1
00:00:07,133 --> 00:00:10,453
Speaker 1: You're listening to the Saturday Morning with Jack team podcast

2
00:00:10,573 --> 00:00:11,933
Speaker 1: from News Talks atb.

3
00:00:13,333 --> 00:00:16,173
Speaker 2: Mike Gaby is our travel corresponding morning.

4
00:00:17,293 --> 00:00:19,773
Speaker 3: Good morning Jack. It's all happening in Hamilton.

5
00:00:20,013 --> 00:00:22,373
Speaker 2: It is always all happening in Hamilton. It actually is

6
00:00:22,373 --> 00:00:24,253
Speaker 2: all happening in Hamilton at the moment because the arts.

7
00:00:24,133 --> 00:00:28,013
Speaker 3: Festivals are scared, that's right. Yes, I was just thinking

8
00:00:28,013 --> 00:00:30,813
Speaker 3: about Spore, which we will be discussing later this out.

9
00:00:30,853 --> 00:00:33,373
Speaker 3: But I'd have to say the Hamilton Arts Festival has

10
00:00:33,413 --> 00:00:37,533
Speaker 3: actually cultivated a very strong reputation. So it kicked off

11
00:00:37,573 --> 00:00:41,093
Speaker 3: yesterday ten days of spectacles and performances. I was in

12
00:00:41,133 --> 00:00:43,533
Speaker 3: the tron last week and there's a real spring in

13
00:00:43,573 --> 00:00:46,413
Speaker 3: the step on the streets of Hamilton, and I think

14
00:00:46,453 --> 00:00:50,773
Speaker 3: it's just that artsy cret just keeps ramping up. For example,

15
00:00:51,493 --> 00:00:54,133
Speaker 3: the b n Z Theater at the city's Grand Stage

16
00:00:54,853 --> 00:00:57,013
Speaker 3: open just a few weeks ago, and you'll recall all

17
00:00:57,013 --> 00:00:59,533
Speaker 3: of the whoha over the demolition of the Founder's Theater.

18
00:01:00,213 --> 00:01:04,453
Speaker 3: So this new performance space is very much taking its place,

19
00:01:04,573 --> 00:01:07,773
Speaker 3: and I've done such an amazing job with it. So

20
00:01:07,973 --> 00:01:11,013
Speaker 3: it's wrapped in the century old facade of the Hamilton

21
00:01:11,053 --> 00:01:13,853
Speaker 3: Hotel and Victoria Street, and then inside they've got this

22
00:01:14,413 --> 00:01:18,093
Speaker 3: massive three level auditorium. I think it seats thirteen hundred,

23
00:01:18,133 --> 00:01:21,293
Speaker 3: so it is quite the venue. And if you do

24
00:01:21,453 --> 00:01:24,653
Speaker 3: go into the theater, something very cooled I've done with

25
00:01:24,733 --> 00:01:29,013
Speaker 3: the paneling inside the auditorium. It mimics the curvature of

26
00:01:29,093 --> 00:01:33,213
Speaker 3: the Waycuto River, which is, yeah, just brilliant, So definitely

27
00:01:33,213 --> 00:01:33,973
Speaker 3: worth checking out.

28
00:01:34,053 --> 00:01:36,933
Speaker 2: Oh very good Hamilton Garden's busy at the moment.

29
00:01:37,973 --> 00:01:41,333
Speaker 3: Oh my goodness, Jack, it was swarming when I was

30
00:01:41,373 --> 00:01:46,373
Speaker 3: there last week, internationals galore, stuffing their eyes with wonder

31
00:01:46,413 --> 00:01:49,213
Speaker 3: And that actually doesn't surprise me because I was thinking

32
00:01:49,213 --> 00:01:52,573
Speaker 3: about this on a reflective note that if the Hamilton

33
00:01:52,653 --> 00:01:57,053
Speaker 3: Gardens was located in London or Los Angeles, yea, or Lisbon,

34
00:01:57,293 --> 00:02:00,493
Speaker 3: it would still just be the blockbuster it is. It

35
00:02:00,573 --> 00:02:04,253
Speaker 3: is so world class, and I love the fact that,

36
00:02:04,373 --> 00:02:06,573
Speaker 3: you know, when you look at the backstory of that light,

37
00:02:08,013 --> 00:02:12,453
Speaker 3: it's just deliciously ironic to think this iconic beauty was

38
00:02:12,493 --> 00:02:15,893
Speaker 3: once the site of the city's rubbish dump. It's quite

39
00:02:15,893 --> 00:02:17,493
Speaker 3: a transformation, isn't it. Really.

40
00:02:17,613 --> 00:02:20,253
Speaker 2: It's madness, isn't it madness? And like I said, just

41
00:02:20,293 --> 00:02:22,733
Speaker 2: going from streets to strength in terms of popularity at

42
00:02:22,733 --> 00:02:25,133
Speaker 2: the moment. So what's the latest installment of the gardens.

43
00:02:25,933 --> 00:02:28,853
Speaker 3: Yeah, well, at the moment there are eighteen enclosed gardens

44
00:02:28,893 --> 00:02:32,253
Speaker 3: on display. The master plan, which Peter Sergele put in

45
00:02:32,293 --> 00:02:35,173
Speaker 3: place about forty years ago, was for a total collection

46
00:02:35,253 --> 00:02:39,293
Speaker 3: of thirty grain designs, and thus sticking with that vision,

47
00:02:39,373 --> 00:02:42,333
Speaker 3: that is the long term plan. So the next cab

48
00:02:42,413 --> 00:02:46,893
Speaker 3: off the Rank opens in a couple of months, probably May,

49
00:02:47,333 --> 00:02:50,693
Speaker 3: and it's the Medieval Garden. Oh my goodness. I've given

50
00:02:50,693 --> 00:02:54,893
Speaker 3: a sneak peek of it, and you will feel transported

51
00:02:54,933 --> 00:02:58,293
Speaker 3: to the cloistered courtyards of the Middle Ages. I have

52
00:02:58,533 --> 00:03:02,573
Speaker 3: expected to see some monks pass by deep in contemplation.

53
00:03:03,053 --> 00:03:08,533
Speaker 3: It is just so meticulously done. The architecture is sublime,

54
00:03:08,733 --> 00:03:11,893
Speaker 3: and there are really fascinating aspects to it, like the

55
00:03:12,173 --> 00:03:16,973
Speaker 3: Apothecary's garden, which is very much based on the idea

56
00:03:17,053 --> 00:03:20,213
Speaker 3: of you know, Hoopal gardens healing the sick in the

57
00:03:20,253 --> 00:03:23,613
Speaker 3: monastic hospital back in the day. It has dropped dead, gorgeous.

58
00:03:23,653 --> 00:03:24,533
Speaker 3: It will be a huge hit.

59
00:03:24,653 --> 00:03:26,853
Speaker 2: Yes, I looked this up because I wanted to get

60
00:03:26,853 --> 00:03:28,373
Speaker 2: a bit of a steer on what it's going to

61
00:03:28,373 --> 00:03:30,733
Speaker 2: look like. Apparently it's based on a monastery in Sicily.

62
00:03:31,573 --> 00:03:35,013
Speaker 2: That's why new media, how extrawdinary. I just love it,

63
00:03:35,293 --> 00:03:38,213
Speaker 2: you know, Yeah, like you sais world class.

64
00:03:38,213 --> 00:03:39,413
Speaker 3: It really is. Yeah.

65
00:03:39,613 --> 00:03:41,853
Speaker 2: So as a guided tour of the gardens, worth it.

66
00:03:41,773 --> 00:03:45,933
Speaker 3: In your view? Yeah, good question, Jack, because previously I

67
00:03:46,053 --> 00:03:50,293
Speaker 3: had just footloosed it fuss free. Last week I teamed

68
00:03:50,373 --> 00:03:53,133
Speaker 3: up with the guide and I actually felt like a

69
00:03:53,173 --> 00:03:59,213
Speaker 3: total schmuck afterwards, because without a guide you will miss

70
00:03:59,413 --> 00:04:02,493
Speaker 3: so much wizardry. You know, you need that guiding hand

71
00:04:02,653 --> 00:04:06,133
Speaker 3: just to point out the subtle touches, the hidden secrets,

72
00:04:06,893 --> 00:04:10,373
Speaker 3: and all of these gardens are like a window in time,

73
00:04:10,973 --> 00:04:17,573
Speaker 3: marking major eras and empires and human civilization. Like for example,

74
00:04:17,573 --> 00:04:22,733
Speaker 3: in the Indian Chabah Garden, it resembles a giant Persian carpet,

75
00:04:22,773 --> 00:04:25,933
Speaker 3: and I hadn't really actually previously appreciated that. So it's

76
00:04:25,973 --> 00:04:29,773
Speaker 3: loaded with four thousand colorful plants. They changed them out

77
00:04:29,813 --> 00:04:32,333
Speaker 3: three times a year. That's a lot of plants. But

78
00:04:32,373 --> 00:04:35,053
Speaker 3: the whole thing resembles a Persian carpet, and that is

79
00:04:35,093 --> 00:04:38,973
Speaker 3: a tribute to the Mogul Empire and the ancient Egypt.

80
00:04:38,973 --> 00:04:42,333
Speaker 3: The personal favor of mine, so much thought was put

81
00:04:42,373 --> 00:04:46,253
Speaker 3: into it. There is nothing quite like this outside of Egypt.

82
00:04:46,653 --> 00:04:49,493
Speaker 3: And I love how you see papyrus growing in the

83
00:04:49,533 --> 00:04:52,413
Speaker 3: sprawling lily pond and Hamilton gardens. You know, it's just

84
00:04:53,133 --> 00:04:53,773
Speaker 3: really cool.

85
00:04:53,853 --> 00:04:57,093
Speaker 2: Yes, extraordinary, isn't it. And the street of Gray Streets

86
00:04:57,133 --> 00:04:58,493
Speaker 2: really handy to her gardens though.

87
00:04:59,453 --> 00:05:01,693
Speaker 3: Yes, I was rather the peckish after the garden here,

88
00:05:01,893 --> 00:05:05,813
Speaker 3: so very handily located Gray Street just a few hundred

89
00:05:05,893 --> 00:05:11,293
Speaker 3: meters away, teaming with temptations, and just two years ago,

90
00:05:11,773 --> 00:05:15,333
Speaker 3: in the thick of the action, made Mark Made Market

91
00:05:15,453 --> 00:05:19,853
Speaker 3: opened and this is such an awesome multi story food

92
00:05:19,893 --> 00:05:23,053
Speaker 3: haul and retail emporium. I actually thought, oh, there's a

93
00:05:23,053 --> 00:05:27,933
Speaker 3: bit of christ Church Riverside market to this. So many

94
00:05:27,973 --> 00:05:32,253
Speaker 3: goodies and I would suggest you don't go past Pasta

95
00:05:32,293 --> 00:05:36,853
Speaker 3: Paradiso for their panzerotti and profit roles very good. I

96
00:05:36,933 --> 00:05:39,253
Speaker 3: had you on my mind in Gray Street, Jack, because

97
00:05:39,253 --> 00:05:43,413
Speaker 3: I had to make a stop at Duck Island's flagship

98
00:05:43,533 --> 00:05:47,013
Speaker 3: ice cream parlor. This is the original a wykdo' heroo

99
00:05:47,093 --> 00:05:51,133
Speaker 3: for ten years and very into seasonality with their flavors,

100
00:05:51,173 --> 00:05:54,133
Speaker 3: so a very popular seller which I had to sample

101
00:05:54,493 --> 00:05:57,613
Speaker 3: white chocolate, macadamia and pomer granite.

102
00:05:58,933 --> 00:06:01,493
Speaker 2: Yeah, I go for that. Do you do you do

103
00:06:01,573 --> 00:06:04,253
Speaker 2: the samples beforehand or do you just go straight from them?

104
00:06:04,813 --> 00:06:07,973
Speaker 3: No, I'm very very cureeious about some players. Yes, and

105
00:06:08,013 --> 00:06:09,893
Speaker 3: I'm generous at Duck Island.

106
00:06:09,733 --> 00:06:12,013
Speaker 2: They are the thing. Yeah, I just commit. I just

107
00:06:12,013 --> 00:06:13,813
Speaker 2: feel like I know it in my bones. You know,

108
00:06:13,933 --> 00:06:16,413
Speaker 2: I feel like I know ice cream so well. I

109
00:06:16,453 --> 00:06:18,693
Speaker 2: love Duck Island ice cream that I can just say,

110
00:06:18,773 --> 00:06:20,293
Speaker 2: you know what, I'm going to go for that. And

111
00:06:20,373 --> 00:06:22,853
Speaker 2: I mean truth be told. You can't read it, just

112
00:06:22,853 --> 00:06:23,933
Speaker 2: go wrong, can you?

113
00:06:25,093 --> 00:06:26,853
Speaker 3: This is true? I mean they actually put a lot

114
00:06:26,853 --> 00:06:28,973
Speaker 3: of food into all of their different flavors, don't they.

115
00:06:29,013 --> 00:06:33,053
Speaker 2: So yeah, there's not like toe fungus, and you know

116
00:06:33,173 --> 00:06:36,333
Speaker 2: it's like they're pretty safe when it comes to the flavors.

117
00:06:37,573 --> 00:06:40,173
Speaker 2: Is the true river Ride trail worth hiring a bike for?

118
00:06:40,293 --> 00:06:40,773
Speaker 2: Do you reckon?

119
00:06:41,653 --> 00:06:44,453
Speaker 3: Yeah? Definitely, Jack so Tawa river Ride was one of

120
00:06:44,493 --> 00:06:48,653
Speaker 3: the John Key originals and it has steadily extended as

121
00:06:48,733 --> 00:06:52,493
Speaker 3: far as Cuta Piedo. Apparently it's the longest concrete cycle

122
00:06:52,533 --> 00:06:55,133
Speaker 3: trailer in New Zealand. And if you just want to

123
00:06:55,133 --> 00:06:56,693
Speaker 3: we taste it, maybe you're a bit time poor for

124
00:06:56,813 --> 00:07:01,573
Speaker 3: all great. We tasted Hamilton Gardens to Cambridge superb and

125
00:07:01,613 --> 00:07:03,773
Speaker 3: there are shuttle services if you only want to ride

126
00:07:03,773 --> 00:07:07,533
Speaker 3: one way. It's twenty two k that section. But it's

127
00:07:07,533 --> 00:07:10,333
Speaker 3: so picturesque. So you've got the lush forests, you've got

128
00:07:10,373 --> 00:07:14,653
Speaker 3: the native bat colonies, lots of bridges and elevated boardwalks

129
00:07:14,653 --> 00:07:18,413
Speaker 3: and they all serve up just the most knockout river views.

130
00:07:18,693 --> 00:07:19,573
Speaker 3: Really good ride.

131
00:07:19,693 --> 00:07:22,453
Speaker 2: Yeah, and do you reckon that? Punnet Eatery is a

132
00:07:22,453 --> 00:07:24,573
Speaker 2: good little spot for a tasty stop over.

133
00:07:25,773 --> 00:07:28,773
Speaker 3: Well, they are brilliantly located because you've only just been

134
00:07:28,853 --> 00:07:31,893
Speaker 3: out of the gardens for probably twenty minutes and you're

135
00:07:31,893 --> 00:07:36,573
Speaker 3: in Tamahiri where this wildly popular gathering spot is and

136
00:07:36,613 --> 00:07:39,853
Speaker 3: it attracts a lot of cyclists. So this was originally

137
00:07:39,853 --> 00:07:43,493
Speaker 3: a strawberry farm, it's now got all the cozy farmhouse

138
00:07:43,573 --> 00:07:47,573
Speaker 3: feels you could dream of awesome eats. And what I

139
00:07:47,613 --> 00:07:50,133
Speaker 3: love about Punnet is they do a roaring trade in

140
00:07:50,733 --> 00:07:53,293
Speaker 3: a lot of ready made take ho meals and sweet treats.

141
00:07:53,413 --> 00:07:56,973
Speaker 3: And if there is one reason to stop Jack at Punnit,

142
00:07:57,493 --> 00:08:00,733
Speaker 3: it would be to score a bag of the peanut

143
00:08:00,733 --> 00:08:02,413
Speaker 3: brittle that'll keep you going.

144
00:08:02,373 --> 00:08:06,933
Speaker 2: Yeah, peanut, is it really your teeth?

145
00:08:07,853 --> 00:08:10,053
Speaker 3: Oh yeah, oh yeah, that's the good stuff.

146
00:08:10,653 --> 00:08:14,133
Speaker 2: Let's say you measure a good brittle. That's so good. Yeah,

147
00:08:14,173 --> 00:08:15,693
Speaker 2: like you said, it feels like the tron's are a great

148
00:08:15,693 --> 00:08:18,533
Speaker 2: place at the moment. Hey kind of going a role. Yeah,

149
00:08:18,573 --> 00:08:21,573
Speaker 2: everything is happening in Hamilton. We will make sure all

150
00:08:21,613 --> 00:08:25,733
Speaker 2: of Mike's tips for exploring Hamilton and enjoying its myriad

151
00:08:25,813 --> 00:08:28,613
Speaker 2: pleasures are up on the news Talks he'd be website,

152
00:08:28,813 --> 00:08:31,093
Speaker 2: our show page, of course news talks. He'db dot co

153
00:08:31,293 --> 00:08:33,933
Speaker 2: dot nz, forward slash Jack.

154
00:08:34,453 --> 00:08:37,573
Speaker 1: For more from Saturday Morning with Jack Tame. Listen live

155
00:08:37,653 --> 00:08:40,493
Speaker 1: to News Talks he'd be from nine am Saturday, or

156
00:08:40,533 --> 00:08:42,453
Speaker 1: follow the podcast on iHeartRadio