Karl Puschmann: Love It or List It NZ and Minimum Wage

Kiwi ecologist and best-selling natural history author Robert Vennell is back with a new book. He published his first book seven years ago – 'The meaning of Trees' looking at the history and use of New Zealand's native plants. Since then, he's published 'Secrets of the Sea', 'The Forgotten Forest', and just last month released 'Song of the Birds', looking at the history of our native birds. In the book, Vennell looks at both how humans have impacted and shaped the lives of birds, and also how birds have shaped the lives of humans. "They've shaped our culture, and our, our language, and our worldview in lots of different ways," he told Jack Tame. "The book kind of explores the influence of birds on Te Ao Māori, sort of through the culture, through how birds have influenced the language, through whakapapa, through waiata and poetry..." "But also how birds have come to be this kind of shared New Zealand identity, a big part of how we think about ourselves is these kinds of distinctive, unique creatures in this little island in the South Pacific." LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kevin Milne has a conundrum. The Election is officially one week away on November 7th. Also on November 7th is his wife Linda's birthday. This puts Kevin between a rock and a hard place, as he loves watching the Election Night coverage, whereas Linda's not so keen. He put it to Jack Tame whether he should join her and their daughter for celebrations, or spend the night in front of the television. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Five years after releasing his debut album, Kiwi musician TEEKS is back with something new. 'Lovers Comet' explores desire, intimacy, identity, and love through the lens of celestial bodies and cosmic phenomena. Chris Schulz joined Jack Tame to share his thoughts on the album. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

"Ōamaru and the Waitaki District is undoubtedly having a moment. It is basking in the global spotlight. Not only has the destination been lauded as a must-visit in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel 2027 guide, but set-jetters will be stimulated by the town’s gorgeous historic district, as lavishly depicted in the major Netflix production, East of Eden. "I have long believed that Ōamaru stands tall as one of New Zealand’s finest towns, with its stately and seductive good looks, stirring local wildlife, astonishing heritage treasures, and alluring artisan verve. And it’s all anchored with a striking sense of community pride and passion. Even the public gardens are next-level, with so many artistic flourishes, including the much-loved Humpty Dumpty wall statue. The heritage streetscapes are bewitching, housing a hive of temptations, from the science fiction meets Victoriana fun of Steampunk, to the creatives, craft brewers and boutiques within the harbourside precinct." Read Mike's full article here. LISTEN ABOVE See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chain Reaction by Lee Child and Andrew Child Jack Reacher is a hard man to track down. And that’s just the way he likes it. But General Susan Turner, based deep inside the Pentagon, has the means, and the motive, to do so. She needs his help. A member of her team has been brutally murdered on covert duty. She can’t trust anyone she works with, not even her deputy. She needs someone from the outside. Someone who solves problems and disappears without a trace. Reacher heads to Summertown, Colorado. A town as remote and bizarre as it gets. One diner, one motel, five massive data centres, two giant solar farms humming away in the dust. Total population: four people. And one of them is watching him. But Reacher isn’t built to run. He’s built to finish things. General Turner knows: if they come for him, they'll regret it - all the way to the top of the chain.