Saturday Morning With Jack Tame

Spring begins tomorrow and with it comes everybody's favourite chore: spring cleaning.   Kate ‘Ethically Kate’ Hall joined Jack Tame to give a few tips and tricks on how to get your home sparkling and fresh while keeping the environment in mind.  A few of her tips include:  - Using sustainable cleaning products - Using reusable cloths instead of single use wipes (e.g. old shirts or sheets) - Conserve water while cleaning (use a bucket and water the garden with it afterwards)  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 31 August 2024, legendary New Zealand athlete and our most decorated Paralympian Dame Sophie Pascoe joins Jack to discuss staying involved from home in her first time in 16 years not being at the Games.  Jack compares Kamala Harris' presidential campaign to Hilary Clinton's 2016 run in the way Harris discusses her identity.  Bring back lunchtime gigs! Jack and film reviewer Francesca Rudkin discuss the brand-new film about Beatles manager Brian Epstein and his lunch-break discovery of the band.  Plus, chef Nici Wickes shares the perfect Father's Day brunch recipe with a special twist.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A few weeks ago we talked about an “early Spring”, simply because I thought some of my plants were flowering a lot sooner than expected. Especially the Clematis paniculata one of the seven native species of Clematis in Aotearoa.  Picture taken on Sunday 25 August, 2024  This is one of my favourite Native, New Zealand Climbers, also known as puawānanga, (flower of the skies). It belongs to the Family Ranunculaceae, the buttercup family – it always surprises me how something like Clematis paniculata belongs to the buttercup group, but then again, our plant taxonomy often has little to do with “resemblance”.  I planted our Clematis some 6 years ago near the base of a dying old Birch tree. That birch literally karked it in the next six months, so it was the perfect tree for the climber to climb on.  “Flower of the skies” needs to grow into the light, that’s where the flower buds will develop. The more exposed to sunlight, the better the buds develop.  Another important consideration is that the roots of the Clema

OTU 2024 Sauvignon Blanc. Marlborough $16  Why I chose it:  - I like Sauvignon, particularly when we get some warmer weather.  - First of the excellent 2024 vintage.  - Best of the 2024 vintage wines so far.  - Don’t overlook the discounted 2023 vintage wines.  What does it taste like?  This early release wine confirms the general belief that 2024 was a cracker of a vintage; a crisp, dry white with lime zest and passion fruit flavours, with appealing purity.  Why it’s a bargain:  Classic Marlborough sauvignon at a terrific price.  Where can you buy it?        Glengarry Wines, Auckland: $15.99  The Good Wine Co, Auckland: $16.99  Supermarkets (check the vintage)  Food match?  Great with seafood, I like it with pan-fried scallops.  Will it keep?  Fresh is best – good for a couple of years, perhaps more.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The AI wars are heating up  Reports are out today that Amazon has selected Anthropic to be its AI partner for the new Alexa devices.   Reuters notes that initial versions Amazon's own AI proved insufficient, often struggling with words and responding to user prompts. It's thought that this enhanced AI assistant will be a subscription service costing $5 to $10 a month. Amazon already has a minority stake in the company.  Open AI is seeking investment too, and both Apple and Nvidia are interested, valuing the company at $100 billion. Apple is already planning to integrate ChatGPT into iOS and Siri, and Nvidia is a key supplier for Open AI.    AI Safety is in the government spotlight  Both OpenAI and Anthropic will share their models with the US Government's Safety Institute. Together with the UK they will evaluate safety risks and mitigate potential issues. There's a bill waiting for California's Governor's signature which will force AI companies in the state to take specific safety measures before training adv

There’s been a lot of discussion lately about who New Zealand’s biggest sports star is, with Lydia Ko and Lisa Carrington being major contenders.   Kevin Milne thinks there may be another option as he watches Dame Sophie Pascoe in her role as a live TV presenter for the Paralympics.   LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kaos  A darkly comedic and contemporary reimagining of Greek mythology, exploring themes of gender politics, power, and life in the underworld; six humans learn that they are component parts of an ancient prophecy (Netflix).    Sherwood  A second season of the British drama about a murder investigation in a small-town, working-class community in the north of England (TVNZ+).     The Twelve   The strain of the trial taking its toll on all in the Court. As the end approaches, Kate insists on taking the stand to tell the truth about her relationship with Nathan, but her decision hands Bloom the weapon she needs to bring Kate down. Meanwhile Ezekiel finds evidence that may help salvage the case. With new revelations about her sister's betrayal, Diane's support begins to wane - but does she hold a secret that could smash things wide open? (TVNZ)    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

I have this photo from the night of the US election, eight years ago. It was a graffiti stencil, taken right outside where Hillary Clinton hoped she’d be having a celebration party in a few hours’ time. A bit of paint on the sidewalk with Clinton’s silhouette and a simple phrase underneath.   ‘I’m with her.’   With just two months to go, I’m all-in on the US election.   And I was reminded of that Hillary Clinton stencil as I watched Kamala Harris’ first and only TV interview as the Democrats nominee.   The interview was fine. Nothing too exciting and nothing too scandalous. I can’t imagine it moved the dial in any major way. But perhaps the most telling bit from a strategic sense, was Kamala Harris’ response when asked about Donald Trump questioning her black identity.   Harris paused and said just a few words: ‘Same old tired playbook. Next question please.’   That was it. She was served up a prime opportunity to talk at length about her identity. A different candidate might have talked about America’s histo

We Were Dangerous  In 1954 New Zealand, Nellie and Daisy attempt to escape an institution for delinquent girls, but they are caught and it triggers a relocation to a facility on a remote island. The duo become a trio as well-to-do Lou joins them, and life on the island takes shape under the command of the devout Matron. The trio rail against the system, dubious of the benevolence of the bible and taking refuge in their blossoming friendship. It’s hard to reform girls who don’t believe they need reforming. However, a sense of doom settles in when experimental forms of punishment take place in the dead of night. Nellie and Daisy plot rebellion, but unexpectedly find themselves at odds with Lou, who is afraid to break the rules.    Midas Man   In 1960s Liverpool, Brian Epstein encountered a rock band who would take the world by storm.    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is such a great brunch idea and a great start to Father’s Day. This mince is spiked with some fried onions and chilli and served with an egg.  Serves 4-6     Ingredients  2 tbsp olive oil   400g beef mince  2 carrots, grated   1 bay leaf   ¼ cup red wine   400g tin chopped tomatoes   ½ tsp sea salt + pepper  2 medium onions, sliced thinly   1 tbsp butter or oil   1-2 red chilli, sliced thinly   1 fried egg per person to serve  Ciabatta slices to serve, toasted   Finely chopped chives to garnish     Method  1.Heat oil in medium sized saucepan and brown mince, breaking it up with a fork as it cooks to keep it loose. Add grated carrot, bay leaf and red wine. Cook for 3-4 minutes then add tomatoes and seasoning. Reduce heat to a simmer and cook for 20-30 minutes.  Taste and season with more salt or pepper to dad’s taste.   2.Whilst mince cooks, fry onions in butter or oil. Get some really good colour on them before adding the chilli at the end. Set aside and use pan to fry eggs.  3.Plate up, topping mince wi

We Were Dangerous is a brand-new Kiwi film about girlhood, rebellion and violence – but it has friendship at its heart.  Although the story is fictional, it comes at a time that makes you feel it could have been plucked right from the history books.  It follows a misfit trio of Nellie, Daisy, and Lou, determined to rally against the system in 1950’s New Zealand.   The film won the Special Jury Prize at SXSW this year and made its premiere at the Auckland launch of the New Zealand International Film Festival.  Erana James and Nathalie Morris, Nellie and Lou, joined Jack Tame for a chat about the making of the film, the story it follows, and the success it has found.  LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Phenomenon of Irish post-punk, Fontaines D.C. have released their fourth studio album.  ‘Romance’, released on the 23rd of August, is an 11 track album in which music reviewer Estelle Clifford thinks they’ve found themselves.  “This album is where I feel like they've suddenly found themselves and taken a real creative look at this and how to do things a little bit differently.”  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tiger, Tiger: His Life, as It's Never Been Told Before by James Patterson   James Patterson--the only major author to have nine holes-in-one--gets inside the mystery of Tiger Woods as only he can. How did Tiger become the G.O.A.T., what drove him to fall so spectacularly, and how has he made his way back to the pinnacle of golf? In Patterson's hands, Tiger's story is an unputdownable thriller.  On April 13, 1986, ten-year-old Tiger Woods watches his idol, Jack Nicklaus, win his record sixth Masters.  Just over a decade later, chants of "Ti-ger, Ti-ger!" ring out as the twenty- one-year-old wins his first Green Jacket.  He blazes an incredible path, winning fourteen major titles (second only to Nicklaus himself) by the time he's thirty- three, smashing records and raising standards.  Then come multiple public scandals and potentially career-ending injuries.  The once-assured champion becomes an all-American underdog. "YouTube golfer" is how his two children know their father--winless since 2013--until he wins

"Enrobed by chiselled cliff tops, wild beaches and the serene Grey Valley, the West Coast’s biggest town of Greymouth is so much more than just a gateway to the region. Explorer Thomas Brunner named the river in honour Governor George Edward Grey, which also gave rise to the town’s name. The town centre is built on the site of the former Māori pa called Māwhera, which translates as 'wide spread river mouth’. The latest attraction in town that is the worth the trip alone is Pounamu Pathway – Māwhera." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVESee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Many of us experience disruptions to our sleep when we are busy or stressed. This can be due to our brains being switched into “flight or fight” mode. When this mode is on our body and brains are alert and actively looking for danger, which makes sense if our danger is from a wild animal but doesn’t make quite as much sense if our “danger” is from a high workload. This sense of alertness is the polar opposite to that state your body needs to be in for sleeping. In these situations, you might find yourself having trouble getting to sleep or waking in the middle of the night with a racing mind. This can leave you feeling tired and exhausted the next day, which may make you less effective at work, which in turn contributes to more stress!     Here's some tips for sleep during stressful times:  - If you can’t get to sleep or wake up in the middle of the night, don’t lie in bed for more than about 15mins – if you haven’t fallen asleep by then you’re probably not going to anytime soon. Get up and out of bed and do

A few weeks ago, after that yucky and cold spell in the middle of winter, I was checking my mistletoe to see how it had been coping under those chilly and frosty conditions.  Looked okay, but there were a few bite marks on the leaves. Hmmm… nothing worrying about though.  Ileostylus micranthus is the green mistletoe I “planted” on my kowhai bush a few years ago now.   The sticky seeds should be adhered to the twigs of the host plant and with a bit of luck the mistletoe will settle itself on that host plant by sending its “roots” (haustoria) into the host plant. The Mistletoe can then draw its nutrients from the host.  That makes it a “parasite”.  Under normal circumstances, the sticky seeds are “planted” by birds. They simply try to eat the seeds but often end up wiping their bill clean on the host plant.  Clever plant!  My neighbour across the road also has a green mistletoe, but his specimen is situated on a Coprosma virescens bush known by its Māori name as “Mingimingi”. A gorgeous native shrub with a diva

On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday 24 August 2024, Jack is joined by stars of new Kiwi film ‘We Were Dangerous’, Erana James and Nathalie Morris, to discuss winning the Special Jury Prize and SXSW 2024 and what it was like to film on Otamahua Quail Island in the South Island.  Jack finds New Zealand Rugby's communication around Leon MacDonald's exit refreshing.  An underrated vegetable is hailed in chef Nici Wickes leek, parmesan and prosciutto tart - with leeks current cheaper price point making it the perfect pairing when splashing out on pastry and other ingredients.  Psychologist Dougal Sutherland emphasises the importance of sleep and shares tips to try and combat sleep disruption.   And, phenomenon of Irish post-punk Fontaines D.C. have released their fourth studio album, Jack finds out how it ranks against their previous universally hailed records.  Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcas

The OCR cut has seen banks lower their rates – some cutting multiple times. But how low will they go? And what impact will this have? Lisa Dudson joined Jack Tame to run through the details.  LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Maybe virtual reality isn't as appetizing as the tech companies want it to be  Meta has decided to call it quits on making a high-end mixed reality headset to compete with the Apple Vision Pro. They started working on it back in November, but reportedly told staff this week to stop. The goal was to keep the price under $1000 which is getting harder and harder with the price of the micro-OLED displays needed.  Apple's Vision Pro has struggled to get interest from consumers and developers. Estimates suggest Apple won't sell more than 500,000 of them. Analysts think they're too expensive and consumers might need a cheaper model.  There are some surprising winners in the AI race  Mitsubishi Electric, known to many for heat pumps and air conditioning, are also makers of optical components used in data centers and with the rise of AI they're in mega demand. They're about to ramp production capacity to 50% more than last year, which they still don't think will be enough. They think they'll need to get to double tha

Pachinko   The hopes and dreams of four generations of a Korean immigrant family, beginning with a story of a forbidden romance that leads to a sweeping saga taking place in Korea, Japan and America (Apple TV+).     Industry   Young finance graduates venture out in the cut-throat competitive world to get a job during the recession times that followed as a result of the 2008 financial crisis (Neon).    The Marlow Murder Club   Retired archaeologist and crossword setter Judith Potts believes that a brutal murder has taken place in the sleepy town of Marlow; when the police refuse to believe her story, she kicks off a private investigation with two unlikely friends (TVNZ+).    Jack’s Pick:  Turning Point: The Bomb And The Cold War    A chronicle of Cold War history, from the development of the atomic bomb to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Including an examination of the collapse of the Soviet Union, the rise of Vladimir Putin and the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Netflix).    LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.co