Saturday Morning with Jack Tame

Witi Ihimaera Smiler has published over forty written works, including novels, memoir, non-fiction, and short stories, and he's not slowing down. 

This year alone he's already released three books – ‘Te Kaikaukau | The Swimmer’, ‘The Star Path of the Whales: A Return to the Realm of The Whale Rider’, and ‘Ariā and the Monster Island’, the third children’s book in the Astromancer series. 

He broke new ground as the country's first Māori novelist and has inspired generations of writers to find and tell their own stories, shaped by Māori culture and identity. 

Ihimaera Smiler is appearing at the Nelson Arts Festival later this month, and joined Jack Tame to chat about his journey as an author and his work towards achieving his dream of writing a novel in te reo. 

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Fontaines D.C. has released their newest album. 

'Dopamine Chamber' follows on from 'Romance', continuing the alternative rock sound the band created in the 2024 album. 

Its garnered positive reviews since its release yesterday, and so Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts. 

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Phoenix Palm Trees are fairly common in New Zealand, but what isn't commonly known is how dangerous they are.

After hearing about Jack's experience with the trees, Ruud Kleinpaste decided to break down some of the problems with them and give a few tips around getting rid of them.

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Partita by Barbara Kingsolver  

Livia Cable has made her peace with her marriage and modest livelihood in the farm country where she grew up, until a shocking phone call from an old lover shakes her to the core. Decades earlier, this man knew her as Livia Bohusz, a music conservatory student estranged from her home and family, uncertain of anything except her passion for music and promise as an extraordinary pianist. His request, now, to see her again stirs up ghosts she’s kept at bay for a lifetime. 

Shifting between past and present, Livia’s decision to meet or reject the reunion means confronting step by step, in memories framed as musical dances, the experiences of childhood loss, abandonment, self-immolating passion, and perilous attachment to a man who broke her belief in love and ruptured the course of her life. 

Victorious by V.E. Schwab  

The ExtraOrdinary of Merit City, a secret group of individuals gifted with a power connected to their manner of near-death experience, have been keeping a low profile, avoiding the ever-watchful eye of EON in the wake of the showdown with Marcella, Eli, and Serena.  

But when EON - and its relationship to the ExtraOrdinaries - begins to change under the leadership of a new director with a terrifying agenda, the time for hiding is over. The path to the truth of what happened to EON leads Victor, Sydney, Mitch and the rest into the enemy's lair at EON headquarters, where they encounter unexpected allies, shocking new abilities, and the ultimate confrontation.  

Against all the years, the betrayals, and the odds-the arch rivals and their allies will meet for a final time, on a chess board laid out by a rival they didn't expect. 

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"Purring through the tucks and folds of South Canterbury’s crinkled hinterland, the sense of anticipation was rising. Just west of Timaru, with the vast arc of the Hunters Hills backdropping the painterly landscape, my destination was Holme Station Homestead, set back from the Pareora River in Southburn. If you share my hankering for a grand historic escape, swathed in scenic seclusion, this is quite the address. Fresh from a monumental tip-to-toe restoration, the homestead has only been hosting guests since May – but the secret is spilling out to the world. Welcome to South Canterbury’s first and only luxury lodge. It’s the evocative sense of history that is a proud and constant refrain, caressing every aspect of an indelible stay here. History endures at Holme Station Homestead. It is a living, breathing link to our past, thoughtfully woven through to the present and fit-for-purpose for future generations."

Read MIke's full article here.

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This week is Mental Health Awareness week and the theme is Belonging – how to foster deeper connections with others. 

Strong relationships help reduce stress, increase positive emotions, strengthen our sense of purpose, and improve self-worth.  Research shows that people with stronger social connections tend to live longer and enjoy better mental and physical health  

The opposite is true for when we’re disconnected or lonely – a 2023 report from the US Surgeon General found that loneliness is worse for our physical health than smoking 15 cigarettes per day*. 

It’s not about how many people you know, healthy social connections have three dimensions:  

• Structure is about how many people are in our lives and how often we interact with them.  
• Function is about the support those relationships provide, whether that's practical help, emotional support, advice, encouragement, or a sense of inclusion.  
• Quality is about how those relationships make us feel. Do we experience trust, acceptance, respect, and care? Or do we experience criticism, tension, or disconnection?  

This distinction is important because someone can be surrounded by people and still feel lonely. Conversely, someone with only a handful of close relationships may feel deeply connected, supported, and valued.  

Loneliness can affect anyone, but research suggests it occurs in a U-shaped pattern, being more common among young adults and older adults compared to people in their middle age. 

There are many barriers that can make connection difficult.  

• Sometimes it's lack of time. Work commitments, caring responsibilities, long commutes, and financial pressures can leave little energy for relationships.  
• Sometimes it's life transitions such as moving to a new city, changing jobs, retirement, separation, bereavement, or changes in health.  
• For some people, anxiety, fear of rejection, or previous negative experiences can make it harder to reach out.  
• And for others, barriers such as disability, transport limitations, discrimination, or cultural differences can make social participation more challenging.  

One useful exercise is to do a relationship audit. Just as we occasionally review our physical health, we can also review our social health. Ask yourself:  

• Who do I spend time with regularly?  
• Which relationships energise me?  
• Which relationships feel supportive and reciprocal?  
• Who have I lost touch with?  
• Who would I like to know better or reconnect with?  

Once you’ve reflected on those questions, focus on strengthening the three dimensions of connection.  

First, strengthen structure.  

Create opportunities to connect. Schedule a regular coffee, walk, phone call, or shared activity rather than waiting for connection to happen spontaneously.  

Reach beyond your immediate circle. Join a club, volunteer, participate in community activities, or simply get to know your neighbours. Even brief positive interactions with people we see regularly can contribute to wellbeing.  

Second, strengthen function.  

Think about the different roles people play in your life.  

Who do you talk to when you need advice?  Who helps you have fun?  Who challenges you to learn?  Who helps you solve problems?  Who helps you feel part of something bigger than yourself?  

Healthy relationships are also reciprocal. Connection deepens when we both give and receive support. Sometimes that means asking clearly for help. Sometimes it means noticing what someone else might need and offering support.  

Finally, strengthen quality.  

This may be the most important dimension of all.  

Be fully present when you're with people. Put the phone away. Listen to understand rather than immediately trying to fix the problem or offer solutions.  

Celebrate people's successes. Follow up on things they have shared. Express appreciation. Check in when you know someone is going through a difficult time.  

And when misunderstandings occur, as they inevitably do in any relationship, address them early. Repairing relationships often begins with acknowledging the impact of our actions and taking responsibility for our part.  

Strong relationships don't require perfection. They require attention, respect, and care.  

*Loneliness can affect live expectancy via:  

• Biological effects  
  • Increased inflammation  
  • Elevated stress hormones  
  • Weaker immune function  
  • Higher blood pressure and cardiovascular strain  
• Psychological effects  
  • Greater stress  
  • Less sense of purpose and belonging  
  • Increased risk of depression and anxiety  
• Behavioural effects  
  • Worse sleep  
  • Less exercise  
  • Poorer diet  
  • Reduced adherence to medical treatment 

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On the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast for Saturday October 17, 2026, esteemed NZ author Witi Ihimaera Smiler is in studio ahead of his appearance at the Nelson Arts Festival. 

Jack has a bone to pick with the Phoenix Palm Tree. 

Dr Dougal Sutherland has the latest stats on how loneliness can affect our mental and physical wellbeing, along with some tips on how to build strong relationships. 

We visit the exquisite new luxury lodge, Holme Station Homestead in South Canterbury, with our resident tourist Mike Yardley. 

And Fontaines D.C released Dopamine Chamber, their fifth album, to 5-star reviews this week. Music maestro Chris Schulz gives us the low down on the biggest tracks. 

Get the Saturday Morning with Jack Tame Full Show Podcast every Saturday on iHeartRadio, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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The Wine: Black Cottage Pinot Gris 2026, Marlborough RRP from $20.00  

A classic modern style of Gris with a pungent, very bright, and fruity bouquet, and core of bosc pear and apple, some white spice, sweet citrus peel and fine lees suggestions then a touch of fresh quince flesh. A just-dry expression with a tickle of sugar as the wine touches the palate adding to a satin-cream mouthfeel with acidity for contrast and freshness. Balanced, well-made, and ready for the warm days ahead. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2028.  

The Vintage 

2026 was an outstanding vintage for this producer and for many across the Motu. A dry start to the growing season followed by a cool January and warm settled weather with warm, sunny days and cool nights leading up to the harvest. With a well-managed vineyard site this delivers fruit with optimal ripeness and concentration and plenty of acidity.  

The Food 

Because there’s a tickle of sweetness with this wine it is well suited to dishes that have a spice kick. I can recommend:  

A horopito spiced rub on a fillet of fresh fish (dry the leaves, mix with sea salt flakes and some pepper and grind down with a mortar and pestle). 

If it’s still a bit cooler in your region, then a spiced coconut and kumara soup with cumin, coriander, turmeric, and ginger.  

Or oven roasted fingerling potatoes with parmesan cheese and paprika as a side dish. 

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Elon Musk shows "flying cars are real"  

Our science-fiction (and Jetson's) dreams are coming true!  

In the first demo, the car showed its 'sucking power' by driving up a curved ramp shaped like half of a roller coaster loop to eventually be completely upside down. Then, instead of reversing back down, it launched itself off the end of the road —upside down— and then used booster units on the car to turn it back the right way and lower itself to the ground.  

Then, the Roadster accelerated towards a collection of other Tesla cars (and a semi-truck), launched itself 27 feet into the air, and landed back on the road. To do that it uses 600 litres of compressed air and ten directional cold-gas thruster nozzles. The car can do 0-60mph in 0.81-seconds.  

This version we saw only seats a single person and isn't likely to be allowed on any public road anytime soon.  

Love him or hate him, Elon has shown yet again that he can achieve the impossible and put on one hell of a show. Of course, there was no release date or price.  

Apple's new Home lineup  

A 7-inch smart display that acts as a central home hub for entertainment, calls, and smart control. It comes on a base that makes it look like the old iMac or it can be wall mounted.  

The display uses face recognition to provide personalized information for up to six people. No app store yet – that's coming later. I'm thinking of it like a next generation home phone.   

They also announced a new lineup of end-to-end encrypted smart accessories, including indoor/outdoor cameras, thermostats, temperature sensors, a video doorbell, and a smart door lock.   

The new Apple TV has built in mics so you can use Siri and has a remote you can make beep when you lose it! 

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Lessons on Living with John Aiken 

This series offers practical tools for navigating life's toughest moments. Based on Nigel Latta's best-selling book, fellow clinical psychologist John Aiken steps in and presents Lessons on Living (Sky Open, Neon, ThreeNow). 

Below  

When a mysterious sea creature starts terrorizing a coastal town, a fisherman must fight to protect his family and his community's vanishing way of life (Netflix). 

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