than you were two years ago? Are you bathing in the soothing waters of the long-promised economic recovery? Is your future more secure? Is your food more affordable? Your insurance? Your rates? Is your road smoother? Are your children better educated? Is your water less polluted? Or do you think some of our most senior leaders' time and attention is better used fussing over measures like the order of words on our passports and the transfer of payWave fees from a surcharge to the main bill? The latest folly, announced by our Foreign Minister on a week in which Gaza was stricken by starvation, and the US thanked us for opening an FBI office here by increasing proposed trade tariffs, seeks to enshrine the name ‘New Zealand' in law. Ah yes, what a pressing issue. Tell you what, between that and the passport reordering, those tens or hundreds of thousands of kids who've fled to Australia are gonna be clambering over one another to get back home. Here's my view on the name of our country: call it what you want. You want to call it Aotearoa? Fine. You want to call it New Zealand? Fine. You want to combine the two? Go for it. You do you. The thing about language is it's fluid. It changes over time. There's a reason we don't all speak in Shakespearean prose. And it has nothing to do with compulsion. To those who say an increasing use of Aotearoa is some sort of affront to our collective values, I'd have thought freedom of expression is a value more worthy of protection. And for what it's worth, if New Zealand First was trying to enshrine the name ‘Aotearoa' in law, I'd have the same response. One of the justifications given for this member's bill is that using Aotearoa threatens NZ Inc., our international brand. Is there any evidence that our exporters are being compelled en-masse to send their products overseas with the name Aotearoa, instead of New Zealand? Who, pray tell, is risking that international brand value by forcing this change on the packaging of our top products? I'd suggest it's a pretty unsophisticated exporter who would voluntarily confuse their international customers. Or, you know, maybe this just isn't really a big deal. I've a real distaste for performative politics that either drum up angst about a problem that doesn't exist or do something symbolic at the expense of real action. I never cared for the trend of councils and governments declaring Climate Emergencies and patting themselves on the back, while simultaneously doing nothing new in a policy sense. There is a very simple way to see through this specific bill. Consider the timing. If the name of New Zealand is seriously so threatened, why didn't New Zealand First introduce this bill 12 months ago? Why not six years ago? Why not negotiate it into the coalition agreement when they formed a government? My instinct with this kind of move is always the same. Don't ask ‘What does this achieve?' or ‘Why is this an issue? Instead, ask ‘what are they try to distract us from?' The ‘meh' jobs report? The lame economic growth figures? The gang numbers ticking over 10,000 for the first time ever, this week? Or could it possibly be the fact that a few hours before the New Zealand (name of state) member's bill was announced, Australia and the UK achieved comparatively lower trade tariffs with the United States, while our government's top officials were apparently surprised to learn that our tariff had been increased? Actually, maybe we should call ourselves Aotearoa. Who knows? It might have confused Donald Trump just long enough to keep us at 10%. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A man of many talents, Cliff Curtis is a Hollywood star hailing all the way from Rotorua. He's known for his metamorphosis, carving out credits in a mixture of major franchises and more personal productions, and his latest project feels like a blend of both. Curtis is starring in Jason Momoa's ‘Chief of War', which tells a tale of the turn of the 18th century, when the four kingdoms of Hawai'i were at war. He told Jack Tame he's very proud and humbled to be a part of this production. “As a storyteller in the screen industry for the last three decades at least, we've managed to tell a variation of stories from our small corner of the world,” Curtis said. “But you know, this series, when led by the likes of Jason Momoa and his co-creator Thomas Pa‘a Sibbett, they can bring scale to the narrative.” “It's a big deal for us.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The debut album from Australian musical group Folk Bitch Trio, ‘Now Would Be a Good Time' is filled with beautiful harmonies and dark wit. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the album and the way the trio puts their own spin on the genre. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Summer Island by Kristin Hannah Years ago, Nora Bridge walked out on her marriage and left her daughters behind. She has since become a famous radio talkshow host and newspaper columnist beloved for her moral advice. Her youngest daughter, Ruby, is a struggling comedienne who uses her famous mother as fuel for her bitter, cynical humour. When the tabloids unearth a scandalous secret from Nora's past, their estrangement suddenly becomes dramatic. Nora is injured in an accident and a glossy magazine offers Ruby a fortune to write a tell-all about her mother. Under false pretences, Ruby returns home to take care of the woman she hasn't spoken to for almost a decade. Nora insists they retreat to Summer Island, to the lovely old house on the water where Ruby grew up, a place filled with childhood memories of love and joy and belonging. There Ruby is also reunited with her first love and his brother. Once, the three of them had been best friends, inseparable. Until the summer that Nora had left and everyone's hearts had been broken... Red Star Down by DB John A family man is poisoned at Kuala Lumpur International Airport. A Russian intelligence officer is assassinated in a Washington hotel. And a real-estate mogul and reality-TV star has just become the 45th President of the United States. A terrible conspiracy is about to unravel and three people find themselves caught in the crosshairs... A CIA agent whose past missions refuse to stay buried. A student in Moscow who dares to challenge the Russian president on live TV. And a North Korea spy embedded in the White House who secretly admires the man he is working to undermine. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Tucked between North Wales and the serene good looks of the Lake District, gritty, vital Liverpool provides an indelible and grounded dose of "real" urban England. It proved to be one of my favourite destinations on my whistle-stop romp with Trafalgar's Real Britain tour. Yes, Beatles fans flock to Liverpool to learn about the Fab Four's early days, but the city's appeal extends far beyond those towering music legends." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With winter well and truly set in, some are dreaming of clearer skies across the sea. Kevin Milne has a trip to London coming up, him and his wife deciding to pop over and visit two of their sons on their home turf. Although this is a trip to see family, there are a few interesting details that Kevin shared with Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blue Zones are an area of interest for many, geographical locations in which people live longer than average. Some such areas are in Sardinia, others in Okinawa in Japan, Nicoya in Costa Rica, and Ikaria in Greece – all of which have a significant number of people living into their 90s or hundreds. But why are these people living so much longer than average? Dr Dougal Sutherland delves into the research and reasons behind the extended lifespans of those in Blue Zones. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 2nd August 2025, Kiwi acting legend Cliff Curtis joins Jack to discuss his starring role in the brand-new series spearheaded by Jason Momoa, Chief of War. Jack considers the bill that would enshrine the name New Zealand into law. Dougal Sutherland picks up on Jack's interest in Blue Zones, joining the show to share what contributes to longer life in these areas, and just how realistic it is to achieve in alternative environments. And hot off judging awards for the best New Zealand pie, Nici Wickes gives in to Jack's sweet side with her personal recipe for pie of the year. 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.

Plants need a couple of really important chemicals to give them a healthy life and growth. We all know the top three elements: Nitrogen (N), Phosphate (P) and Potash (K), but Magnesium (Mg) should also be in the line-up of important nutrients A lack of any of the mentioned nutrients will show specific symptoms on the Plants: A lack of Nitrogen (which supports leaf-growth) makes leaves looks small and weird – often quite yellow, especially the older leaves. Nitrogen is often transported by the plant from old leaves to the younger leaves, to give them some small chance to survive and keep photosynthesis going. Phosphorus deficiency (important for root growth): Purpling of leaves; you can see that clearly in tomatoes. In severe cases the leaves will start to die around the edges. A lack of Potash (potassium – stimulates flowers and fruits) often shows up in the form of chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves in the area between the veins). Even the young leaves are struggling and show wrinkling, which often causes them to die. Few Flowers and/or fruit is a dead give-away. A Magnesium deficiency (stimulates Photosynthesis) is characterised by distinct curling of the leaves as well as that Interveinal chlorosis (yellowing between the veins) mentioned before. Sometimes the leaves get a red tinge or lots of brown dead spots on the leaves… a real mess! The Micronutrients are needed by plants in much smaller quantities, yet they are absolutely important to keep your plants in good condition A lack of Micronutrients can create all sorts of troubles: stunted growth, dark green veins in yellowing leaves, die-back of stems and twigs, smaller leaves with die-back, leaf scorching, and discolouration… It's not difficult to find the symptoms. There are many types of fertilisers on the market: the “general fertilisers” often have an NPK code on the package – some are granular, some are in liquid form. Higher N will stimulate green matter (leaves). Higher Phosphate is great for root crops. Higher K stimulates Flowering and Fruit set. But the “Trace elements” are the packets that will look after most of the Micronutrients; we often forget those! Micronutrients also come in different formulae – some gardens (and soil conditions) need more than others. You can even buy some Nori (のり) at the supermarket: Japanese seaweed! It's harvested from the ocean, the largest nutrient trap on the Planet! It has lots of trace elements that are useful for your garden, made from rinsed seaweed. Check that it has less than 4%, so you know it has been rinsed, and the amount of salt has been reduced – too much salt is not good for the plants! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Two Rivers 'Convergence' Sauvignon Blanc 2025, Marlborough RRP from $22.00 Pungent, ripe, varietal and high energy. Aromas of red bellpepper and apple, fresh citrus peel and white peach, there's also green mango and cape gooseberry as well as fresh basil. On the palate – youthful, equally high energy with laser-like acidity, flavours of fresh fruits led by citrus, then tropical and white stone fruit. A high energy wine best enjoyed from day of purchase through 2029. Exceptional value. Food match: One of the many classic matches with sauvignon blanc is Oysters. Not everyone can do oysters, so steamed mussels work just as well. These first two are match of contrast – salty food needs a high acid wine. Another rule with food is that a richly textured food can have a higher acid wine for contrast; a dessert with cream or ice-cream should have a high acid wine like a sweet sauvignon blanc for contrast, as well as weight from the sugar in the wine. The match options with sauvignon blanc are endless. The season: A gift to the NZ wine sector with near perfect growing conditions. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Microsoft becomes the second $4 trillion company All fuelled by the increased revenue from the Cloud Computing business, which provides compute for AI services. This is a huge win for Microsoft – the company that was absolutely written off in the mid 2000s and was expected to go the way of Yahoo. Microsoft is still second place to Amazon Web Services in the Cloud category. Their CFO announced they'll spend $30 billion on its AI infrastructure investments in the next quarter. Apple was the first US company to hit $1 trillion in 2018, first to hit $2 trillion in 2020, first to hit $3 trillion in 2022, so by that math, it should have hit $4 trillion in 2024, but Nvidia beat them. Nvidia only became a $1 trillion company in 2023 – two years ago! For context, $4 trillion would be like giving all 5.3 million New Zealanders USD $750,000 (NZD $1.2 million). Apple says Trump's tariffs will cost it another $1 billion That's on top of the $800 million the tech giant spent on tariffs during the June quarter. Quarterly revenue jumped 10% to $94 billion between April and June. Apple moved a chunk of iPhone production to India to avoid some of the China tariffs, but President Donald Trump is threatening 25% tariffs on Apple if it doesn't start producing more in the USA. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Assassin A retired assassin reunites with her estranged son, but her dangerous past catches up with them, forcing them to go on the run together while uncovering a dark conspiracy that threatens their relationship (ThreeNow). Outrageous In the 1930s, 6 sisters refuse to play by the rules, and their often-scandalous lives make headlines around the world. Their tales involve betrayal, scandal, heartache, and even imprisonment (Neon). Murder in a Small Town Karl Alberg moves to the idyllic coastal town of Gibsons to become the new police chief and soothe a psyche that has been battered by big-city police work. Unfortunately, the gentle paradise has more than its share of secrets, and Karl needs to call upon all the skills that made him a world-class detective in solving the murders that, even in this seemingly idyllic setting, continue to wash up on his shore (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It Was Just An Accident What begins as a minor accident sets in motion a series of escalating consequences. A co-production between Iran, France, and Luxembourg and explores political repression in Iran and morality. Bank of Dave 2: The Lone Ranger Dave Fishwick takes on a dangerous and formidable opponent than the big banks: Payday Loan Companies. Dave recruits Jessica and Oliver to his cause. Together they embark on a journey that will bring down an entire industry of predatory corporations. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

An apple pie, plain and simple, with no sugar added – these are a real favourite served with ice cream, cream, and cinnamon. Makes 6 individual pies Ingredients 1 kg apples, granny smith 1 cup water 2 x 400g blocks sweet short pastry Ice cream to serve Cream to serve Cinnamon to serve Method Set the oven at 200 C fan bake with an oven tray already in the oven to heat up. Grease large-sized (Texan) muffin tin. Prepare the apples by peeling, coring, and slicing, and placing with 1 cup of water into a saucepan with the lid on and gently cook for about 15 minutes. They should retain their shape without turning into pulp. Drain in a colander, reserving the juice which can be reduced to a syrup by simmering it for 5-8 minutes. Cool the apples completely before you start filling the pies. Please note apples do not need added sugar, as they are sweet enough. Now roll your pastry out and cut into circles about the size of a small saucer. Gently line the muffin tin holes with pastry. Patch up any tears or holes. Fill to 3/4 with the apples and then cover with another smaller round of pastry and pinch top to bottom to seal. Use a sharp knife to make a small cross on the top (this lets the steam out). Place on hot tray and bake for approx. 25 minutes near the bottom of the oven, as this makes sure the bottoms cooks. The pastry should be a lovely golden colour. Keep checking to making sure the edges of the pies aren't burning.  Cool in tins then gently remove from their tins. Serve with ice cream and clouds of whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon with a small jug of the reserved apple syrup. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Tour de France is reaching its final legs, with drama, gruelling climbs, and triumphant podiums all playing out across the world. Craig Geater is up close and personal with the professional cycling world, a bike mechanic with over 20 years of experience working with the Tour de France. He's worked with some of the sport's greatest riders and most successful team, and his currently the head mechanic for Australian outfit Team Jayco AlUla. Geater joined Jack Tame to break down what it's like working on something as grand as the Tour de France, his time as Lance Armstrong's personal mechanic, and the unique nature of the competition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking care of babies can be complicated. With so many new tasks and new things you have to teach to a child, it can be tough sometimes to try something a little bit different. Since she gave birth, Kate Hall has been using Elimination Communication, otherwise known as infant potty training, and she joined Jack Tame to give an update on how that's working. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The fifth studio album from British singer-songwriter Billie Marten, ‘Dog Eared' is an album filled with nostalgia. The title comes from the practice of dog earring books, Marten having a fondness for marking up the books she reads – underlining passages, scribbling ideas in margins, and folding corners. It tells the story of who she was as she wrote and recorded the album, each song touching on a different childhood memory. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the release. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Few British cities can match eye-catching York and its wondrous layers of history. Northern England's walled city was founded by the ancient Romans, was conquered by the Vikings and also boasts a trove of medieval riches. The city's storied history is woven into virtually every brick and beam. All these ingredients underpin York's star-power, serving up a stirring sense of Ye Olde England, when tripping the UK. But it's so much more than just a living museum." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Forsaken by Matt Rogers In the twilight of his career, Logan learns he has been a vessel for furthering government interests, not a rogue hitman for a band of vigilantes. The revelation destroys him. But when Jorge Romero – an investigative reporter and Logan's oldest friend – is brutally and inexplicably murdered, Logan allows his fury to deliver him from despair. With an ally in Alice Mason, a homeless witness with a target on her back, Logan goes to war. Against whom, he isn't sure, but he knows powerful forces are at work behind the scenes. Now, to deliver justice, Logan and Alice must confront their demons and win a savage battle that could destroy their lives... even if they survive. Not Quite Dead Yet by Holly Jackson In seven days Jet Mason will be dead. Jet is the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in Woodstock, Vermont. Twenty-seven years old, she's still waiting for her life to begin. I'll do it later, she always says. She has time. Until Halloween night, when Jet is violently attacked by an unseen intruder. She suffers a catastrophic head injury. The doctor is certain that within a week, the injury will trigger a deadly aneurysm. Jet has never thought of herself as having enemies. But now she looks at everyone in a new light: her family, her former best friend turned sister-in-law, her ex-boyfriend. She has at most seven days, and as her condition deteriorates she has only her childhood friend Billy for help. But nevertheless, she's absolutely determined to finally finish something: Jet is going to solve her own murder. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 26 July 2025, a man with up close and personal access to Tour de France, Kiwi bike mechanic Craig Geater joins the show to discuss his 21 years of experience on the Tour, his former years as Lance Armstrong's personal mechanic, and what it's like to travel behind his Jayco Ulula crew as they ride the mountains. Jack considers the unstoppable force of a viral moment. Francesca Rudkin gives her thoughts on whether the new Fantastic Four film meets expectations. Mike Yardley shares the sights and sounds of ancient British city York. And Estelle Clifford shares her favourite tracks from Yorkshire-born musician Billie Marten's new album Dog Eared. 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.

Times are tough, many businesses unable to survive the cost of living crisis and downturned economy. Cultural institutions and smaller businesses alike are closing up shop, and Kevin Milne is dismayed by the loss of Kiwi enterprises. One in particular, the colourful Matakana ceramics firm Morris & James, is particularly saddening for him. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The number of Kiwis making withdrawals from their KiwiSaver due to hardship is on the rise. In the year to June, more than 50,000 were made, compared to 18,000 five years ago. Early withdrawals can have compounding effects on someone's financial future – so what other options are there? Lisa Dudson joined Jack Tame to delve into the topic and offer up some other ideas. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Last week we started to look at the jobs bugs do on Earth. This topic was launched by some teachers during the Blake Inspire sessions, out there in Nature. It became a bit of a game to question what their role is in ecological systems – especially critters that are usually perceived as a pain in the bum. Gardeners often complain about almost every creature that inhabits the soil; holes and tunnels, little hills of clay, and messy poos in vegetable gardens, lawns, and orchards are often not seen as beneficial; but many certainly are! These insects are the larvae and pupae of Crane Flies. Soil cleaning and dead wood in the soil – recyclers maintaining soil health. Pollinators are everywhere: butterflies, flies, native bees, wasps, parasitic wasps, hoverflies, beetles, thrips – it's a huge gig on the planet! These laay eggs in their hosts. Population control. Geotrupes spiniger – the Paua dungbeetle, introduced in New Zealand to put dung back into the soil. It not only puts fertiliser where it is most efficient but also returns carbon back into the soil where it is most needed (rather than in the air!). Then there are Mosquitoes! One of the most hated insects in our garden: some species bite humans. Males do not bite – they are great pollinators of our flowers. Mozzies are food for native birds, dragonflies, spiders, etc. Those famous mosquito larvae (often known as “wrigglers”) go up and down the pond and other water habitats. The very cool and useful thing they do is cleaning the “bacterial soup”. Wrigglers are also food for native aquatic insects: backswimmers, water-boatman, water striders, native fish, etc. If you think about it: Mozzies do some great jobs. To fuel this ecological system, all we need to do is make a tiny donation… … and be a bit more tolerant! LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the news? Fonterra has announced an On Farm Services incentive programme for qualifying farmer-shareholders. The scheme allows farmers who meet their cooperative difference standard, a baseline performance and efficiency standard, to receive what is effectively a $1,500 yearly subsidy to invest in on-farm technology or services. Ranges from animal performance tools from genetics companies, as well as pasture and data optimisation tools, and on-farm planting to improve carbon sequestration. Pasture Management: Apps and dashboards, AI and satellite imagery to manage and optimise pasture on farms. Data optimisation: Farmers deal with so much data flowing in through so many on-farm touchpoints, some services aggregate all that info into key insights farmers can rely on to make good decisions. Animal performance: Animal testing on their cows. Why it matters Obviously a massive deal – this contributes so much to on-farm costs and gives farmers a comfortable buffer to experiment with more technology that could be a massive help. It contributes to the trend of growing tech use on-farm by farmers. In a 2023 survey by DairyNZ, 18% of farmers reported using cow wearables (smart monitoring devices like collars or ear tags), compared to 3% in 2018. This growth translates to more than 820,000 cows now equipped with devices. It's great news because technology is helping farmers be more efficient in a world where they face more regulation and compliance requirements. Fonterra/NZ has a great reputation internationally for producing highly efficient, high-quality milk that's desirable compared to many other countries. It drew the attention of food conglomerates Mars and Nestle, who are kicking in to help fund the subsidy. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Washington Black Follows the 19th century adventures of George Washington "Wash" Black, an 11-year-old boy on a Barbados sugar plantation who must flee after a gruesome death threatens to turn his life upside down (Disney+). The Game Detective Huw Miller is haunted by one case he failed to solve. As he settles into retirement, he suddenly thinks he has found the elusive killer in the shape of his new neighbour Patrick Harbottle (ThreeNow). The Hunting Wives Sophie trades city life for East Texas and falls into a wealthy socialite's magnetic orbit - where a clique of housewives hide deadly secrets (TVNZ+). LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There's no other way to say it – this cake is magical! The way the simple batter settles into layers of custard and sponge seems impossible and yet it works, and the tamarillos are all tart and jammy and YUM. Ingredients 3 large eggs, room temp 2/3 cup sugar 90g butter, melted 1 ½ cups milk, lukewarm 1 tbsp vanilla extract Generous 1/2 cup plain flour 1 ½ cups scooped and chopped tamarillos (about XX) Icing sugar for dusting cake Whipped cream or yoghurt to serve Method Preheat oven to 190 C. Grease and line a 20x20cm cake tin with baking paper. Put a saucepan on with milk and butter and heat to lukewarm – this will melt the butter. Separate eggs into two mixing bowls. Beat the egg yolks and sugar until pale and light. Add in flour and mix until combined. Slowly add warm milk, beating until everything is well mixed together. Beat the egg whites until the stiff peak stage. Fold this into the batter gently, a third at a time until completely combined.  The batter is very thin at this stage, but don't worry. Pour batter into the baking dish and scatter over chopped tamarillo. They will sink into the cake as it bakes. Bake for approx. 50-60 minutes or until the top is browned and cake doesn't wobble. Cool and dust with icing sugar. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Fantastic Four: First Steps Forced to balance their roles as heroes with the strength of their family bond, the Fantastic Four must defend Earth from a ravenous space god called Galactus and his enigmatic Herald, Silver Surfer. Four Letters of Love Nicholas and Isabel are made for each other, but as destiny pulls them together, family, passion and faith drives them apart. As they embark on journeys of heartache and misplaced love, fate soon contrives to pull the threads of their lives together. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the end it was only a matter of time. It took a day or two of virality for the CEO caught cheating in the now truly infamous Coldplay kiss cam to publicly announce his departure from the company. I'm frankly surprised it took much longer for the woman caught canoodling in his arms to do the same thing. She was, after all, the Chief People Officer for the same company. On top of what I can only imagine is a personal calamity, the incident strikes me as a fairly grave professional conflict of interest. Indeed, the company that employed them both has announced that she is now gone, too. I'm not gonna pretend to be all high and mighty. Like however many hundreds of millions or billions of people around the World, I found myself titillated by the video. It's so dumb. So clumsy. Perfect fodder for a viral sensation. But in the last few days, as the stories have continued, I've also found myself thinking a bit more about what the whole thing says about us more generally. As consumers and sharers of information on the internet, loling, liking, and sharing, there is no way for us to collectively manage a degree of proportionality in a viral screw-up. They did the deed and they can suffer the consequences, you might argue. Sure, but at the same time, these people didn't commit a crime. They have been dishonest, absolutely. Unprofessional? For sure. But while I don't want to be too much of a downer, I can only imagine that right now, it feels like the price they've each paid is the complete and absolute destruction of their entire lives. And even if you do think that in this instance they deserve the consequences whatever they might be, what's to say you'll feel the same way the next time someone goes viral? There is no controlling the wildfire. And once it's shared and shared and shared again, the scale of a viral humiliation compounds faster than at any point in human history. And how about their families? Would you want to find out your husband or partner or parent was cheating? Most of us might say yes, painful as it might be, that truth in that situation is for the best. But what if it meant a fifth of the world's population found out at the same time? What if it meant every student at your kids' school knew what had happened and would bring it up for the next twenty years. Again, I'm not being miserable and saying it wasn't funny. It was funny! My point is that once a moment like this hits the internet, there is absolutely no controlling it. And there's a little sliver of this whole saga that has felt a bit Black Mirror. A few years ago, I read that amazing book, ‘So You've Been Publicly Shamed', by Jon Ronson. It had some extraordinary examples of people who'd gone viral for saying or doing really dumb, offensive things. But it also articulated something primal, something a bit ugly, a hunger in as a species to hunt as a pack, and the collective glee we take in casting someone aside and making an example of them in public. No policy, no force on Earth can stop a viral moment. It just has to burn out. There is no firebreak, no finger in the dyke. That video will have been viewed by eyeballs in every country and on every continent. But while that video said a lot about human nature, arguably its spread around the world has said just as much. Are you not entertained? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who else could pull off the animal transformation of one of the world's biggest rockstars but Wētā FX? Wētā is well known for its visual effects mastery, and so when Robbie Williams said “make me an ape!”, it's only natural that they were the ones for the job. The man responsible for Williams' simian visage in Better Man was Visual Effects Supervisor Luke Millar, who was nominated for an Oscar for his work. A visual effects supervisor is responsible for coordinating all the different elements that comprise the visual effects of a production – most of which is invisible in many movies. He told Jack Tame it's about balance – everyone always wants more for less, and so being creative and efficient is the name of the game. When it comes to Better Man, Millar got involved after working on the pre-visualisation work for the musical sequences before shooting began. “After seeing a couple of those sequences, I read the script, and that was me,” he said. “I was all in at that point to, to want to take on the challenge.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Written over the course of twenty years, from 1993 to 2019, 'Strange Visions 1' details the apocalypse in a sci-fi infused, post-modern satirical manner. It's the work of underground artist, producer and engineer Quaint, part one of a project called 'Polar Extremes'. Estelle Clifford joined Jack Tame to give her thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"It's undoubtedly Britain's equivalent to our Queenstown Lakes district. Windermere and the Lake District is England's favourite national park, a sprawling tourist honeypot that stretches across hundreds of square kilometres of rugged Cumbrian countryside, woodland valleys, shimmering tarns and lakes – all backed by strikingly craggy mountains. It was the 18th century Romantic poets who captured the world's imagination, igniting the region's first tourism wave. Since then, the stature of the Lake District has only grown as a getaway destination, the wave has never crested, culminating in the district securing World Heritage status just eight years ago." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

While we all have difficulty remembering and placing faces sometimes, some people are unable to do it altogether. Prosopagnosia, otherwise known as face-blindness, is a psychological condition that renders people unable to recognise faces – sometimes including their own. Dr Dougal Sutherland joined Jack Tame to delve into this rare condition. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Polkinghorne by Steve Braunias In Polkinghorne, literary journalist Steve Braunias takes readers on an extraordinary and often chilling journey through the most high-profile murder case in modern New Zealand history. With unparalleled access to the key players, Braunias offers readers his unique insight into the investigation, the trial and the astonishing revelations that kept the New Zealand public utterly transfixed. The death of Pauline Hanna in her home in Remuera, and the arrest of her husband, eye surgeon Dr Philip Polkinghorne, led to an epic trial that played out like a scandalous expose of rich Auckland life. Braunias pieces it all together and presents it as an unforgettable opera - including an extraordinary encounter that will leave readers stunned. Fascinating, engrossing, and filled with unforeseen turns, Polkinghorne goes deep inside the courtroom case that shocked a nation and explores the lusts and torments that we try to conceal. This is a must-read for true crime enthusiasts and anyone who has followed the case and wondered about the truth behind the headlines. Broke Road by Matthew Spencer A young woman is found dead in her isolated town house in rural Red Creek, an up-and-coming wine tourism destination outside Sydney. No forced entry. No signs of struggle. And her geologist husband has an alibi, though it's not exactly solid. While a tabloid journalist is quick to spin her own damning narrative, homicide detective Rose Riley is questioning everything she sees—especially in a rapidly developing community that already seems on edge. While Riley and her partner, Priya Patel, work the case with a local detective, crime reporter Adam Bowman follows his own leads. Then forensic evidence matches that of a pair of unsolved murders elsewhere in two other married women, murdered months apart yet in the exact same manner. Riley realizes she's dealing with a serial killer. But one whose victims weren't random. These women were chosen, watched, and targeted for a purpose. As the secrets in this small town emerge, the suspects mount. Now Riley must unearth the deadliest secret of all—the true motive behind the murders—before another woman dies. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just spent a week with 30 teachers in various environmental locations of Auckland. The Sir Peter Blake Trust do this every year under the umbrella of BLAKE Inspire. Learning outside is part of the curriculum: water quality, Matauranga Māori, rockpools, school gardens (with pigs etc), climate change, StarDome, political policy simulation, corporate sustainability, and good, old nature nerd stuff in forests and reserves. Often the question comes up: what good do Mosquitoes do? And beetles? And weta?, etc. Those are also the questions I receive on talkback radio – makes sense? Teachers can use this knowledge in the curriculum and hence create Nature Literate students. We need those invertebrates (they really don't need us!). In fact, when it comes to bugs that “invade” our homes, it pays to remember that we built our homes right on top of theirs. They are pretty generous about that, really: nice house you built on top of mine – might just move in with you! They find keratin (wool) and carpet beetles are the expert in recycling that stuff – been doing it for millions of years. That's their job! No-one else can eat and digest keratin. They find spilled spaghetti bolognese behind the stove: roaches have been recycling food waste and other organic materials for many, many millions of years! No worries – yum! They find warm appliances on stand-by (TVs and Sky Boxes, amplifiers, etc). That means that microscopic moulds grow inside – enter booklice! They graze those moulds. Some (tiger slugs) slither towards the cat bowl, where milk and biscuits are the basis of their human-house diet. In nature they clean up all sorts of random protein and old food items. These are the caterpillars of the Indian Mealmoth. In our pantry they eat old, spilled muesli and in your garden shed they clean up mouldy slug and snail baits without any medical problems what-so-ever. And there are many more “Jobs on the Planet” that are filled by Invertebrates, Fungi, Birds, and loads of organisms that literally run our planet LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for 19 July 2025, Oscar-nominated visual effects artist at Wētā FX, Luke Millar joins Jack to discuss just how he turned one of the world's biggest pop stars into a chimpanzee for the Robbie Williams biopic Better Man. Plus, Millar shares his insight on AI's role within filmmaking. Jack pays tribute to the legendary Fat Freddy's Drop producer Chris Faiumu. Kevin Milne tells of his attempt to forge a pop music career with the help of the Fat Freddy's band. Orange you glad it's citrus season? Nici Wickes shares a delicious orange cake recipe that stays fresh for days. And Dr Bryan Betty drops in to discuss the newest weight loss medication available in New Zealand: Wegovy. 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.

A new weightloss medication is now available in New Zealand – accessible on a private, nonsubsidised script. Dr Bryan Betty joined Jack Tame to discuss Wegovy – what it is, how you use it, the side effects, and why people are seeking medical treatment for their weight. What is Wegovy? A once-weekly injection for weight loss known as a ‘GP-1 agonist'. It mimics a hormone in the gut that reduces our desire to eat and controls sugar in the blood. Developed originally for diabetes but found to help with weight loss, especially at higher doses. The same drug at lower does is known as Ozempic, which is used for diabetes. Is obesity a problem in New Zealand? Why medication? Shouldn't we just eat better and move more? We do have problem in New Zealand with obesity – it's a major heath issue. Over a third population is classified as obese, and it costs the economy $2 billion a year in healthcare costs. A good diet and exercise are critically important for weight loss. However once above BMI 30, it can be very hard to lose weight despite a person's lifestyle, so medication can be a useful adjunct for some people in weight loss. How do we use it and are there side-effects? Once-weekly injection. You adjust the dose every month until you reach the maximum dose. Side effects can include nausea, bloating, loose bowel motions, burping. More serious ones can occur but are very rare: pancreas inflammation, bowel obstruction. Most people have few issues. Is there a cost and how long do you take it for? It is not funded by Pharmac and costs about $500 a month or $6000 a year. Many studies now show that when you stop, the weight can go back on. There is a shift to thinking these medications may need to be used long-term, much like a blood pressure or diabetes medication. It is safe for long term use. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Weddings aren't cheap – well, most of the time. In New Zealand, the average wedding costs between $35,000 - $45,000, but depending on your tastes and needs, it can grow much higher. The recent wedding between Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez cost somewhere between $20 million and $50 million USD – roughly 200 times more than what the average Kiwi spends. However, one columnist points out that compared to their wealth, Bezos and Sanchez actually spent quite little. So Kevin Milne is wondering, is it Bezos who's being excessive, or is it the rest of us. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ChatGPT is ready to take on more involved tasks Agents are the next phase of the AI evolution, in which the AI can go away and can complete multistep tasks on its own. So, you could give it a bunch of information —PDFs, emails, spreadsheets— and ask it to find the narrative or insights and create a PowerPoint. It'll then go away, do it, and let you know when it's done. There's less hand holding and more 'reasoning' from the AI. It can also browse the web for you and take actions in the browser on your behalf –imagine a scenario where you could give it a photo of the contents of your fridge, give it your food preferences, tell it to come up with a meal plan, and even order the additional ingredients for you. Valuations are skyrocketing for these companies Bloomberg is reporting that OpenAI rival Anthropic is in the early stages of planning another investment round that could value the company at more than $100 billion. The mad scramble for talent is getting crazy Meta just poached two of Apple's key Artificial Intelligence leaders for its Superintelligence Lab. Two staff from Anthropic (Claude, the ChatGPT rival) left for another AI company, but quit after just a few days and returned to Anthropic. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Untamed In the vast expanse of Yosemite National Park, a woman's death draws a federal agent into lawless terrain, where nature obeys no rules but its own (Netflix). Sneaky Pete Marius, a fraudster, finds himself followed by a dangerous criminal whom he once robbed. Soon, he disguises himself as Pete, his cellmate from the past, for safety (Netflix). Game On NZ Netball legends return for a high-stakes tournament, battling international stars to prove they've still got it. But they won't do it alone - six promising young athletes will join them. Can the past & future of netball unite? (ThreeNow) LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace: A Prayer for Peace Artist Robin White (Ngāti Awa) has spent more than five decades creating work which ranges from iconic New Zealand landscapes to collaborative tapa cloth. Grace: A Prayer for Peace, directed by Gaylene Preston, traces White's evolution as an artist, and her creative response to the world around her. Filmed in Aotearoa, Japan and Kiribati, the documentary follows her working with collaborators and reflecting on what drives her creativity. Grace offers a meditation on living a creative life in motion — shaped by community, faith and a deep engagement with the Pacific. Universal Language Two women find frozen cash, try to retrieve it. A tour guide leads tourists around Winnipeg sites. A man quits his job and visits his mother. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This cake is literally crammed full of the intense and fragrant flavours of oranges, and it stays moist for days. A slice with a cup of tea seems to make the world a better place. Makes one loaf tin cake but doubles nicely if you wish to make a larger cake. Ingredients 1 cup raw sugar Rind of 2 oranges + 1 lemon – avoid the white pith, I use a potato peeler Flesh of one orange 1 egg ½ cup oil, I use grapeseed or olive oil ½ tsp salt ½ cup thick natural yoghurt 2 tbsp. lemon juice 1 ¼ cups plain flour 2 tsps. baking powder Method Preheat oven to 180C fan bake. Grease and line a loaf tin with baking paper. In the bowl of a food processor blend the sugar and citrus rind until the rind is chopped very small. Add the orange flesh. Blend until smooth. In a mixing bowl beat the egg and sugar/citrus mix together until it is thick and creamy. Add the oil and salt and continue beating until mixed. Stir through the yoghurt and lemon juice. Add the flour and baking powder and combine until just mixed (over-mixing will produce a tougher, drier cake). Pour the thick batter carefully into the tin, smooth the top if need be for a better-looking cake at the end. Bake for 35-45mins, until a skewer comes out clean. Leave for 10 minutes to cool before turning out of tin. Ice with vanilla and citrus zest frosting.  Nici's note: To avoid your precious baking from slumping, leave it to settle and cool slightly before turning cakes and muffins out of their tins. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I played the trombone in high school. I know what you're thinking: squeaky-voiced Jack running through a few scales on his big brass slide? Hello Ladies... But honestly the fact that my instrument was seen as a bit quirky was kind of an attraction for me at the time. What the trombone wasn't —at least back then— was very cool. To my mind it was good for jazz band and good for a blast in orchestra, but I wasn't creative enough to find or even search for a different sound with my trombone. Brass had its place and that was that. But the year after I left high school, Based on a True Story hit record stores. I'd never heard of Fat Freddy's Drop, but I was played a song by a friend and I bought the album the day it was released. I know it was 2005, because I can literally remember buying the CD from a Sounds record shop. I can remember walking down Madras Street in Christchurch with it burning a hole in my bag, so excited to play it. Let me tell you, I've never thrashed an album so much in my life. The way it starts off so sparse, those simple plunking piano keys, and then builds and builds and builds. The sound was so exciting. So different. So cool. Man, I thought. If I'd known this kind of music existed, this blend of dub and reggae and jazz and soul, with its brass component, too! As much as I have enjoyed Glenn Miller arrangements, I might have branched out a bit further with my high school music mates and the old ‘Bone. I'm no celebrated music afficionado but it occurs to me that Fat Freddy's Drop are a prime example of musos' musos. They're a band which loosely formed from a crew who just like jamming. They're a band that loves to play live, that still just loves to improvise. And, at least from the outside, they seem utterly unconcerned with the trappings of rock'n'roll stardom, with glossy magazine covers, fame and riches. Forget your 3-minute, four-chord tricks to sell into the top 40 radio stations, if you've been to a Fat Freddy's concert, you'll know it can be hard sometimes to know when a song begins and ends. I also think there's a real, distinct New Zealand flavour to their music. There's something Pacific, something relaxed, unshaven, and unconcerned. The sound of the Kiwi summer road trip. For the year I lived in the States, I'd always crank it up any time I had an American in my apartment as if it were a statement of identity. It probably says a lot about the band's aspirations, motivations, and priorities that despite their incredible international success, the individual members of Fat Freddy's Drop aren't all household names in this country. I know next to nothing of their private lives. And of all the members, I reckon I'd only have been able to name two, off the top of my head, if you'd asked me earlier this week: Dallas (friend of the show), the singer, and Mu. Chris Faiumu founded Fat Freddy's Drop. He produced their music, and as DJ, his beats, blends, and samples were the foundation of so much of their art. I feel my experience with his work will be similar to that of so many others in New Zealand and around the world. I feel really saddened by news of his death, and so grateful, so grateful, for the music he made that seriously has enriched my life. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.