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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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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