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.
Auckland FC make history
Few teams win the league in their debut season in any sporting competition but Kiwi football team Auckland FC have taken out the A-League Premier Plate in style. With two games to go, Auckland topped the table after second placed team, Melbourne City drew 0-0 with Adelaide United. That means Auckland FC will be crowned today at their home against Perth Glory.
“They have won silverware at the first time of asking, with New Zealand’s other A-Leagues club, the Wellington Phoenix, still trophy-less after 18 seasons. The top six teams at the end of the regular season contest the Championship, with the winner decided in the grand final on the weekend of May 31. Auckland will now be looking to become the first expansion team to win the double in their first season.” (Source: “Auckland FC win Premiers’ Plate after Melbourne City draw with Adelaide United in A-League Men,” by Andrew Voerman, April 26, www.stuff.co.nz).
“A-League executive chair Stephen Conroy congratulated Auckland FC. ‘It’s testament to all involved with Auckland FC for the impact they’ve had on and off the field; playing fantastic football and building an incredible connection with the local football community.’” (Source: “Auckland FC make history with A-League Premier’s Plate victory,” April 27, www.nzherald.co.nz).
5 starts – an incredible feat and with two great teams in the A-League, the All Whites at the next World Cup, and football on the rise in New Zealand, things can only get better!
Lost pet found after 529 days
I’ve got a huge soft spot for stories about pets that return or are found after going missing and this tale is a real doozy! Valerie, a miniature dachshund went AWOL a year and a half ago on Kangaroo Island, South Australia and was rescued after a concerted effort by teams of searchers. She has now been returned to her owners, who are obviously overjoyed.
“Owner Georgia Gardner expressed her relief on social media. ‘For anyone who’s ever lost a pet, your feelings are valid and never give up hope,’ she said in a post. ‘Sometimes good things happen to good people. Incredibly grateful for Kangala Wildlife Rescue, the Kangaroo Island community, our friends, family and everyone who has contributed their support to rescue Val. We’ll see you soon Valerie.’
“The wildlife rescue said Kangaroo Island was a ‘perfect oasis’ for Valerie’s survival, with abundant overhead cover and many hiding spots to protect her in extreme weather. ‘While it’s been a great area for little Valerie, you can certainly see why this rescue has been challenging and keeping everyone on their toes,’ they said in a social post.” (Source: “Valerie the dachshund found ‘fit and well’ after 529 days on Kangaroo Island,” by Charmayne Allison, April 26, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – a very impressive survival by a wee dog, with a very happy ending as well. Big upside!
Kiwi translocation sets record
Our national bird may be hardy, wiley, and tough but it’s also prone to a number of predators and conservation efforts are critical to its well-being.
“Sanctuary Mountain Maungatautari, Save the Kiwi and Ngāti Korokī Kahukura have done it again: the 2025 kiwi translocation season has wrapped up in Waikato and it has been another record-breaker. Since February, 232 kiwi were moved from the sanctuary to new homes at Capital Kiwi in Wellington, Tongariro National Park and Taranaki Maunga, exceeding last year’s number of 222 translocated birds.
‘Save the Kiwi chief executive Michelle Impey said the Waikato translocation’s scale was impressive. ‘Typically in kiwi conservation, when we move kiwi, we are talking about maybe 40 birds over two or three years. “Moving hundreds at a time is just fantastic and showing we are working towards abundance [of the species].'” (Source: “On The Up: Waikato kiwi translocation season 2025 another record-breaker,” by Danielle Zollickhofer, April 25, www.nzherald.co.nz).
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