Podcasts about Jack Tame

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Chris Luxon's political future is hanging in the balance ahead of tomorrow's big meeting. Will he survive, or will he be rolled? Will Erica Stanford or Chris Bishop replace him? What do we make of Chris Hipkins' plan to help small businesses join the AI revolution? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 11 August, 2026, will Christopher Luxon stay or go? We've expert analysis and commentary from New Zealand Herald political editor Thomas Coughlan, senior political correspondent Barry Soper and The Huddle with Jordan Williams and Jack Tame. A tax expert explains why New Zealanders owe the IRD more than $9 billion in tax. And Auckland University professor Peter Shepherd on developing a weight-loss drug where you don't suppress your appetite and can still have a tipple. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this weeks show, Chris catches up with Katy, who's a ride leader for weekly Carlton Neighbourly Rides, goals of connecting community through cycling, building rider confidence and making new social contacts. Katy talks about her journey from riding in Amsterdam, to becoming a ride leader, ride details and more!  Follow Neighbourly Rides on instagram.The Nicer Wellington Street crew are collecting stories of people's experiences of danger on Wellington Street. Can you share yours, anything you've experienced or witnessed, please contact them either on instagram or contact page.News includes please ensure your method of transport is recorded in Tuesday nights Australian 2026 census, Yarra Councils messy fall out from banning Lime e-bikes: sign the petition: Keep Shared E-Bikes in Melbourne, The Age: Answer in 10 seconds or lose your fleet: The e-bike row dividing Yarra, The Fifth Estate: Can Melbourne break its cycle of failed e-mobility sharing schemes? and a local resident facing transport difficulties due Yarra councillors vote on 14 July, The Age: Car clash: Private vehicles and the true price the nation pays.Marco te Brömmelstroet is currently touring New Zealand and Australia, watch this interview with Jack Tame. He's also appearing next week at Bicycle Network: Urban Mobility Futures with Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet.'Twenty years from now, people will look back on high speed limits we have in cities now and find them just as unbelievable as smoking indoors - a relic of the past. That's the dream of a visiting Dutch academic.'Program musicScratching, Malvern StarThe Durruti Column, Time Present and Time Past

Labour leader Chris Hipkins has categorically ruled out working with New Zealand First if elected in November, unfortunately for Labour and Mr Hipkins the response from the media and many voters is "why did this take so long?"Simeon Brown faced off against Jack Tame on Q&A over the weekend where he struggled to firmly back leader Christopher Luxon and couldn't explain why one of the targets for the health service is to increase staffChristopher Luxon was on RNZ this morning where he had to explain Nicola Willis' "no new tax on working people" when they are going to reverse the discount to fuel excise tax etcMight check out poll of polls in NZ Herald, and check out how St John Ambulance is overworked like never before++++++++++++++++++++Like us on Facebook.com/BigHairyNetwork Follow us on Twitter.com/@bighairynetworkFollowing us on TikTok.com/@bighairynetworkSupport us on Patreon www.patreon.com/c/BigHairyNewsCheck out our merch https://bhn.nz/shop/Donate to our work https://bhn.nz/shop/donation/

Bryan Adams is a rock music legend. With 16 albums under his belt, he's estimated to have sold between 75 million and 100 million records and singles during his 45 year career. His most recent album, ‘Roll with the Punches', harkens back to his earlier releases, with the rock sound that's made him so popular over the years. And off the back of an extensive string of international dates, Adams is bringing his ‘Roll with the Punches Tour' to New Zealand next March. Adams has seen major success, but his drive to create has never waned. “I'm not one of those people that sort of, rests on my laurels and is just sort of quite happy to go back and do the same thing over and over,” he told Jack Tame. “I enjoy the creativity and I really like, you know, putting songs together.” “I've still got the melodies in my head, so I gotta get them out.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emerging Kiwi musician Isla Noon has remixed and revamped her first album. ‘Out of Body' was released in 2025, and explored themes of identity and detachment through a combination of synth heavy electronic pop and delicate vocals. ‘Out of Body (REDUX)' was made in collaboration with producer Justyn Pilbrow, taking seven tracks from the original album and pushing the electronic sound harder. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the EP. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Simeon Brown: Energy prices, hospital pressures, and National's polling With power prices in the spotlight, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has become one of the key figures in Christopher Luxon's cabinet. He joins Jack Tame to explain why the Government isn't moving to break up the gentailers, the cost of maintaining frontline health services, and whether National's caucus backs Christopher Luxon. The last hold-outs against housing development With just one new housing development, the town of Prebbleton, on the outskirts of Christchurch, could increase its total number of households by over 25 percent. Birchs Village would bring 530 new houses to Prebbleton. After facing difficulties getting resource consent, the development has been listed with the Government's fast-track legislation. Q+A reporter Whena Owen meets the development's would-be neighbours, who are fearful of what their future in the town holds if it goes ahead. New laws: Will voters be turned away? In late 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith celebrated the passing of a new law which he said would speed up the voting count after a general election: unlike previous elections, in 2026, no one will be allowed to enroll once early voting starts, 13 days before election day, November 7. It's driving Electoral Commission Chief Executive Karl Le Quesne to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible are aware of the changes and enrolled before they miss out. But even with no disruption to people's ability to vote, Le Quesne says this change won't deliver the efficiency savings the Government advertised. He joins Jack Tame to share the Commission's election plan, including changes to the way EasyVote cards will be sent. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

In late 2025, Justice Minister Paul Goldsmith celebrated the passing of a new law which he said would speed up the voting count after a general election: unlike previous elections, in 2026, no one will be allowed to enroll once early voting starts, 13 days before election day, November 7. It's driving Electoral Commission Chief Executive Karl Le Quesne to make sure as many New Zealanders as possible are aware of the changes and enrolled before they miss out. But even with no disruption to people's ability to vote, Le Quesne says this change won't deliver the efficiency savings the Government advertised. He joins Jack Tame to share the Commission's election plan, including changes to the way EasyVote cards will be sent. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

With power prices in the spotlight, Energy Minister Simeon Brown has become one of the key figures in Christopher Luxon's cabinet. He joins Jack Tame to explain why the Government isn't moving to break up the gentailers, the cost of maintaining frontline health services, and whether National's caucus backs Christopher Luxon. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Today's a critical juncture in the run up to November's election. National will set its party list, meaning those MPs who either aren't standing in an electorate or are unlikely to win an electorate seat will be keenly waiting to see the numbers next to their names. If the current polling trends don't improve, National's in line to lose something in the vicinity of ten or eleven MPs from its caucus. Perhaps even more concerning to the party than the total number of MPs who'd be lost, is the experience under threat. MMP maths always makes this a bit of a tricky equation, but even if the party loses several of the electorate seats it currently holds, very few MPs are likely to get in on the list. Perversely, the party might find itself quietly hoping to lose more electorates in order to protect some of its most senior ministers. In an absolute worst-case scenario, any or even all of Nicola Willis, Chris Bishop, Gerry Brownlee, and Paul Goldsmith could be gone. A result like this would be devastating for National, even if the party is returned to government. Just consider for a moment the influence ACT and NZ First have been able to exert in the coalition this term, and now imagine a significantly smaller National caucus without some of its most senior and experienced Cabinet ministers. The list rankings are surely a bit of a penny-drop moment for members of the caucus. Unlike many of my media colleagues, I haven't thrown myself into frenzied speculation over Christopher Luxon's future at every opportunity, but as many have already noted, this was among his worst weeks as Prime Minister. Some will say his patronising comments to the Rotorua business audience and his off-the-cuff musings in this studio over the future of MMP were simply communication gaffs from a Prime Minister who by his own admissions, isn't always as strong a communicator as some of his predecessors. The problem with that of course, is that communication is such a big part of the job. Not just speaking to media, but speaking to voters, and being aware of how your communication is received. The thing I found most interesting about the Rotorua comments was that the PM apparently lacked the EQ to see that his bland, empty corporatese-riddled answer wasn't landing. Not only that, but his office doubled down. They released the transcript. And only when that garnered even more of a backlash did they pull back and apologise. The same thing could be said of his MMP referendum. It's hard not to be left with the impression that at times he lacks an instinct for understanding how his comments will land. And in an election campaign where those skills are going to be continuously tested, it constitutes a not insignificant liability. As National confirms its list rankings, the question isn't simply if Christopher Luxon can lead the party to an election result that allows them to form a government, it's what that government looks like. And whether the party risks being so diminished in coalition that it's a win in name only. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Markets fluctuate, which can make investment a tricky business. Property may seem like a guaranteed investment, but according to Ed McKnight, the number one mistake people make is assuming past returns guarantee future performance. He joined Jack Tame to dig into the details to try keep listeners from making this mistake. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 5 August, 2026, former Prime Minister Sir John Key defends Christopher Luxon's use of a Defence Force flight after a National Party fundraiser. A disability advocate tells us why she's not happy about guide dogs getting ID. A marketing expert on whether Jetstar charging for carry-on baggage is a good move. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Nick Mills discuss whether women taking weight-loss drugs are enhancing their chances of getting jobs. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and ZB Wellington Mornings host Nick Mills joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! New research has indicated weight-loss drugs are helping women get jobs. What do we make of this? New data shows the unemployment rate has reached 5.6 percent - the highest in 11 years. How bad does this look for the Government in an election year? What do we see changing in the next three months? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Outspoken former Children's Commissioner cut short in role Dr Claire Achmad was given around five weeks' notice that she would be exiting her role of Children's Commissioner. First appointed to a five-year term to advocate for young people in New Zealand, that became a one-year term in 2025, and when she signed off on Friday July 31st, she left office two years earlier than she'd expected. She says that she has been a "fair and balanced critic" of Government policy when it comes to child poverty, and that she has not been told by the Minister for Social Development, Louise Upston, why she wasn't brought back. Dr Achmad sat down with Jack Tame in her final week in the role. Spy allegations: NZ's relationship with Russia in focus Russia's principal security service says a Russian citizen has been detained in the country's far East. The man is accused of spying for New Zealand's SIS. Jack Tame sits down with Russia's Ambassador Stanislav Krans at the Russian Embassy in Wellington to ask more about the case. And nearly four and a half years into the military invasion of Ukraine, and following 35 rounds of New Zealand sanctions against Russia, he asks about the relationship between Russia and New Zealand. Most people want fewer cars, Dutch academic says Twenty years from now, people will look back on high speed limits we have in cities now and find them just as unbelievable as smoking indoors - a relic of the past. That's the dream of a visiting Dutch academic. Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet holds the Chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam and spoke at the Public Transport Association conference at Te Papa this week. While there, he caught up with Jack Tame. "Discriminatory" law focus of Green MP's bill Migrant families can be split apart when family members are denied visas on the basis that their disability would be a burden to New Zealand's health system, a Green MP says. Green MP Lawrence Xu-Nan's members bill would remove the ability to discriminate and carve out a way for affected families to challenge these decisions: by making a complaint to the Human Rights Commission. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Dr Claire Achmad was given around five weeks' notice that she would be exiting her role of Children's Commissioner. First appointed to a five-year term to advocate for young people in New Zealand, that became a one-year term in 2025, and when she signed off on Friday July 31st, she left office two years earlier than she'd expected. She says that she has been a "fair and balanced critic" of Government policy when it comes to child poverty, and that she has not been told by the Minister for Social Development, Louise Upston, why she wasn't brought back. Dr Achmad sat down with Jack Tame in her final week in the role. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Twenty years from now, people will look back on high speed limits we have in cities now and find them just as unbelievable as smoking indoors - a relic of the past. That's the dream of a visiting Dutch academic. Professor Marco te Brömmelstroet holds the Chair on Urban Mobility Futures at the University of Amsterdam and spoke at the Public Transport Association conference at Te Papa this week. While there, he caught up with Jack Tame. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Russia's principal security service says a Russian citizen has been detained in the country's far East. The man is accused of spying for New Zealand's SIS. Jack Tame sits down with Russia's Ambassador Stanislav Krans at the Russian Embassy in Wellington to ask more about the case. And nearly four and a half years into the military invasion of Ukraine, and following 35 rounds of New Zealand sanctions against Russia, he asks about the relationship between Russia and New Zealand. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Hayley Sproull wears many hats. Along with being one of the hosts of ZM's Breakfast show, she's a television host, a podcaster, an actor, writer, and a comedian. She's also newly single, and her recent dating escapades have led to the creation of her newest comedy show – ‘Sproull On The Prowl'. “Every year I make a comedy show, and every year it gets harder to think about what the theme is going to be,” she told Jack Tame. “I don't have a lot of hardship, you know, I haven't really overcome a lot in my life – so it gets harder.” In the past Sproull has done shows about things like her body, being in a long-term relationship, and what it's like being child-free by choice and living that life in your thirties. “Then I was like, I don't know what's next, and then I went through a massive break up.” “While it is very sad to go through a life-changing breakup, there in the back of your mind, you're like, “there's your content.”” It's been a fair bit of time since Sproull last dealt with the dating market —15 years to be exact— and things have changed quite a bit. “Lots has changed,” she told Tame. “Physically for sure things have changed ... but I think, like, I'm so much more confident, right? “And you are very aware of what you will and won't accept from people now. I don't have a lot of, and I'm not looking, I'm not out there looking for a husband or anything.” “I'm just looking for decent people to have a good time with.” And that's not even mentioning the dating apps, which Sproull now has extensive experience with – Tinder, Feeld, and even Raya, the dating app for the rich and famous. “I mentioned one of them in my show, a super famous singer-songwriter with a number one hit song that's dated lots of celebrities popped up and I swiped on him because I thought it'd be funny,” she explained. “I screenshotted it because I wanted to tell everyone who I saw and the app kicks you off immediately.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A and Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union joined in on a discussion about the issues of the day - and more! One expert has voiced support for the Government buying one-way strike drones, saying it's the right move for our military. Do we need these? What do we make of this? Do we need facial recognition tech in retailers over paywave and using your card? Should we be worried about possible security concerns? There's hope offshore oil and gas exploration permits keep flowing, after Australian company EnZed Energy threw their hat in the ring. Do we see more of these coming in? What about the election year factor? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Ryan Bridge for Wednesday, 29 July, 2026, Health Minister Simeon Brown says he wants more transparency around lockdowns if we're faced with another pandemic. He explains the government's response to the COVID-19 Inquiry report. We speak to a former Major General in the New Zealand military about why buying attack drones is the best move we could make—even if it is a little late. Drill, baby, drill! The first permit for oil exploration since the ban was overturned has been given the green light. Ryan asks Resources Minister Shane Jones whether any more are coming down the pipeline. And on The Huddle, Jordan Williams and Jack Tame express reluctant optimism about the idea of using facial recognition to make everyday purchases. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Touted as one of the most beautiful places in the world, there really is something special about Banff. Combining the striking stature of the Rockies with the snug, quaint charms of small-town Canada, it's the sheer splendour of accessible and abundant wilderness that casts you under its spell. Just as visitors to Sedona routinely talk about “the healing energy” that seeps from its stones, Banff also brags about its revitalising powers. It's widely considered as a sacred place, ever since indigenous people were drawn to the region thousands of years ago, taking to the healing waters of the natural hot springs and gathering various plants for medicinal purposes. It was First Nations guides who introduced Europeans to the area in the 1800s, and by the 1880s the natural hot springs on Sulphur Mountain were a wildly popular Victorian tourist attraction. It was the railway that opened Banff's treasures to the world. Mercifully, the Canadian government had the vision and wisdom to safeguard nature's riches by creating Canada's first national park in 1885, Banff National Park. They run a very tight ship in this town. To live in Banff, you must be an eligible resident. This generally means your primary daily employment must be located within the Banff National Park boundaries. The permanent population is only 9000. There are no vacation homes. Buying property for holiday use or weekend getaways is strictly prohibited. Even if you own property, you must actively work in the park or rent it to someone who does. Similarly, residential property cannot be used for short-term rentals (like Airbnb) unless the property is owner-occupied and licensed specifically as a Bed and Breakfast. Perhaps some over-crowded but underpopulated New Zealand tourist towns should consider this model, like Tekapo. The main artery of Banff Ave is a swanky tourist mecca, lined with lodge-like hotels, many built in Rocky Mountain style, with the accent on lodgepole pines, limestone, and steeply pitched roofs. I love how all the side streets are named after local animals. I even saw roaming elk prancing down Elk Street. The best time to visit Banff depends on whether you snow-dappled vistas, wildflowers or larch season. I suggest the spring months are best, with show-mopped peaks and thinner crowds. Wildflower season runs from July to August, but it's chocka with visitors taking advantage of the warm weather for high-alpine hiking. “Larch madness” is a short, specific window from mid-September to early October, when the larch tree needles turn a brilliant gold. The beautiful natural display draws dense crowds to popular trails like Larch Valley. After alighting from two ravishing days aboard the Rocky Mountaineer from Vancouver, it fast became apparent that my short time in this mountain oasis would not be enough to do full justice to its surrounding wonders. But here's a round-up on some tried-and-true must dos. For the view of views, do not leave town before you have taken a ride to the rooftop of Sulphur Mountain, on the Banff Gondola. The eight-minute ride to the summit of 7,486-foot mountain delivers a horizon-wide alpine panorama. Six distinct mountain ranges unfurl their grandeur before you, along with the Bow River Valley and the town of Banff itself. Beyond the top station, the boardwalk trail climbs even higher, leading you to Sanson Peak. Alongside savouring the snow-flecked scenery in the heart of the Rockies, I was also intrigued by the remnants of the Cosmic Ray Station, perched on top of Sulphur Mountain. This throwback to the 1950s became Canada's most important cosmic ray observatory, contributing to our understanding of how the sun effects the earth's environment. Needless to say, even in summer the mountaintop temps can be chilly. If you need a warm-up, just below the gondola base station, Banff Upper Hot Springs will put some pep in your step. Discovered by Canada's First Nations people, they've been regarded as sacred waters for centuries, rich in minerals like sulfate, calcium, bicarbonate, magnesium and sodium. Give yourself a therapeutic soak in the toasty waters, that average 39C, gazing at the sprawling heft of Mount Rundle. Savour some solitude on an easy, in-town hike, just off the downtown thoroughfare of Banff Ave. The Bow River Trail follows the north shore, while the Bow Falls Trail hugs the south side. The south shore is particularly scenic if you head east to the Bow Falls Viewpoint. It's also a dreamy spot for a photo of the waterfall and the “Castle in the Rockies”, the Fairmont Banff Springs hotel. Waterfall hikes top the list of things to do in Banff any time of year. Johnston Canyon is a cracker, close to town and easy. The walkway is attached directly to the canyon walls. It takes you right to the thunderously noisy Lower Falls and then up to the taller Upper Falls. In winter, the canyon completely transforms as the waterfalls freeze into massive blue ice pillars. You'll need ice cleats to strike out on the ice walk. Good eats? In the heart of Banff town, in Bear St, Bison is the go-to for "Rocky Mountain comfort food," with an emphasis on slow cooking. As the name suggests, it's a great place to try bison dishes—bison tartar and slow-cooked braised bison short rib are signature dishes—but there's also Wild British Columbia halibut, wood-fired duck, and Alberta beef striploin. Sunday brunch buffet is a celebrated pastime at the Fairmont Banff Springs, the iconic “Castle in the Rockies.” The setting is postcard perfect - exactly why the Banff Springs Hotel was built by the Canadian Pacific Railway company in 1888 to woo the world to the rugged Rockies. Make a brunch booking at The Vermillion Room to nosh on signature dishes like smoked Wild Pacific salmon and slow-roasted Alberta beef. Be sure to add a side of maple brownies.Banff has a soft-spot for fondue, a hangover from the hordes of Swiss guides who were recruited over a century ago to spirit visitors through the Rockies. If you're up for fondue with a difference, head to the Grizzly House. Nearly 60 years old, it's a dining experience that's hands-on, unconventional, and uniquely Banff. Hot rock meat is served raw and cooked at your table. Alongside prime cuts of Alberta beef and fresh seafood, you'll find wild game and exotic meats including ostrich, elk, bison, frogs legs, alligator and rattlesnake. Like the classic Swiss cheese and chocolate fondues, they're all designed for sharing. Across the Banff area, a sequence of jewel-like lakes are the stars of the show, tinted a dazzling turquoise hue due to the presence of glacial flour (ground up rock particles). The dazzling Moraine Lake, Abraham Lake, Lake Minnewanka and Lake Louise are the best in show. Hike the Lake Agnes Tea House trail through gorgeous old-growth forest which does indeed bring you to a quaint old tea house on top of a mountain, just north of Lake Louise. Built as a refuge for hikers, it started serving tea in 1905, and still does today. Their hearty homemade soups, will hit the spot, too! Just off the Trans-Canada Highway close to the town of Banff, soak up the tranquil Vermilion Lakes, a network of marshlands and lakes. The lakes have wonderful views of jagged Mount Rundle, the town's signature peak. It's an awesome spot for picnicking, paddling, relaxing, and reflection photography. Grab a rental bike from town and pedal your way around this soothing slice of solitude. I didn't have time to explore the Icefields Parkway on this trip, but I will be back to do it. Many fellow travellers in Banff were raving about this 230km-long drive, connecting Banff National Park with Jasper National Park. Powerfully rugged mountain scenery, glaciers galore, and a gob full of wildlife including moose, wolves, bighorn sheep and grizzly bears: the Icefields Parkway comes highly recommended. A hotel guest remarked to me that it felt like the road had been carved inside the earth, with massive mountains clinging to the Continental Divide. If you're up for some cultural dabbling, check out the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies. Founded by the late Peter and Catharine Whyte, two Banff artists, the museum exhibits artworks and artifacts relating to the cultural heritage of the Rockies. Many of the earliest photos of Banff National Park can be found here, and the gallery of prized landscape paintings are sublime. Where to stay? One of the newest offerings in Banff is the Otter Hotel, delivering a winning blend of comfort and nature. This four-star mountain luxury hideaway is in the uptown district, on Banff Avenue. It's conveniently close to the bustle of downtown – just a ten minute walk away, but you're also blissfully removed from the tourist throb, tucked away in a calming forest setting. That's what Otter Hotel really excels in providing, a calmer escape, wrapped in nature's splendour. It's nailed the sweet spot, basking in the charm of Banff at a relaxed pace. You'll definitely want to dine on-site at one of Banff's newest upscale culinary destinations, Good Folk. Refined Canadian flavours and an intimate ambiance are to the fore, with exquisitely prepared dishes like bison burgers, Alberta wild boar chop, King Cole duck breast and Icelandic Arctic char. Their creative cocktails are a masterclass in wizardly mixology. The hotel's thoughtfully designed rooms feature contemporary comforts, elevated finishes, and inviting spaces to relax after an intrepid day out exploring. Surrounded by towering lodgepole pines and framed by sweeping Rocky Mountain views, nothing beats unwinding in the rooftop hot pools or lounging around the outdoor fire pits, drinking in the dreamy views of Cascade Mountain right in front of you. It's an elevated oasis of hospitality. All hotel guests also receive a complimentary ROAM transit pass, which is like a hop-on, hop-off bus, zipping you around all of Banff's top sites, with a high frequency schedule. otterhotel.com After soaking up the best of Banff, Calgary Airport is just a 90 minute ride away and Banff Airporter is the trusted ground transportation provider, with a comprehensive shuttle schedule. Highly-rated for their convenience, comfort and reliability, Banff Airporter operates a year-round, stress-free shuttle service to and from Calgary Airport and the mountains. For over 28 years, this locally owned and operated company has provided a dependable link, between the heart of the Rockies and the airport. Just sit back, relax and gorge on the scenery, as you pass by the serrated peaks spanning south of Banff, like the gorgeous Three Sisters, before the mountains give way to the rolling prairies surrounding Calgary. banffairporter.com Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB's resident traveller and can be heard each week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's been yet another week of yet more unsettling news. The conflict in the Middle East appears to be escalating again. As of this morning, we face even higher tariffs in the U.S than under President Trump's previous measure. But if there's one piece of unsettling news I think we probably haven't grappled with sufficiently, it's the latest humbling episode with one of the world's biggest AI companies. OpenAI admitted yesterday that one of its new models has autonomously broken free of its shackles, escaped from the walled-off environment where it was supposed to be safely tested, gained access to the wider internet, and successfully hacked another company. Legally it's a grey area. There's a pretty strong argument that this was a crime. If a person did it, theoretically they could be charged. But it wasn't a person. It was an autonomous AI model going to fairly extreme lengths in order to solve a problem that had been posed by its creators. Again, it was supposed to be contained. Those same masters who posed it a challenge had thought it was confined in what they call a sandbox, a sort of digital playpen where you can wall in a model and stop it from escaping to the outside world. But like a toddler who pulls themself up and climbs out of a cot, this model got free. AI models are now so good at exploiting cyber vulnerabilities, they can exploit the vulnerabilities of their creators. Ultimately, the model solved the problem it had been set. But at some cost. There were heaps of details that made this whole episode particularly interesting. For starters, it looks like OpenAI didn't really understand what its own model was doing. They couldn't tell in real time that it had escaped and was roaming the internet at large. They couldn't pull a metaphorical power cable out of the wall, because they only realised what it had done after the fact. But if there's one thing to be grateful for in this instance, it's the target of the AI hack. It wasn't a bank or a crypto-currency exchange or a weapons system. It was a start up called Hugging Face which works as an interface for open source AI. If anything, the boss of Hugging Face sounded kind of stoked that his business had been targeted. Of course this is the sort of thing that experts have been warning about for ages. At the most extreme end of the AI doomerism scale, they've suggested these systems could ultimately decide humans are an inconvenience and that the world would be a much better place if computer systems were in charge. And arguably one very important step on the road to AI Armageddon is this - a model breaking free. If you can't be bothered engaging with AI, or even if you think AI is overhyped...this week marks a significant milestone. In one sense, it is incredibly impressive that an autonomous system, operating completely free of human control, is able to pull off something with this complexity. In another sense, it is incredibly unsettling. If this is where the technology is today, who can honestly say where it might be in five or ten years' time? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Roading crews and emergency vehicles are assessing the damage following a shallow earthquake in the central North Island this morning. The 5.9 magnitude struck south of Taumaranui just before 5am, and was felt by more than 20,000 people, some in the South Island. The Manawatū-Whanganui Emergency Management Group says minor slips have been reported in the area, and motorists should take care while driving. Kevin Milne felt the quake this morning, and he joined Jack Tame to discuss the experience. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 22 July, 2026, netball's ANZ Premiership is thrown into more doubt. We talk to Stars general manager Jane Bennett about staff contracts ending in a matter of days. Post Primary Teachers Association president Chris Abercrombie explains why barely half of students are passing NCEA numeracy tests. Napier MP Katie Nimon responds to accusations by New Zealand First rival Stuart Nash that she's lazy for taking months of maternity leave. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Maurice Williamson on whether they're surprised P pipes are being sold in stores. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Stuart Nash has copped some backlash after criticising opponent Katie Nimon over her move to take a few months off after giving birth. Was this out of line? Is the ANZ Premiership over and done? We've heard three teams have have been told their contracts end in a matter of days. Are we worried about this? The Government will be launching a review after meth pipes were spotted in retailers. What do we make of this? Should we be concerned? Did One News get it wrong in putting so much FIFA World Cup final coverage ahead of Ryan Fox's Open win? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paul Henry has worked in broadcasting for more than forty years, becoming one of the most recognisable names in New Zealand television from his time as a presenter, and more recently serving as a board member for TVNZ. On Tuesday he announced his candidacy for the ACT Party list. He says while the decision came together quickly, he wants to be in parliament to create a better future for his ten grandchildren. He joins Jack Tame to discuss what that future might look like. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Gin Wigmore is exploring the duality of life in her new album. Her first studio album in eight years, ‘Beautiful Mess' is a chronical of the last decade of her life – the highs and lows, love, loss, divorce, parenthood, and the complexities of rebuilding oneself. “Life is messy,” Wigmore told Jack Tame. “It's not all, you know, roses and apple blossoms ... and to tell the full picture of anyone's story, there's gonna be beautiful parts, there's gonna be messy parts, there's gonna be heartache, loss, love... all of it.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A tale told in two halves, Gin Wigmore's new album deals with the duality of life. ‘Beautiful Mess' delves into the past decade of her life and the way she navigated love, loss, divorce, parenthood, and the complex nature of rebuilding herself. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sometimes what seems like the best option isn't always the best. When it comes to investing and KiwiSaver, it may seem like frequent swaps to whatever seems to be bringing in the best return is a good decision, but that may not be true. A recent study looked at what would happen if someone switched their fund managers every year, moving to the company that got the highest return over the last twelve months – turns out, they'd actually make less than if they'd stayed. Ed McKnight joined Jack Tame to chat about the study and the dangers of chasing winners. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne feared he might “never see my wife again” as she drove off in a car with Sir Sam Neill for horse-riding lessons, but the equally shy pair were instead like “two 15-year-olds on a first date”. The former Fair Go presenter this morning shared a touching story of when his wife Linda Milne helped the future movie superstar prepare for his role in the 1979 Australian period drama My Brilliant Career. Linda's experience matched the contrast between the “commanding characters that the great man played and the quiet, almost shy, person he was personally”, Milne told Newstalk ZB's Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. Tributes for the Kiwi star of the big screen best known for his leading role in Jurassic Park have been shared around the world since he died aged 78 of pneumonia in a Sydney hospital on Monday. “I've a story that goes back to when Sam had just become a household name in New Zealand [after] he had played the lead role of Smith in Sleeping Dogs [in 1977]”, Milne told Tame. The couple had known Neill for a year or two when he called asking if Linda could coach him on how to manage a horse on hills, as he'd just landed a role in My Brilliant Career. Sam Neill needed to hone his horse-riding skills for a starring role in 1979 Australian period drama My Brilliant Career. “Sam was a lad of gentle charm and exceptionally good looks. For Linda, a very shy 22-year-old, the thought of spending an afternoon on her own with the gorgeous Sam Neill freaked her a bit. “Anyway, they head off in the car together, two gorgeous people on the journey to where Linda kept her horse. I feared I might never see my wife again.” But Linda quickly discovered the accomplished actor whose future credits would include The Piano and Hunt for the Wilderpeople was “every bit as shy as she was”. “As they drove along, not only was she struggling to get a sentence out to Sam, but the star of Sleeping Dogs was having equal difficulty thinking of what to say to her. “They were like two 15-year-olds on a first date. For a long time, she says, there was awkward silence.” A stop at the dairy helped break the ice when his wife Linda Milne, left, helped actor Sam Neill prepare a role in 1979's My Brilliant Career, says former Fair Go presenter Kevin Milne, centre. Also pictured is Tommie Milne, the youngest of Kevin and Linda Milne's four children. Photo / Hagen Hopkins Fortunately, a shop came into view, Milne said. “Sam broke the ice … ‘Shall we stop at the dairy and I'll buy some Summer Rolls?' A very sweet offer from the movie star, which Linda accepted. “Communications must have improved enough for Linda to show Sam how to handle a horse on hills, because the following year we watched him do it up on the big screen, so strikingly, so elegantly in the highly successful My Brilliant Career.” Cherie Howie is an Auckland-based reporter who joined the Herald in 2011. She has been a journalist for more than 20 years and specialises in general news and features. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What's the biggest moment of serendipity or coincidence in your life? I can't say I've had anything too spooky; a few random encounters that have made me think ‘whoa...' I was in Versailles in France, standing in a gift shop, perusing a bookshelf, when I realised the person standing immediately next to me was an old friend from Christchurch. Neither of us had any idea the other was in Europe, let alone France, let alone the palace. A minute or two either way and we would have been ships in the night. There must be so many of those narrowly missed connections in life. Certainly no coincidence or serendipity in my life can come anywhere near that of the world's greatest football player and the young man whom many people believe is the closest thing to his heir apparent. The photo has been everywhere over the last few days, but if you haven't yet seen it... it's a doozy. In 2007, Lionel Messi, a young star on Barcelona's globally-famous football team, was roped in to a photoshoot for UNICEF. Lamine Yamal's parents entered a competition in the local newspaper to win a photoshoot for their baby with a famous sports star. The rest is history. In the photos, Messi cares for a chubby little baby. In one photo he gives him a bubble bath. In another, he cradles the baby in his arms. It's a bit awkward and dated. Apparently as a 20-year-old, Messi had absolutely no idea how to hold a baby and you definitely get that impression in the photos. But it wouldn't be notable today except for the fact that the 5-month-old little chubster in the photo is now also the star of Barcelona's globally famous football team, and that 19 years since they met for the first time, these two extraordinary stars of the world's most popular sport are about to play each other for the very first time in the Football World Cup Final. What are the chances? Honestly. Just try and consider a fraction of the different variables that need to line up to make Monday morning happen. First of all, you need the photoshoot. It needs to be with a Barcelona player. Not just any player, but the player who will in years to come be widely considered the greatest to ever take a football field. Then you need to win the raffle, not just with any kid, but with a kid who will also become a professional football player. Not just any player, mind you, but the wunderkind of the Spanish national team, one of the world's best-known players in the best-known sport, and a star of the very same club as the guy who held him in the photo. Then, the two have to make their respective national teams in the same Football World Cup. One of them, as one of the youngest players in the tournament, the other as one of the oldest. Those two teams need to be on separate sides of the draw. They need to both make the final. You thought Lotto's had long odds? The likelihood of all of these things happening is absolutely preposterous. Because I'm a total nerd, I follow a subreddit on social media where people pose silly maths questions, and members of the community show their workings to try and solve them. I knew as soon as Argentina qualified for the final and the photo of Messi and Yamal started trending once again, there'd be a robust debate about the statistical probability of these events. While all the posters agree there are too many variables to get a perfect answer, the best efforts this week put the probability at somewhere between one in 59 billion, and one in three quadrillion. It makes you think that little bit harder about the random encounters in your own life. Who knows if that person you randomly bump into and almost immediately forget, could in years to come, be one of the most important people in your life? The photographer who shot Messi and Yamal almost two decades ago was interviewed about the experience this week. It's hard to disagree with his take. As the two stars of his photoshoot prepare to meet once again and face off in the biggest stage in sport, he was asked for his thoughts: “a true miracle of destiny”. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Rugby League, international cricket, the Olympics, Super Rugby – you name it, Laura McGoldrick is there. She's one of the country's best-known broadcasters, and has had quite a diverse career, working as a TV presenter, radio host, MC, and an actress. McGoldrick has just returned from the official ICC broadcast of the Women's T20 World Cup, and joined Jack Tame for a chat about her life as a sport's broadcaster. "I don't think sport's going anywhere,” she told Tame. “It's the freest entertainment you can get, and I think one of the things I love so much about it is that I can turn up on any given day, and I have absolutely no idea what's going to happen, and neither do you as the viewer.” “That's what makes it very exciting.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What do you do to pass the time on a plane? Kevin Milne has just returned from another trip to Christchurch, flying back home yesterday after attending a family funeral. The flight path takes them right alongside the Southern Alps and Kaikoura Range, a stunning view that much to Kevin's surprise, was being mostly ignored by other passengers. He joined Jack Tame with a question: why do people read books and magazines when there are astonishing views outside the window? LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Rolling Stones continue to roll on. They've just released their 25th studio album, ‘Foreign Tongues', a 14-track record that was recorded in just under a month in West London. It reunites the band with producer Andrew Watt and features guest appearances from Paul McCartney, Robert Smith, Steve Winwood, and Chad Smith, as well as a song recorded with Charlie Watts prior to his passing. Chris Schulz has been listening to the album, and joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iron deficiencies are more common than one might think. It's the most common nutrient deficiency in New Zealand, and on a global scale, with research suggesting approximately 2 billion people struggle with low iron. Who is most likely to be affected by an iron deficiency, how can you tell, and how can you increase your iron levels? Dr Libby Weaver joined Jack Tame to run through some facts about the common affliction. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm in Wellington for Matariki weekend to see family and celebrate a mate's 40th. But being Wellington and being the mid-winter school holidays, it was about 4C yesterday at my parents-in-law's house. The wind and rain were coming in sideways, and though I always insist on getting young kids outside and running them as much as possible, most of yesterday was spent in the lounge. With three generations and four kids under ten in a confined space, board games and books will only get you so far. Enter the old family videos. It was the perfect day for it. My father-in-law pulled out a digitised home videos from the early nineties —which by the way, is a great reminder to hurry up and digitise your old videos before it's too late!— and we sat down to marvel and delight at what life for our family used to be. There was something especially quaint about that era of family home videos. It was before the nifty little family handycam era where you'd see tourists documenting every second of their trip to Disneyland. It was earlier, about the very first time the technology made it possible to go and film stuff at home by yourself. Growing up, I remember my mum coming home from work with an enormous contraption. She'd borrowed it for a couple of days, and from memory it almost required its own coalfired boiler just to fire up and start recording. My wife's family's experience was almost exactly the same. A giant camera, super expensive relative to incomes, borrowed for a couple of days. Watching the videos yesterday, I was struck by a few things. First of all, obviously, they really are time capsules, and for whatever reason back then, people just loved to hit record and leave those things rolling. But it means that over 10 or 15 minutes of the same continuous shot, if you really make the effort to observe, you notice all sorts of little details. There's the obvious stuff that has changed: the fashion, the floral print dresses, the bowl haircuts, the moustaches, the knitted sweaters with different fruit on the front. But even little things: kitchens without dishwashers, birthday and party decorations that were saved and recycled, old bedsheets slung to protect the couches. No computers. No cell phones. No screens. The thing that really hit me yesterday was the strength of genetics. Of course, I've seen heaps of photos of my wife and her brother as a kid. But the videos we watched yesterday were the first moving pictures I'd seen of my brother-in-law at about the same age as our nine-year-old is today. It was extraordinary. Just the way the little boy in the video was holding his body, laughing, and moving was so shockingly familiar. I was almost spluttering as I watched it, turning my head from the boy on the TV, across the room, to a near mirror-image of a boy in the flesh, giggling as he watched his uncle on the screen. The other thing that struck me was the value of scarcity. Perhaps I'm romanticising it a bit much, but one of the things that makes the home videos of that era so precious is that there aren't that many of them. Recording a video back then was an event. Not just because of the coal boiler needed to fire the camera into life, but because cameras were super expensive and it took serious planning to organise them. Obviously we've gained a lot by having extraordinary video cameras in our pockets, but I wonder if we've also lost something too. There was a genuine sense of wonder —for all of us, three generations— in sitting down and soaking up scenes from three decades ago. It'd be a shame to think it becomes something my kids just take for granted. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mike Munro was one of the most senior behind the scenes figures in both Helen Clark, and Dame Jacinda Ardern's governments. In an interview with Q+A with Jack Tame, he explains why politics is such a seductive profession for competitive people to get into, how the political arena has changed over decades, and what it was like to work in coalition with Winston Peters. Munro also offers insights into his time on other sides of the political divide, both as a press gallery journalist, and government relations lobbyist. His new book is Ringside, and is published by Upstart Press. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Kevin Milne has just returned from a week-long trip to the Garden City and found himself rather impressed with the experience. He told Jack Tame it's not the Christchurch he once knew – it's a brand-new glittering, uber cool replacement. And with how much he enjoyed himself, he had to recommend anyone listening to consider a holiday or long-weekend stay in the city. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Madonna is returning to the past in her newest album. ‘Confessions II' follows on from her 2005 album ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor', continuing her exploration of dance and electronic music. It's made in conjunction with Stuart Price, who co-wrote and co-produced the 2005 album, and features guest appearances by Sabrina Carpenter, Feid, Stromae, and Madonna's eldest daughter Lola Leon. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on ‘Confessions II'. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The proposed Conservation Amendment Bill has made a lot of headlines of late. The bill modernises regulation of the Department of Conservation's estate, and previously included a clause that would make it easier for conservation land to be sold – which was been removed after significant backlash. Kate Hall is an advocate for sustainability and environmentalism and has looked at both sides of the debate, and her perspective is a nuanced one. She joined Jack Tame to break down her thoughts on the bill, the things she'd support and the things she's more cautious towards. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I'm not fashionista, but let me tell you… I love a woollen jersey at this time of year. Nothing fancy, but something with a good wool blend, a crew neck, and a classic knit. Practical and timeless. There's a beautiful blue jersey I've had for a few years now that cost a couple of hundred bucks brand new, but on a pure cost-per-wear basis has been an absolute boon. It's good for home, smart enough for the office – I've even worn it on television. On a yearly basis, I might wear it more than any other item of clothing I own. But like any good woollen jersey, time takes a toll. And when I did my summer-winter wardrobe switch this year and pulled out my woollen jersey for another season, my wife expressed concern. “You can't wear that.” “What do you mean?” I asked. “Look at it!” she said. “The pills on that thing are the size of tennis balls!” To be fair, she wasn't wrong. My jersey was covered in them. Not just in the high friction areas, all over. The sleeves, the pits, the neckline, and the back. Pills and frays and fuzz. And as much as I pride myself on not being too wasteful, I'll concede that when I pulled it and checked myself out in the mirror, even I figured maybe my jersey was best relegated to the kids' dressing up box. Enter the fabric shaver, the gadget I never knew I needed. I think I'd seen my wife fussing about with it before, but I'd never really stopped to ask her what she was doing. And while I'm the first to ridicule unnecessary gadgets, I've gotta admit, now I've seen this thing in action up close, I'm a bonafide believer. I realise I'm probably preaching to the converted here but on the off change you've never seen one in action, it's a pretty simple mechanism. For starters, a fabric shaver is not to be confused with a lint roller. It's not an adhesive-dependent gadget. It's a battery-powered device which fits in your palm that has a head with lots of tiny little holes. As you pass the head over your woollen item, the little pills and bits of excess fluff are drawn into the holes and shaved off. As the name suggests, it's not dissimilar to an electric razor, but instead of shaving the fluff off your jawline or your legs, it shaves the front of your favourite blue jersey. As it happens, my wife has become a bit of addict. She reckons there's something soothing about sitting down in front of the telly, passing a buzzing little machine over a much-loved sweater or blanket, observing as its chamber slowly fills with tiny woollen bits. It's not a fast process, but my god, it's effective. Half an hour with the fabric shaver and my favourite blue jersey was totally rejuvenated. A million bucks. In a throwaway world, there is something so satisfying about taking the time and effort to preserve quality. The King does it – getting his cobbler to sew little leather patches onto his old John Lobb shoes. I have a canvas backpack that I've used every day for 12 or 13 years, beaten up during the day, nursed back to health at night. And now we have an even easier way to keep our wool looking sharp. AI or quantum computing might be the technology for the coming century. But if you spot me walking about in my blue jersey this winter, take my word – something altogether more humble is my pick for the technology of the season. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Jordan Williams from the Taxpayers' Union and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Are we surprised judges are still suppressing the names of serial sex offenders? A recent case has raised concerns and sparked debate about this issue - what do we think? A report out today has revealed how much illicit tobacco is out there in New Zealand - are we surprised by these stats? Do we think the issue of school lunches is getting too overcomplicated? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 1 July, 2026, we talk to Customs about how much a bust of more than a million illicit cigarettes has dented the black market. Planet Fun chief executive Jeremy Kirksmith tells us why he's so happy with updated toy safety standards. On The Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams discuss whether a sex offender's name should be permanently suppressed. And Tala restaurant executive chef Henry Onesemo on what his mum told him about being awarded a Michelin star. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

'Perverse incentive': MSD staff metrics include emergency housing grants Ministry of Social Development (MSD) managers are being told they can face performance management if, among other measures, their staff approve too many emergency housing requests, documents obtained by Q+A reveal. Homelessness advocates say the scale of rough sleeping is unprecedented in New Zealand, and that government policies are part of the reason why. Jack Tame put the documents, obtained under the Official Information Act, to associate housing minister Tama Potaka. Why Labour thinks it can make rapid return to government Labour strategists are hoping for a return to government just three years after one of their worst-ever election results. Campaign chair Kieran McAnulty sets out why he believes there could be a one-term National government. “Prince of the provinces”: On the road with Shane Jones Senior NZ First MPs are on a long tour of town halls around the country, with more than 30 dates planned before the election campaign begins. Reporter Whena Owen went to Kaikōura to see Shane Jones in action, as controversies swirl over recreational fishing, the party's coalition positioning, and limousine usage. “Social conservatism”: Why Alfred Ngaro joined NZ First Former National MP and minister Alfred Ngaro joins Q+A to talk about his political journey towards becoming a candidate for NZ First, his socially conservative values, and Christian Zionist beliefs. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Every time I take a drive on the South Island's Great Coast Road (SH6), between Westport and Greymouth, it never fails to cast me under its spell. It's like a heady, implausible mix of Hawai'i and Ireland; of Maui's Road to Hana and the Wild Atlantic Way. On one side, the raw, unbridled foam-flecking power of the ocean tempest; while across the road, fortress-like mountains piercing the sky, draped in thick, lush rainforest. It's a knock-out medley of elemental scenery to thrill all senses. Curiously, the winter months are arguably the best time to savour the Great Coast Road because visitor numbers are thinner yet the weather is typically better. Winter is often the West Coast's driest season with average winter temperatures generally higher than Christchurch and Queenstown. If you're launching your on-road exploratory from Westport, make a date with one of the Pounamu Pathway experience centres. Westport's revitalised Coaltown Museum has reopened as the Museum of Kawatiri, the second experience centre to open along the Pounamu Pathway. Designed and created by Wētā Workshop, it's a stirring celebration of the heritage and intrepid endeavour of the Buller people, underpinned by the lure of pounamu, coal and gold. As you'd expect from Wētā Workshop, there's a lot of tricked-up technological wizardry powering this immersive experience. Heading south along the Great Coast Road, four seasons in one day vividly powered proceedings, with forbidding storm clouds scudding across the sky before yielding to bright sunshine along the gloriously carved coastline, seemingly under assault from the pounding surf. The highway skirts the ancient limestone cliffs of Paparoa National Park and there's a feast of outdoorsy treats to pick and choose from, along the way. If you're up for some hikes, my first suggestion would be Fox River and the Inland Pack Track, starting from the car park at the mouth of the river. Built in 1867 during the gold rush to avoid dangerous coastal travel, the Inland Pack Track gives access to some of the finest features of Paparoa National Park. If the weather is behaving, a great sampler is the 4 hour return walk to the Ballroom Overhang, a colossal 100-metre-long limestone outcrop, that has provided a safe place to shelter for centuries. There are several river crossings along the way, only ankle-deep unless there's been heavy rain. But if the weather has been fine, it's a gem. Another salivating option that isn't so weather-dependent is the Pororari River Gorge loop walk. Doubling as the entry/exit point for the Paparoa Great Walk, the river track follows a spectacular limestone gorge with two main features – a river with huge rocks set amongst deep pools, and beautiful forest featuring subtle changes from subtropical to temperate. It's a two-hour walk, running the gamut across every shade of green. Even the gently flowing water resembles liquid jade. It's a drop-dead gorgeous walk. Keep an eye out for those famous giant snails, Powelliphanta. Their oversized shells come in an array of patterned colours, from reds and browns to yellow and black. (Hurricanes supporters.) They adore earthworms and suck them up through their mouth just like we do with spaghetti. Back on the highway, the karst-strewn landscape of Punakaiki is just five minutes away. Nestled at the base of the thickly forested Paparoa Ranges, the hillsides are thickly stitched in rimu, beech and matai trees, in addition to the striking nikau palms. The national park's visitor information centre is situated on the highway roadside – and after its $40m the monumental transformation, it's now home to the Paparoa Experience. Opened 18 months ago and operated by the local hapu, Ngāti Waewae, this magnificent multi-media exhibition centre was designed by Gibson International. Blending Māori culture with history and geology, it's beautifully crafted and thoroughly entertaining, thrusting you deep into the natural riches of the area, offering all manner of insights on the formation of the Paparoa range, the incredible fossil records like the 30 million year old whale backbone and the karst landscape beneath your feet. A great touch is the blowhole encounter, where you stand inside the surge chamber to feel the blast of wind and waves. But what I really loved is the 180-degree cinematic experience that transports you deep into the wild wonder of Paparoa National Park, celebrating the untouched beauty of the region and the conservation programmes underway to preserve it for future generations. Right across the road, the biggest blockbuster of all is of course an intimate encounter with nature's theatre at Pancake Rocks and Blowholes. remarkable geological formations, which resemble layer upon layer of pancakes, is the result of many centuries of weathering. The formal term for this fantastic tableau is stylobedding. When the tide is high, nature's inter-play of stone and sea is operatic, with the ocean surging into the caverns and booming ferociously through the blowholes. Even the showy waterworks of Las Vegas or Dubai struggle to match this multi-sensory spectacle. Once again, the winter months make this a far less peopled experience. Peckish? Head straight to the Pancake Rocks Café and whistle up their Pancake Stack. It would be rude not to. Freshly fuelled, there's more enchanting hiking options on offer in the area, but the one trail not to miss is the 30 minute Truman Track, which weaves its way through pristine native forest, taking you right to the edge of the Tasman Sea coastline, with a dramatic seascape. It's a banger of a bush walk starting off the highway in a thick forest of podocarp and rātā trees towering above thickets of vine and nīkau palms. The track then transitions through typical West Coast coastal flax flats before climaxing with that blow-your-hair-back seascape, with a sweeping viewing platform elevated above the cliff overhangs and booming ocean. Those overhangs are unstable sandstone bluffs. Previously topped with limestone, that has already been weathered away and now the sandstone remains under relentless attack. A stairway provides access to the beach at low tide, but do not trifle with the ocean at high tide or when the seas are rough. If you're wondering, the track is named in honour of Jim Truman who ran Truman's Department Store in Greymouth. He had a bach opposite the original track which he substantially enhanced. Just before Rapahoe and Runanga, on the approach to Greymouth, one of the money-shot lookout points on the Great Coast Road is the roadside stop by the Strongman Mine Memorial. The immense coastal vista is operatic, with the long sprawl of 9 Mile Beach unfurling before you. Look closely from this lookout and you'll spot a tucked away property, set back from the beach on a terrace, surrounded by ravishing nature's embrace. Best of all, you can stay here! Strung across two acres, Breakers Boutique Accommodation began life as Dr. Barry Dallas' house in the 1970s. He was a Greymouth doctor and also served as Mayor. The story goes that this was Harbour Board land and wasn't meant to have been built on. But hey, when you're the mayor….! Fast forward to today and after many renovations, Jan and Stephen Roberts are the owners of this dreamy property, with dress-circle views over the pounding ocean and the sublime canvas of 9 Mile Beach. There's a variety of accommodation offerings on-site, all very high-spec, stylish and homely, including in the main house, overlooking nature's pageantry. An adjacent wing includes the Nikau Sunset Room, boasting a supremely cosy super-king bed, luxurious bedding and linens and comfortable sitting area, perfectly-positioned for viewing splendour. The guestroom is decorated in warm neutral colourings, using native recycled timbers and beach stones. Be sure to make time to admire the rich trove of art on display around the property, showcasing some of the finest creatives in the area, including Shades of Jade in Greymouth. Their master carver is Jeremy Dalziel. Greymouth's Leftbank Gallery and Punakaiki Crafts are also prominent, as are Kotuku Pottery's exquisite pieces. Jan and Stephen are the most splendid hosts and environmental guardians, somehow managing to distil the essence of gold-standard West Coast hospitality, with a glorified art gallery of local works, including Stephen's magnificent photography; a profusion of first-hand tips on the best walking trails to explore; and on-site dining. Jan whipped me up the most divine homemade pizza for dinner and laid-on a generous breakfast offering, fortifying me for the day ahead. A private track leads down from the Breakers property to Nine Mile Beach. Nine Mile Creek flows down by the bottom of the track, which is backed by a fabulous waterfall. At low tide, dabble in the rock pools at Mussel Point, replete with colourful starfish and millions of mussels. There's also a little blue penguin colony on this beach, which Breakers actively supports through the West Coast Penguin Trust. In-the-know advanced surfers also adore this beach because it has a powerful left break. But I was quite content to remain languid, luxuriating and lounging above the beach, feasting on the ocean panorama as a famed fireball sunset set the Tasman Sea ablaze. Needless to say, it's a photographic feast. Bask in the brilliance of Breakers Beachfront Accommodation. It embodies the best of the West. You will never want to leave. www.breakers.co.nz Mike Yardley is Newstalk ZB's resident traveller and can be heard each week on Saturday Mornings with Jack Tame. LISTEN ABOVEGreat Coast Road SH6 Photo Tourism West CoastPhoto by Mike YardleySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ministry of Social Development (MSD) managers are being told they can face performance management if, among other measures, their staff approve too many emergency housing requests, documents obtained by Q+A reveal. Homelessness advocates say the scale of rough sleeping is unprecedented in New Zealand, and that government policies are part of the reason why. Jack Tame put the documents, obtained under the Official Information Act, to associate housing minister Tama Potaka. Join Jack Tame and the Q+A team and find the answers to the questions that matter. Made with the support of NZ on Air.

Well, it's game day! Strangely, I feel less nervous about today's game than I did for the previous two. Heading into the World Cup, it always felt like the All Whites games were going to get progressively harder. On paper, our best chance was in our first match against Iran, our second best chance was in our second match - but there cannot be many fans, many bookmakers, many pundits on Earth who, before the tournament kicked off, would have backed New Zealand against Belgium. I'm not going to kid myself, they are still very long odds, but the reason I'm not so nervous is because it really felt, to me, like the dream of making it through to the knockout stage of a Football World Cup kind of slipped away in the first 10 minutes of the second half the other day. And yet, one is always reminded that sport is a funny business. And that even though our heads and our hearts are in very different places this morning - it's kind of like a Powerball jackpot. There's nothing wrong with dreaming. So, here's what gives me a little sliver of hope as we stare down the barrel of a must-win contest against what, on paper, must surely be one of the world's best football teams. First of all, Belgium haven't been very good in their first two matches. They haven't fired, they've looked kind of blunt, kind of dull - are some of their superstars maybe a bit long in the tooth? Perhaps. Is today the day they find their edge and fire? Or, come on and dream, is today the day that something crazy happens? Second of all, the All Whites have scored goals. I feel like, for basically the entire history of New Zealand football, we have been a country that has relied on stoic, physical defence, rather than attacking flair. You know what I mean, 7 at the back, clear the ball, hoof it up the field - that kind of football. But in this tournament, we've had flashes of a different kind of football. For me, Eli Just has been the obvious standout performer in our first two matches. Every time he's on the ball, he looks threatening - our midfielder, more technically capable than almost any team we've had in the past. And with Chris Wood as a point man distributing to reinforcements, there have been impressive passages of attack in football, it's been refreshing. The third thing that gives me just a little bit of hope is the p-word: pressure. It is a must-win game for both teams, but basically no-one in the whole footballing universe seriously expects New Zealand to topple the mighty red devil. So what does it mean if the scores are tied after 20 minutes? What does it mean if they're still tied at half-time? What does it mean if, partway through the second half, New Zealand has a moment of glory and snatches the lead? What does it mean when all of those superstars look over to the referees' assistant as they lift their little digital sign in the air - with 8 minutes of the referees' time left? I recently saw this amazing presentation from Richie McCaw and he talked about the All Blacks' 2007 World Cup defeat. And this was his point - pressure. Everyone feels pressure. But when the world's expectation is that you're going to destroy another team, all it takes is a few little sporting twists - a bounce of a ball, a random unlucky deflection, a footballing force majeure - for that pressure to intensify. For what it's worth, I reckon Darren Bazeley needs to take a punt, he needs to get young blood in there, some fresh legs. I want to see Jesse Randall run at the Belgian defence, I think he waited too long to make changes in previous games. And who knows what might happen? It's interesting, Ecuador beat Germany yesterday, for the first really big upset of the Football World Cup. But I think the thing about that game was that there was no jeopardy for the Germans. They had already qualified for the next round, so they were resting their stars and taking it easy. This Football World Cup is still waiting for a really, really big, football universe-shattering upset. Belgium needs to win, we need a win. So come on - why not? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Auckland Councillor Maurice Williamson and Jack Tame from ZB's Saturday Mornings and Q&A joined in on a discussion about the following issues of the day - and more! Labour has revealed they're not planning on making changes to the retirement age and leader Chris Hipkins says there are some fundamental questions National needs to answer on its election KiwiSaver policy. Do we agree with this? Why does Labour keep saying no to things? Keir Starmer officially resigned as UK Prime Minister last night. Is this the right move? Will Andy Burnham be a better leader - or at least a good replacement? Gym memberships among Kiwis are on the rise - what do we think of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Tuesday, 23 June, 2026, Auckland University economics expert Susan St John on why we need to go back to a surtax on super. Medicines New Zealand chief executive Graeme Jarvis on why it could be a slow process getting funding for weight-loss drugs. Sports socialist Holly Thorpe tells us what's driving a record number of gym memberships. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Maurice Williamson on whether new All Blacks captain Ardie Savea needs to step up in media interviews. Get the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast every weekday evening on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American ska punk band has released a new album. Coming thirty years after their last release, ‘Until the Sun Explodes' is the first to feature singer and guitarist Jakob Nowell – replacing his father Bradley who died in 1996. It's the band's fourth and final studio album and a tribute to the late lead singer. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.