Podcasts about Jack Tame

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Wednesday, 10 June, 2026, Labour Transport spokesman Tangi Utikere insists the party's got its numbers right with a plan to cap how much public transport users pay each week. We talk to Remuneration Authority chair Geoff Summers on more than $300,000 being spent for former prime ministers to use Crown cars they barely call. Stewart Island Rakiura Community Board chair Aaron Conner on why they can't wait for a solar farm to get up and running. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Jordan Williams question why Labour's made its policy announcement in Auckland but is absent from Fieldays. 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, 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! Do we think Labour's proposed public transport fare cap will get votes? How much of the country will this policy really help? And why wasn't Labour at Fieldays? Are we surprised Stewart Island is still fully reliant on diesel? Should we get rid of Crown limos for former Prime Ministers when they're hardly using them? What do we make of this? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Interest rates have begun to creep back up. New Zealand's largest bank, ANZ, has increased its rates across the board, hiking everything by 20 basis points except the one-year rate, which only increased by 10. It's rates now start at 4.69% for its six-month “special” and go up to 6.49% for five-year terms. So how high will they go and what should you do? Ed McKnight joined Jack Tame to offer some advice. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A Bay of Plenty-based group is turning a pest problem into a community solution. Hunt for Good is a not-for-profit that culls wild deer, donating the venison and wild game meat to community groups and food banks. It's volunteer run, and helps farmers manage the wild deer population on their land in a sustainable way. It was founded by Jasper Osborne at the end of 2024, and in that time they've culled nearly 2000 wild deer and donated over 16 thousand kilograms of mince to those in need. “A lot of farmers are under a lot of stress ... and if they've got huge number of deer running around their properties, then that stock, they can't have, so that's really profit they can't have,” Osborne told Jack Tame. “If we can help them by eliminating some of the issues for them, and also turning it into a food source for the community, then it's a double win." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The daughter of Foo Fighters frontman Dave Grohl has released her debut album. ‘Be Sweet To Me' is the first album from Violet Grohl, with a sound reminiscent of 1990s alternative rock. Though it's primarily rock, the eleven tracks do feature elements of heavy metal, folk, and jazz, Grohl citing the Breeders, PJ Harvey, Pixies, Soundgarden, and Cocteau Twins as her primary influences. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A new food identification label is beginning to appear in stores. In a similar vein to the ‘New Zealand Made' logo that denotes locally made products, a ‘NZ Grown Grains' logo denotes products made with grains grown within the country. Kate Hall joined Jack Tame to discuss the logo and why it's important to both produce grain locally, and support those who do. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cast your vote! We're in the middle of the Fungus of the Year. An incredible series of stories about mushrooms, fungi, moulds, diseases – the poisonous and gorgeous organisms that surround our planet, gardens and —believe it or not— our food! Surprises galore: i.e. The Fungal Kingdom is larger than the Plant Kingdom! There are more fungal species than plant species – get your head around that! We could easily do a fungus story for each Jack Tame program between now and 2086 – My old mate Peter Buchanan (ex-DSIR – Manaaki Whenua, Bioeconomy Science Institute) has always been the storyteller and is now working with teachers. Let's start with a few amazing organisms. VEGETABLE CATERPILLAR The “Vegetable Caterpillar”, Te Awheto: a native mummified caterpillar and a native stick-like fungal fruiting body. The Caterpillar gets to a large form underground, where it can be consumed by a fungus. The “fruiting body” develops from the head of the dead caterpillar to well above the ground, where the spores are released (aiming to grab more live caterpillars!). Māori worked out relatively quickly that if Awheto was collected in good numbers and burnt, the powdered charcoal mixed with bird fat would create the perfect and stable black pigment, used to make Ta Moko. A Caterpillar, a Fungal Fruiting Body, a Barbeque, some Bird Fat and Black Charcoal… Photo / Supplied WOOD EAR FUNGUS I love the Wood Ear Fungus (Te Hakeke) in our Native forest. They look so Dark Brown and elegant on the dead native trees. Touch them and they feel like a human ear, chew a bit off and they are as soft as a human ear – in fact, they smell and kind-of taste like a human ear! ... But they don't! No smell – no taste, but a brilliant way to absorb smell and taste from cooked foods. It wasn't just the Māori who cottoned onto the way to harvest and cook with the ear fungus – the Chinese merchants that settled in Aotearoa realised that the New Zealand Ear Fungus was pretty closely related to the one in China! A significant trade with China (1870 – 1910) developed from a number of ports in Aotearoa – it was known as “Taranaki Wool”. Chew Chong was the leading ear fungus exporter and has been honoured in the NZ Business Hall of Fame for to the “Fungus Trade”. Photo / File | Peter Buchanan Landcare Research FISCHER'S EGG I am really keen to find one of these rare “truffels”, one fine day. It's from just a few places in the South Island: Nelson, Dunedin and Gore and is threatened with extinction (DOC, IUCN Global Red List). The fruitbodies of Fischer's egg have no opening through which to release their spores. Similar “stomach-like” fungi mostly depend on animals to disperse their spores after consumption of their fruitbodies… so, here's a question: Did the flightless Moa feed on (and disperse) Fischer's egg? Photo / Supplied Remember: the 18th of June is the last day to vote (click here or scan the QR code to do so). Have a look at stuff like this to find out more about fungi, and this wonderful book that Peter put together. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I bought some second-hand bunks this week. High quality. Good stuff. Perfect for the nine-year-old's bedroom. But to make way for his new addition, I needed to pack up his old bed. It was a king single – nothing fancy. Built from a little kit set with Allen key screws and cheap wood. But the bed was still in reasonable condition, and even though we didn't need it anymore, I figured it might be useful for another family. At the very least, before condemning it to landfill, I thought it worth a quick check. Brand new, the bed must only have cost $400, so I did what I thought was the right thing. I took a few photos then I took it apart, labelled the screws, and neatly stacked up the various pieces. I put an ad on Facebook Marketplace: Free kid's bed frame. King single. Free if you're happy to pick it up. Now, look. I know there's more than enough junk in this world. I didn't have any grand expectations that anyone would even want the bed. I certainly didn't oversell it. But no sooner had I put it online, I started receiving messages asking if it was available. Yep, I said. It sure is. I marked the listing as sold and with the first person to message me, I arranged a time to hand over the bed the following day. Given I was due to be at work, I explained to the buyer I'd have to sort out someone else to be home to help with the handover instead of leaving the bed outside in the rain. Job done, I figured. All sorted. Win-win. Except the person never showed. Never turned up. Never messaged to explain or apologise. Just went incommunicado. Ghosted me. They'd been dead keen 24 hours earlier, but something, apparently, had changed. Even though they knew I was arranging to get someone else to be at home to give them something they wanted for free, apparently I wasn't worth even a cursory note. It's funny how different trading fora have slightly different cultures. When I was a kid, before the internet was really in use and TradeMe was a thing, we had the Buy, Sell and Exchange. It cost a few bucks to buy each week, and it was a treasure trove of junk. I was too young to trade anything, but I loved browsing through the pages. If you had any questions about an item, you had to give someone a call. We had the Trading Post on radio, which was always an amazing listen, and TradeMe's been the big digital player here since its inception. But these days, Facebook Marketplace is responsible for a growing number of trades. In my experience, it's usually for stuff that's less suitable for auctions. A fixed price. A quick trade. Bob's your uncle. It's also the best place for giving stuff away for free or nearly for free. There's no fee. No one pays anything. But there's a downside. This week's saga with the bed wasn't the first time I've been stood up without explanation by someone who a few hours earlier was apparently desperate for an item and grateful to be receiving it for nothing. I've only done about half a dozen trades on Marketplace. I reckon for half of them I've been stood up. I just find it so rude. Who are these people? I can't imagine messaging a stranger, knowing they'd made arrangements to help me with something, and then changing my mind and being so unconcerned with how it affected them, that I wouldn't even bother sending them a sentence. Maybe it says something about our wider culture. It's transactional. People aren't bothered by throw-away relationships. You're only valuable to someone else if they can get something out of you. I put the bed back up online and someone else immediately asked if they could take it. They're supposed to collect it today, so we'll see how that works out. But honestly, it wasn't the bed that got me, it was the principle. See 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! Does Andrew Little have a point about the deadline for council amalgamation being unrealistic? Could the Government have given councils more time? Is increased fares the last thing Te Huia needs as it goes into the last year of its trial? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast with Andrew Dickens for Wednesday, 3 June, 2026, Wellington mayor Andrew Little says he agrees with amalgamation but thinks the government's set an unfair timeframe. We talk to the Hospitality NZ chief executive about a dramatic rise in closures in the industry. Football commentator Jason Pine now fears for what England will do to the All Whites after a humiliating loss to Haiti. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Maurice Williamson debate whether the Te Huia train trip between Auckland and Hamilton is worth it after a fares increase. 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.

In Budget 2026, Treasury published New Zealand's latest child poverty statistics. It's a grim picture, and one that isn't improving much: the number of households in material hardship is estimated to be 14 percent, with a 2028 target of six percent. Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad joins Jack Tame to lay out the cost of persistent child poverty and discusses the workability of a forthcoming ban of social media for under-16s. 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.

Return to surplus? Nicola Willis charts economic recovery Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered her third and final Budget Day speech for the parliamentary term this week. A Budget delivering investment in health, infrastructure and defence, the Minister has described it as "responsible" - while Opposition voices have criticised the lack of stimulus for ordinary New Zealanders facing cost-of-living pressures. The big bonus is a forecast return to surplus in financial year 2028/29, one year earlier than previously forecast, using the government's favoured forecasting tool, OBEGALx. Five months out from the general election, Nicola Willis joins Jack Tame to discuss the government's record on economic stewardship, why the new bank tax won't be passed onto consumers, and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's "freeloaders" comment on New Zealand's defence spending. Children's Commissioner: The cost of child poverty In Budget 2026, Treasury published New Zealand's latest child poverty statistics. It's a grim picture, and one that isn't improving much: the number of households in material hardship is estimated to be 14 percent, with a 2028 target of six percent. Children's Commissioner Claire Achmad joins Jack Tame to lay out the cost of persistent child poverty and discusses the workability of a forthcoming ban of social media for under-16s. Why populist nationalism won't stop immigration Five months from the election, immigration is being framed by political parties as a critical election issue, with the Prime Minister warning the wrong policies could damage social cohesion. In New Zealand in 2026, migration is the main source of population growth, with the nation's fertility rate slumping to 1.6, below replacement levels. Is an immigration backlash the inevitable response to a globalising world? Jack Tame speaks to author and CEO of geospatial analytics company AlphaGeo Dr Parag Khanna. 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.

Joel Little has worked with some of the biggest names in the music business. The Grammy Award-winning musician has written and produced tracks for the likes of Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Ellie Goulding, Khalid, and of course, our very own Lorde – the place where it all began. But even amid all his fame and success, he's remained humble and down to Earth – and his latest project only exemplifies that. ‘BIG FAN' is a not-for-profit music space located in Morningside, offering recording studios and a live music venue with the aim of supporting the wealth of musical talent in New Zealand. Little told Jack Tame the whole idea was to build a place of a world-class standard, to give a little bit back to the music industry that's been so good to him over the years. “If someone else was in my position and I was watching them, I would kind of hope that they would do something similar.” “I didn't get where I am by just like... all on my own,” Little said. “I had people along the way kind of say the right things or give me opportunities ... and that's kind of what we want BIG FAN to be for people.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five months from the election, immigration is being framed by political parties as a critical election issue, with the Prime Minister warning the wrong policies could damage social cohesion. In New Zealand in 2026, migration is the main source of population growth, with the nation's fertility rate slumping to 1.6, below replacement levels. Is an immigration backlash the inevitable response to a globalising world? Jack Tame speaks to author and CEO of geospatial analytics company AlphaGeo Dr Parag Khanna. 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.

Paul McCartney is taking a trip down memory lane in his new album. ‘The Boys of Dungeon Lane' is his 20th —or 18th, depending on the way you count them— solo studio album and is a nostalgic collection of songs. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the latest release by the iconic musician. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Finance Minister Nicola Willis delivered her third and final Budget Day speech for the parliamentary term this week. A Budget delivering investment in health, infrastructure and defence, the Minister has described it as "responsible" - while Opposition voices have criticised the lack of stimulus for ordinary New Zealanders facing cost-of-living pressures. The big bonus is a forecast return to surplus in financial year 2028/29, one year earlier than previously forecast, using the government's favoured forecasting tool, OBEGALx. Five months out from the general election, Nicola Willis joins Jack Tame to discuss the government's record on economic stewardship, why the new bank tax won't be passed onto consumers, and US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth's "freeloaders" comment on New Zealand's defence spending. 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.

It will come as little surprise to anyone who knows me: I do not have any tattoos. I've never been inked. It's not that I don't think they can look great. More than anything, I just don't trust my taste. I've looked at old photos. I've seen my haircuts and clothing choices from even a few years ago. When you've burned up and crashed out in the low stakes minor leagues, there's not a huge incentive to put it all on the line in the majors. That fish dunking a basketball might just have to wait. Of course there are many reasons to get a tattoo. Cultural reasons. Utilitarian reasons. To remember a loved one or a traumatic event. I've got a friend who's tattooed a medical condition, kind of like a permanent and more fashionable medic alert bracelet. But I don't have any of those reasons. And I'd still suggest the dominant reason that most people get tattoos is because they think they look cool. And don't get me wrong, my tattooed friends. A lot of people look great with tattoos. But then again, a lot of people don't. There has been an explosion in ink in recent years. You see them everywhere: sleeves and intricate designs. Patchworks. Delicate stick-and-pokes. It's impossible to watch a game of professional football without noting that a majority of the players are covered tip to tat-toe. New Research estimates that in the United States alone, a third of adults have at least one tattoo. For those aged 30-49, it climbs to 46%. But get this – for young women between 18 and 29, more than half have at least one tattoo! So I'm calling it today. This trend cycle is officially over. The unique has become the ubiquitous. People who seriously love tattoos will continue to get tattoos. And fair enough. You do you. But all those people who jumped on the bandwagon because they thought a few tats would look cool on Instagram are no longer queueing for new ink. Except unlike skinny jeans, you can't just chuck your tattoos in an old shopping bag and drop them in a clothing bin. The cruel reality of the tattoo trend is that even though clearly ‘trend' is the right word to explain the surge in tattoos, the results of this trend are very much permanent. The global tattoo removal industry is valued at $11 billion today. By 2035, it's forecast to be four times that. If I had a spare bob, I swear, I'd be investing. Tattoo removal is from all accounts a pretty painful experience. But it's also big business. And of course, the trend-setters who consciously or otherwise have contributed to some of the demand are among those who are first in line to get their tattoos zapped off. Pete Davidson, Mark Whalberg, Pharrell… Watch this space. The list is only gonna grow. I started by saying I don't trust my own taste. Those who disagree with me will say I'm a hypocrite. How can someone who admits to having questionable taste be so certain in his judgement? The only thing that'll save me is I reckon deep down, whether they admit it or not, most people will agree. No tattoos is the new tattoos. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tonight on The Huddle, Kiwiblog's David Farrar 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! The Reserve Bank has left the OCR in place at 2.25 percent, but it's likely a rise is in the cards within the next few months. When do we think things will change? Should an MP get $36,000 to stay in a home he's owned for 26 years? Do some rules need to be adjusted? Should we help keep Moana Pasifika alive? Can we afford to? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 27 May, 2026, Reserve Bank governor Anna Breman gives us details on the close vote to keep the official cash rate at 2.25%. Wellington Mayor Andrew Little tells us how he's managed to keep a rates increase at less than 6%. Why tradies are being urged to do warmup workouts before work. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and David Farrar debate if New Zealand First MP Andy Foster claiming thousands of dollars in accommodation allowances for a house he lives in Wellington is a rort. 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.

A Kiwi app is going up against Spotify. Instead of focusing on songs, playlists, and subscriptions, Lume is built around albums – allowing fans to buy digital “box sets” containing the album, bonus audio, video, artwork, and photography. A majority of the revenue goes directly to the artists and their partners. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the new platform. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Joe Thomas was thrown into the spotlight in 2008 when British comedy ‘The Inbetweeners’ hit out TV screens. His character, Simon Cooper, suffered all manner of teenage humiliations at the hands of his friends, played by Simon Bird, Blake Harrison, and James Buckley. Now he’s on our side of the world, joining the line-up of Kiwi talent involved in TVNZ’s ‘NZ Spy’, starring alongside Rose Matafeo, Bret McKenzie, and Paul Williams. The show focuses on New Zealand’s three newest spies, and somewhat bumbling, spies, who have to track down the nation’s biggest enemy – the head of the Australian Secret Service. Thomas told Jack Tame this was one of those projects he knew would be good from the moment he read the script. “With comedy you can just tell like, immediately, if it’s gonna be good ... and within the first sort of page, I just thought, yeah this is great.” “Sometimes you just get jobs and you’re like, oh this is great, and you’re like, I was honestly like, what’s the catch?” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shein, the face of fast fashion, has reportedly acquired Everlane – a brand with an ethos of sustainability and ethical fashion. The sale is worth around US$100 million and is a result of the $90 million in debt Everlane is sitting on. In a statement to the New York Times, CEO Alfred Chang says the brand will remain independent, and keep its “sustainability components”, with the acquisition being framed as a way to expand the brand's global reach and accelerate its vision. Kate ‘Ethically Kate' Hall joined Jack Tame to discuss the sale and what it represents about sustainable and ethical fashion. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Deputy Prime Minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour is welcoming the reduction of New Zealand's public service by 8700 staff over the next three years. He joins Jack Tame to discuss a new map of New Zealand's 267 different regulators from the Ministry for Regulation. With less than six months to the general election, and the party polling slightly lower than its 2023 performance, David Seymour speaks to his new policy of tougher English language requirements for visa-holders and introducing an overstayer enforcement unit within Immigration 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.

RNZ chief executive Paul Thompson will resign after 13 years in the job, board chair Jim Mather announced this morning. Mather says while the decision for Thompson to resign at the end of 2026 was made in December of last year, the announcement has been pulled forward by "recent unhelpful external commentary about his future". Deputy prime minister and ACT Party leader David Seymour, who is also a shareholding minister in RNZ, has criticised the public broadcaster's board and chief executive in recent months, and speculated earlier in the month that Thompson "won't be answering the call at RNZ for much longer." David Seymour joins Jack Tame. Watch more of Q+A's interview with David Seymour on Sunday.

World-renowned biologist and writer Richard Dawkins is embarking on a speaking tour to mark the 50th anniversary of his first book, The Selfish Gene, a seminal text on the nature of genetics. He joins Jack Tame from his home in Oxford to reflect on how science has progressed, and shares his impressions on whether artificial intelligence technology can be considered 'conscious'. Richard Dawkins will be speaking at Auckland's Kiri te Kanawa Theatre on Friday 20 November and Wellington's Michael Fowler Centre Monday 23 November. Tickets are on sale now. 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.

Te Puke has its kiwifruit. Ohakune, the giant carrot. Given the extent to which I've droned on and on and on and on about it this year, you'd barely bat an eyelid if you were to pull up at my place sometime soon, only to discover I'd erected an ostentatious 7-metre high fibreglass pomegranate in my front yard. It's been a journey for all of us, this pomegranate. Truth be told, when my mates bought me a pomegranate shrub as a housewarming gift three years ago, I didn't really expect it would ever have fruit. I'm not a very handy gardener. The soil at my place is the gluggiest clay. And besides, I've never seen a fruiting pomegranate tree in my life, let alone in New Zealand. But the pomegranate didn't just take. It flowered in its first summer. And the next. Just one or two bright-red, delicate, pear-shaped little flowers at the end of its spindly branches. It grew taller, more confident and established. And when my wife asked that I move the tree to make way for a new gate, I waited until late Autumn to give it the best chance of surviving, carefully dug up its root ball and found a spot in the northern-most corner of our property. I thought that'd be it. The move would put it back for a few years. But I returned from a week away over summer and could barely suppress my delight. The pomegranate had flowered and the flower had been pollinated. Like a green little tomato perched right at the very top of the tree, my pomegranate had its first fruit. Since then, it has been a fastidious operation. Every Monday morning, I've fed my plant a combination of citrus fertiliser and worm juice. I've fought off ants and other insects whom I worried might be burrowing in and ransacking its lustrous little pearls. As summer has passed and the single fruit has grown weightier, I've become increasingly concerned about the structural stability of the whole affair. Imagine an orange hanging off one of the weaker parts of a Christmas tree. It felt almost like it might snap off. With the help of our nine-year-old, I took some twine and jerry-rigged a make-shift support. The pomegranate kept growing. Having the nine-year-old involved has been a big part of my fun. After all, the reason my friends bought us a pomegranate shrub and not a feijoa or a lemon tree is that my wife is Persian. Pomegranates originate on the Iranian plateau. As much as molasses might be a staple in Ottolenghi recipes, pomegranates will have been a treasured fruit for generations of our children's ancestors. As our single red globe has grown larger over the last few months, the nine-year-old has begun touring visiting friends and family through the northern corner of our property. Here is the basil. Here is the spinach. Here is our family's pomegranate. Outside of the kids' ancestry and the exoticism of its origin, the simplest justification for our pomegranate obsession is that gardening is fun. Or if not fun, relaxing. I've really come to savour it. Even if I'm just weeding or cleaning up dead leaves and scraps, I find if surprisingly nourishing to go outside, chuck on a podcast, and potter about with my hands in the dirt. One thing I've learnt though is it's hard to know when to pick a pomegranate. There are YouTube clips and various online explainers, but colour isn't the only indicator. Shape is even more important. Boxy is good. You can flick it and try to judge the sound. Several listeners have emailed me to warn that although pomegranate plants at their places did manage to grow fruit, the fruit never fully ripened. They couldn't get it sweet. On Monday I finally pulled the trigger. One swift cut, through the stem. The family gathered around the dining table for the moment of truth. I sliced through the membrane and oxblood-coloured juice spilled out over the bench. I pulled apart the fruit and scooped the little rubies into a bowl. Together we each took a spoonful. “Whatever this tastes like,” I said. “I don't think we've yet got a commercially viable crop.” We drew the spoons to our lips. It was tart. It was tangy. It was sweet. It was delicious. See 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! The Government has confirmed there's more public service cuts to come ahead of Budget 2026. What do we make of this? Do we think AI can really replace all these jobs? What are the chances of Auckland Council's rates rise being kept to less than 7.9 percent? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 20 May, 2026, we ask Regulation Minister David Seymour if 267 regulators in New Zealand is too many. Christchurch Airport chief executive Justin Watson tells us if it's landed three more Air New Zealand international flights because Auckland Airport is charging too much. In an exclusive interview, we hear why new Breakers coach Gordon Herbert was attracted to the NBL. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Maurice Williamson tell us why they want more detail on plans to slash public servants. 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.

Erica Stanford: NCEA, immigration and "anti-Māori" criticism Minister for education and immigration Erica Stanford joins Jack Tame to discuss the new scheme replacing NCEA, facing down public criticism over removing school boards' Treaty of Waitangi obligations, and why the National Party is toughening its rhetoric on immigration. She also pushed back on education ministry plans to remove ESOL funding for year 0 and year 1 students in the second half of this year, saying the ministry had “got ahead of itself” and that wouldn't now be happening. Stanford also touched on the government's pause in rolling out a social media ban for under-16s, saying there was a legislative programme still under way, and that the National Party was still committed to moving something on age verification. Where's the policy? Chris Hipkins on Labour's election plans Less than six months out from a general election, New Zealand's highest-polling party has only revealed a handful of policies. On big issues like the cost of living, fuel security and immigration, Chris Hipkins says the Labour Party will be sharing their vision for the country after Budget Day. Chris Hipkins joins Jack Tame for his first appearance of 2026 to discuss his flagship education policy of the previous government, Fees Free - now set to be cancelled, with a price tag to date of $2 billion. He also considers whether Labour in New Zealand can take any lessons from Sir Keir Starmer's turmoil in the UK. “Oligopoly”: How a lack of competition hurts public pockets OECD economist David Haugh joins Q+A with Jack Tame to talk about a major new report detailing the weak state of competition in the New Zealand economy, and why ordinary New Zealanders are being economically hurt by the structure of key markets. His report also critiqued the government's LNG plans, and he responds to an assertion from PM Chris Luxon that those sections of the report are “a load of rubbish”. The “global Goliath” and risk of worldwide societal collapse Cambridge researcher of existential risks Luke Kemp talks to Q+A about the threats facing the continued survival of humanity, why wealth inequality is such a major risk factor, and how in such a globalised world, a collapse would be much more difficult to survive than previous societal collapses. Kemp's book is Goliath's Curse: The History and Future of Societal Collapse, and he's been in New Zealand as part of the Auckland Writers Festival. 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.

He's been described as “the John le Carré of his generation” and a “megastar of the genre”. British spy writer Mick Herron has earned millions of fans around the world and delighted critics with his thrilling plots, rich characters, and dry humour. He's won dozens of awards for both his Slough House series, his stand alone works, and his short story collections, and ‘Slow Horses' and ‘Down Cemetery Road' have both been adapted to the screen. Herron's on our shores for the Auckland Writers Festival, in which he'll introduce the latest addition to his iconic series, ‘Clown Town', set during the height of the Troubles in Northern Ireland. ‘Slow Horses' was originally released in 2010, and wasn't particularly successful, especially when compared to the acclaim both the book, and Herron's work as a whole, now holds. Herron told Jack Tame things changed one day at a time, so it doesn't feel like that big of a difference. “It was a low slow process, and it's one in which, I mean, my part in it has been that every – well, most days, not every day, most days I just sit down and get on with the book that I happen to be writing.” “Everything else goes on around me really,” he told Tame. He attributes his success to his publishers, the people working in marketing, those who run festivals, and so on. “I just respond to invitations and very happily turn up.” Over four million copies of his books have sold around the world, but Herron isn't quite sure what it is about his work that people connect with so much. “I don't intend to investigate it too closely,” he said. “It's a feeling that if I did, I might break something without meaning to.” “I just carry on doing what I'm doing and hope I'm doing it right ... I just do what I've always done, which is write the novel that's inside me that I need to write.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's the 21st anniversary of the debut album from iconic Kiwi band Fat Freddy's Drop, ‘Based On A True Story'. And to mark the occasion, they're setting off on a world tour – kicking things off with three performances in Auckland. Chris Schulz was at the first show last night, and joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The ads we see on social media promise us a great many things, but how many of them are as good as they seem? Ed McKnight was recently served an ad on Facebook promising rental investment with great returns that set off a few alarms. He joined Jack Tame to break down the ad and explain the concerning signs to look for if you spot an investment ad that seems too good to be true. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It's one of the many cruelties of motherhood. You can love your baby unconditionally. You can grow them. You can literally sustain them with your own body. But at the end of the day, you can only do so much for your child. You can change their nappy or feed them a few spoonfuls of kumara mash. But you can't take their first step for them. You can't say their first word. At first, I thought it was a fluke. There I was, standing over our son and gazing into his eyes as I wrestled his arms out of his pyjama sleeves, when suddenly he blurted it out. “DAD.” Not Dada. Not bad. Dad. If I'm totally honest, it wasn't totally clear what he meant with his utterance. Was he using my name? Was he calling me? Impressing me? Or just turning shapes over in that sweet, slobbery little mouth. “Can you say Dad?” I asked. “DAD.” He said. “DAD. DAD. DAD.” “He doesn't know what it means,” said my wife. But then, as if disbelieving her own words, she stood above him and had a crack. “Can you say Mumma?” she said. “Mumma?” “MUUUUMMMMMMMA.” He studied her lips. The way they pressed together. The way the air came out her nose. He thought about it. Thought about it. And replied. “DAD.” Oh, sweet heaven on Earth. She can search speech and language development and come up with any physiological explanation she likes. Maybe the “M” sound is a bit more complicated than a D or a B. There's a reason so many kids say duck or dog as their first word. Mava reckons he's actually at the point where he uses the word to mean the both of us. But of course, I have to disagree. I'm confident our son is so brilliant and bright that he's approached his linguistic development with purpose and intent, and when it comes to his vocabulary, he's implemented a strict prioritisation. We're now a few months in. The more our son says “Dad,” the more he's understood he gets a reaction. He can offer a few sounds. He knows a sheep says ‘Baaa' and a snake “ssssss,” and he uses “RaRa” to mean his brother. But he still only really has the one proper word. Do you want more food? We'll ask. DAD. Look at that! We'll say... as a beautiful border collie runs past us in the park. DAD. And best of all, still, can you say mumma? DAD It won't last forever, obviously. And on balance I'm willing to concede that's probably a good thing. Kids grow quickly. One minute you're swaddling them in one of those cute little hooded towels, the next thing they're queueing up to renew a driver's license. But when the Plunket nurse filled out his book this week, recording his development for all eternity, I was pleased to see her as an independent party settle any household debate once and for all. Our son has one word the Plunket book says. He says it often. Three letters. One syllable. DAD. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 13 May, 2026, a warning from Prime Minister Christopher Luxon that there'll be no treats in this month's Budget - we ask senior correspondent Katie Bradford how much is going on the credit card. Sociologist Paul Spoonley on why there's not really a brain drain. We talk to Retail New Zealand chief executive Carolyn Young on why Kiwi shoppers are loyal to local when they could get cheaper foreign goods. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Phil O'Reilly on whether the All Blacks should travel business class - but premium economy if they lose. 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, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners 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 made a speech to a Business NZ audience in Auckland ahead of the 2026 Budget. He's indicated that this year's Budget won't splash the cash despite the ongoing global conflicts impacting New Zealand. Are we surprised by this? The idea of the All Blacks being downgraded to premium economy has been floated in order to help bring down NZ Rugby's costs. What do we make of this idea? Do they need to stay in business class? How can Waitaki District Council justify a 45 percent rates increase? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clint, Meg and Dan kick off Monday with their first take the edge off call that pays for Natalie’s daughter’s $325 ball dress. They unpack Mother’s Day expectations and share hall of fame/shame stories, then debate a study claiming the average time a man lasts in bed is 16 minutes, with a lesbian caller saying sessions can last hours. Jack Tame joins to discuss his TV special “You, Me and Aussie” about whether moving to Australia is worth it, followed by listeners who moved and returned. The team covers Rihanna’s kids’ scribble tattoo, listeners’ regrettable tattoos, an AMA with Summer Roberts about gigantomastia and we get the latest episode of Dans Diary 02:01 Mothers Day Chaos 05:33 Scandal Headlines 07:13 First Call of the day 10:57 Naughty 6:40 18:58 Take The Edge Off Call 21:07 Jack Tame talks "You me and Aussie" TV special 25:12 Aussie Move Regrets 30:09 Rihanna's new tattoo 33:29 Tattoo regrets 38:27 Gigantomastia AMA with Summer Roberts 42:21 Big Boob Problems 45:09 Dans Diary 47:53 Attenborough Turns 100 51:45 Are you the black sheep of your family? 56:47 Mothers Day hall of fame or shame 01:04:07 Met Gala Bicker 01:07:20 Wrap Up And Goodbye

Today on the pod we talk about Split Enz, haggling, and Iraq. then we talk to TVNZ's Jack tame about his new show "You, Me & Aussie", which airs Monday night, 8.40pm on TVNZ 1 and TVNZ+ Follow The Hauraki Breakfast Show on Instagram Subscribe to the podcast now on iHeartRadio, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts! Featuring Jeremy Wells and Manaia Stewart, "The Hauraki Breakfast" a radio show like no other weekdays from 6am on Radio Hauraki. Guaranteed to teach you bad new habits, raise your eyebrows, and make you smirk on a regular basis. News, sport & music that rocks!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Frank Bunce is an All Blacks legend. His 55-cap career spanned six seasons before he retired from the team at age 36 – the second oldest All Black in history. While he was done with the black jersey, he wasn't done with rugby, playing for the Chiefs as well as having a stint in Europe before hanging up his boots properly in 1999. But that wasn't the last time Kiwis saw him on the screen, as Bunce was one of the first contestants on Celebrity Treasure Island – all the way back in 2001. This year sees him back on the Island for a second attempt at digging up the treasure, but what prompted his return? “It's not really the challenge,” he explained to Jack Tame. “I don't mind the challenge and all of that ... I think it's the people, y'know, you enjoy yourself, you have the challenge.” “It's something totally different.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

To many people, “being sustainable” seems like an active choice and sacrifice that someone has to make – but there are plenty of things they may already be doing without realising they're sustainable. Kate Hall joined Jack Tame to run through the list. Cooking at home instead of eating out Buying seasonal or local produce (international imports often cost more) Wearing clothes longer / repairing instead of replacing Using leftovers and stretching meals Buying second-hand furniture Travelling domestically instead of internationally (or not at all) Avoiding turning the AC/heat pump on & opting for doors open/more blankets instead Thinking about something for a long time before purchasing Choosing experiences as gifts over buying more stuff Taking the bus, walking, or biking instead of driving Washing clothes less often (only when they actually need it) Doing fuller loads instead of small, frequent washes Bringing a drink bottle everywhere you go instead of buying drinks out Making coffee at home instead of buying daily coffees (often in disposable cups) LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mysterious Kiwi musician Aldous Harding has released a new album. Train on the Island is her fifth studio album and is filled with her trademark intricate style of lyricism, full of strange and unique turns of phrases. 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.

Approximately 73 thousand Kiwis left New Zealand in the past year, and over half of those moved to Australia. Indeed it seems like every day there is another article about New Zealanders moving across the Tasma for better jobs, better money and a better lifestyle, but is that really true? Well TVNZ's Jack Tame is investigating that very question for a new show airing on Monday night called You, Me & Aussie and joins Jesse to discuss. You, Me & Aussie is on Monday 11th May on TVNZ1 at 8:40pm and TVNZ+. [picture id="4KGB12Q_31681878_751954_png" crop="16x10" layout="full"]

It was one of the most memorable days of my life. January, 2010. We'd been out most of the day on assignment, leaving Scott Base early in the morning and flying by helicopter across McMurdo Sound to a research team at the McMurdo Dry Valleys, the largest ice-free area in Antarctica. Having filmed for a few hours, we took off again and tracked the edge of Ross Island, flying low to watch the frenzy of activity on the edge of the continent below. Penguins, seals, whales, feeding in the summer thaw. At Cape Bird we used another battery or two and a tape, filming with the tens of thousands of mating pairs at the Adelie penguin colony. So many birds! So much bird shit. We flew home, skirting around the base of Mt Erebus, epic and stark. I was in a daze. But as the helicopter wound down and we unloaded our gear at Scott Base, the staff on the ground were in a flutter. “You're not going to believe who's visiting for dinner,” someone said. He was standing in the Scott Base bar, holding court. I remember him being surrounded by a half-dozen people, hanging on each word. I meekly approached his producer and cleared my throat. “I'm really sorry to bother you...” I said. “My name's Jack Tame and I'm a reporter with Television New Zealand... I just wondered if it might be possible, if it wasn't too much of an inconvenience, if Sir David might consider maybe doing an interview with us while he's here?” “I dunno...” said the producer. “Just ask him yourself.” I clumsily reached out my hand and repeated my speech. “If it's not too much trouble... if I'm not asking too much...” “I'd be happy to,” said Sir David Attenborough. “...on one condition.” “Of course.” “We bring this bottle of wine.” And so it came to be that after what had already been maybe the single most special day of my journalistic career, I found myself sitting in the Scott Base lounge, with a bottle of red wine, musing over the miracle of life with Sir David Attenborough. Just outside the base windows, whales broke through the melting sea ice and puffed through their blowholes as we cycled through subjects: Filmmaking. Climate science. The existence of God. I can think of no single person, ever, who has done more to shape our understanding of the natural world. No person who has done more to foster our sense of wonder. Across his 100 years, his broadcasts and storytelling have reached and affected billions of people across the planet. How many broadcasters, filmmakers, biologists, ecologists, marine and climate scientists were inspired to pursue their passion because of Sir David Attenborough? His is the voice of the natural world. And as the world celebrates his yet another achievement, 100 years, I gratefully reflect on that late afternoon in Antarctica. For one of us, it was extraordinary encounter in an otherwise pretty unremarkable life. For the other, it was an unremarkable encounter in an undoubtedly extraordinary life. The extraordinary life. And as I wrapped our filming and he headed off to find his spot for dinner, I shook Sir David's hand and spoke the truest words I could. Thank you, I said. For everything, I said. Thank you. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Government moves to bin the BSA, Voyager awards bin sponsor, Jack Tame's empty chair & Wayne Brown says 'don't go there' Go to this episode on rnz.co.nz for more details

Tonight on The Huddle, Phil O'Reilly from Iron Duke Partners 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! The Minister for Internal Affairs has unveiled a new multi-choice test for migrants looking to get New Zealand citizenship. Applicants would have to answer 20 questions and get 15 correct to pass. Do we think this is fair? The BSA is on its way out, with Minister Paul Goldsmith saying it's no longer fit for purpose. Do we agree that this change is long overdue? Do we think the media can regulate itself? LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive Full Show Podcast for Wednesday, 6 May, 2026, we talk to Media and Communications Minister Paul Goldsmith about the axing of the Broadcasting Standards Authority. Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden explains the citizenship tests for would-be migrants. A parent coach tells us about an online guide to help parents navigate social media with their children. And on The Huddle, Jack Tame and Phil O'Reilly discuss whether the BSA was past its use-by date. 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.

Early fans of The Black Keys will be delighted by the duo's latest release. ‘Peaches!' is the 14th studio album from the American rock duo, a live-recorded covers album returning to their blues roots. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to give his thoughts on the release. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A staple of the folk-rock genre, few people wouldn't recognise the name or work of Mumford & Sons. Following only a year after the release of their fifth studio album, Rushmere, was their sixth album Prizefighter, released in February this year. The album was recorded in ten days at producer Aaron Dessner's studio in New York, and now they're taking it around the world – bringing it to New Zealand's shores as well. They're performing tonight at Auckland's Spark Arena, and compared to the more intimate, slightly introspective shows the band has done in the past, this one is set to be a bit more exciting. “This is the beginning of a major bout of like, quite a few months of touring for us with a whole new production, a new album, and we're quite ambitious for the whole thing,” Keyboardist and vocalist Ben Lovett told Jack Tame. “It's our 6th album, so we're quite like, in a spirit of let's like, leave it all on the floor, let's bring all the new songs out, let's give it a whole new visual aesthetic.” “It's quite exciting really.” Despite only being a year apart in release dates, Rushmere and Prizefighter are quite different records – Rushmere being more introspective and internal, while Prizefighter is more expansive, featuring collaborations with artists like Chris Stapleton and Hozier. “When we talked about getting back together, I think our desire was to make a record that felt like you were kind of pulling the curtain back and just hearing a band in a room together,” Ted Dwane, who does vocals, bass, and guitar for the band, told Tame. “So with Dave Cobb we made Rushmere, and kind of, I think, kind of completed that thought.” And it was Rushmere's release that threw the band's creative doors wide open, answering any questions about where the band was at musically and whether the audience would be along for the ride. “And I think just internally between us, it was an incredibly freeing feeling, y'know, just the feeling of making Prizefighter,” Dawson said. “It felt like the backlog was cleared and we were flowing again.” LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wayne Brown: NZ being run 'like a wrecking yard' Running on a strident anti-Wellington platform, Auckland mayor Wayne Brown was re-elected to a second term in 2025 by a more than 100,000-vote majority. In April of this year, he signed New Zealand's first-ever city deal with central government, an agreement which contains no new funding arrangements for Auckland, and kicks one of Brown's biggest campaigns - a bed tax - into discussions for 2027. He joins Jack Tame to discuss Auckland's City Deal, Auckland Transport, and his pitch for a grand coalition between National and Labour in 2026 - a path he describes as the only way to reverse the long-term decline of New Zealand. Behind the scenes of Auckland's $5.5 billion rail project When Auckland's City Rail Link opens for business in the second half of 2026, the city will boast New Zealand's longest escalator, three brand-new stations, and a whole suite of costly but essential improvements to existing infrastructure. The price tag sits at $5.5 billion, split between central government and Auckland Council - with the Super City's largest-ever rates increase, 7.9 percent, mooted to cover the ongoing costs. Is a longer life always better? Dr Ezekiel Emanuel is an oncologist and bioethicist in Washington DC and the author of 'Eat Your Ice Cream: Six simple rules for a long and healthy life'. In New Zealand for the NIB Health Innovation Summit, he joins Jack Tame to discuss how NZ stacks up internationally when it comes to health outcomes, what our Pharmac model gets right, and why he says he will refuse medical intervention after he turns 75. 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.

For all of my life it has been a mythic barrier. For all your life it has been a mythic barrier. In the same way we cannot fly... In the same way we cannot leap over buildings... many thought it simply impossible. Physiologically, there simply has to be a limit. Was this it? Or, with the perfect conditions, the perfect new nutrition, the perfect shoes, and the perfect athlete, would someone do it? Would a human-being run a competitive marathon and the break the two-hour barrier? There is good reason that in all sporting competitions, the sub-2 has stood as such a seductive record. Running is as primal as sporting competition gets. True caveman stuff. There is no sport with a lower barrier to entry. It's not like lacrosse or ice hockey or cricket, anyone who is physically able to put one leg before the other can theoretically compete. Before this week's London marathon, an Ethiopian runner called Yomif Kejelcha was asked by reporters what kind of time he wanted to run. He was an elite and experienced middle-distance runner, but he'd never run a competitive marathon in his life. He knew he'd be fast. He figured he'd try and stick with the front group. But that was where his ambition ended. The rest, of course is history. At the start of the race, the world marathon record was two hours and 35 seconds. Fluid, graceful, strong, Yomif Kejelcha didn't just beat the time. He didn't scrape in by a second or two. He ran the course a full 54 seconds faster. Extraordinary. And yet, he didn't win. Between the first-ever race over an official marathon distance in London in 1908, and the first ever sub-2-hour time, it took 42,979 days or 3,713,385,600 seconds. For the second sub-2-hour time, it took eleven. Having run a time that for many was unthinkable just two hours earlier, having paced the vast majority of the course with the London Marathon defending champion, Yomif Kejelcha ran across the finish line eleven seconds later. The fastest debut in marathon history. A time that would've shattered the world record. And yet only good enough for silver. Sometimes proving yourself wrong, still means losing the race. Despite it all, Yomif seemed positively philosophical. “I'm not upset. I'm not angry. I'm very, very happy because I broke two hours.” he said. But it was a striking response from a competitor condemned to the history books as the Buzz Aldrin of marathon running. I cannot say I would have been so gracious. And there, I think, is the lesson for all of us about the benchmarks against which we compare ourselves. In what appeared from the outside to be the ultimate moment of sporting cruelty, Yomif Kejelcha chose to compare himself to the clock not the man. And at the end of the day, of the two of us, he's the one running a sub-2. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.