Taking a look at recent, positive, uplifting, news stories and yarns, from New Zealand and all around the world, to bring a smile and a bit of cheer.

Strong signals of brighter economic future

Every day at NoCowboys we talk to tradies and business owners up and down the country. Despite incredibly challenging economic conditions over the past few years the vast majority of them are upbeat and optimistic. Since Covid many businesses in New Zealand have folded and my heart goes out to anyone who strikes out on their own and relies on their skills and craft to make a living. So, I want to give a huge upside to the tradies with NoCowboys. They work incredibly hard, way beyond a 40-hour hour week and they roll with the punches when the going gets hard. They deserve some good news.

This week there were positive signs that the future looks brighter than it has for a while. “ANZ’s Business Outlook survey showed headline confidence rose 7 points to a net 74 percent expecting better conditions. The more closely followed own activity outlook measure also rose 7 points to 61 percent positive, also its highest level in 30 years. Firms’ reported past activity lifting, up 7 points to net 29 percent positive – its highest level since August 2021.”

“‘The improvement in reported past activity (the best indicator of GDP in the survey) is strikingly broad-based and suggests annual GDP growth is going to head north rapidly,’ ANZ chief economist Sharon Zollner said. In a positive sign for the job market, past employment also improved to its highest level since November 2022. ‘Past employment is also recovering quickly, but retail is dragging the chain,’ Zollner said. One-year ahead inflation expectations were unchanged at 2.7 percent.” (Source: “Business confidence rises to 30-year high,” December 19, www.rnz.co.nz).

5 stars – to be honest, any positivity in the economy is a good thing – for business owners, consumers, indeed for all Kiwis.

Kiwi icon thrives on positivity and laughter

Comedian Dai Henwood has been battling cancer for the past five years and despite regular treatments and unforeseen complications he is still performing, gigging, making the most of every day. It’s very inspirational stuff indeed.

“’I find laughter so healing, and that’s why I always think laughter is what I need most in the hardest situations.’

“Henwood has even found those moments in the hospital’s chemotherapy room, proving there’s no such thing as a bad time for a giggle. ‘I go in there and sure it’s bloody tough for everyone who’s doing it and not everyone’s in a good mood, but there’s still laughter. I’ll share a joke with a couple of the people I know, and they might say something funny to me. Laughter is how you can deal with very hard situations.’

“One of the hardest things the comedian says he’s facing is the lack of progress when it comes to bowel cancer treatment, which he says hasn’t changed much since his diagnosis five years ago. ‘So I’m trying to keep this classic car on the road until a mechanic has an answer.'” (Source: “Dai Henwood: Comedy, chemo and how laughter helps him face cancer,” by Jenni Mortimer, December 21, www.nzherald.co.nz).

5 stars – pretty hard not be impressed by Dai’s fantastic attitude and commitment. Truly inspirational!

Christmas rules

However New Zealanders celebrate Christmas, it is much more than a day, a meal, giving and receiving gifts. It’s the time of year where we come together with those we love and cherish, feeling as if the holidays will go on forever and making the most of every single ray of sunshine.

Christmas also feels like a time of community as well, with those who we encounter out and about. It feels like freedom and it’s the hard earned break we get after a year working, studying, existing.

5 stars. Christmas is the best and wherever you are, Merry Christmas from all of the crew at NoCowboys!!!