Jack’s animal antics
Jack Tame talks to Sarah Nealon about where he is celebrating Christmas and why owning a pet is something that should not be taken lightly.
It’s no secret that Jack Tame has had a big year. From becoming one of two new Breakfast co-hosts to covering headlining events ranging from the Rio Olympics to the US presidential election, the TVNZ presenter and reporter has been particularly busy. So it’s not surprising that he is looking forward to taking time out and spending Christmas with his family. This year Jack will be in Nelson for a special celebration. “My sister is getting married there in late December so we’re going to gather around there for Christmas,” says Jack, who grew up in Christchurch with his parents and three siblings. “I love the South Island. I’ve got a real soft spot for the top of the South Island, around Golden Bay and the Nelson area and the (Marlborough) Sounds. It’s such a gorgeous part of the country. It kind of has this perfect mix of being interesting and having good food and good beaches and interesting people but also being pretty chilled out. I’d move there in a heartbeat if I could.” But it’s Auckland where Jack is based for now and where he’s entering a new phase of his life. Just don’t say the word ‘settled’.
“It’s really not that complicated to register your dog or to micro-chip it or look at spaying or neutering your pets. It’s a responsible thing to do.” – Jack Tame
“Coming back to New Zealand I’ve been looking at getting a place in Auckland,” he says.
“I’ve even been considering whether or not to get a dog or something like that – although I’m taking time for that decision.
“The problem is, I’m always anxious to get stuff sorted as quickly as possible and get into a routine but I think that’s probably a decision that needs a fair bit of thought and consideration and one that I probably won’t make until I’m fully into a routine.
“You’ve got to be responsible about these things. But settled? I shudder at the term.”
Jack joined TVNZ 10 years ago where his first story was for the 6pm news on Christmas Eve. Since then he has reported for the network in Christchurch and Auckland as well as the US.
For TV Guide’s Christmas cover, Jack posed with Freya, a dog cared for by the SPCA. She has since been adopted into a loving home.
“That was so much fun,” Jack says. “She was amazing. You’re never ever quite sure how puppies will react, but the SPCA were so good. They calmed her really well. Honestly, she had so much love to give.
“It was great but I had slobber all over me by the end of it. She was a delight. It’s the toughest job in telly being photographed with a puppy.”
Jack admits that he is, “More of a dog man than a cat person” and says it is probably not fair that dogs sometimes get a bad rap.
“It should be that their owners get a bad rap,” he says. “It’s more just a question of responsibility I think.
“It’s really not that complicated to register your dog or to micro-chip it or look at spaying or neutering your pets. It’s a responsible thing to do.
“It’s not just good for everyone else and the community but it’s also good for your pet as well.
“The SPCA really promotes responsible pet ownership. But having a pet and being a responsible owner, it’s not just a rewarding thing for adults, but also it teaches a lot of important skills in children which are just part of being a good member of society.
“For the most part dogs don’t deserve a bad rap – or cats. It’s a difference in how responsible their owners are.”
Jack didn’t have a dog as a child but had a cat named Fluffy and two goldfish called Moe and Sonic.
He says there are many benefits to pet ownership.
“You’ve always got a companion and someone who will listen to your problems,” he says. “You’ve always got someone who will give you a big, gross lick if you like being licked. You’ve got someone to steal your tennis ball – even if you don’t want them to. It’s classic companionship...
“Having a pet also promotes a lot of life skills – not just thinking about yourself and having responsibility for another.”