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.
Hero bystander
Being a part of a society sometimes requires us to do difficult things and oftentimes the danger of those encounters will stop many from helping. So when I read a story about a woman in Auckland who went above and beyond to help a teenager in dire circumstances, like so many, I was amazed. Driving in Manukau and seeing a violent altercation on the footpath, Mataaria Rei quickly exited her vehicle and used her body as a shield to protect a school kid being assaulted.
“‘In te ao Māori, we look after each other,’ said 21-year-old Mataaria Rei, who has received high praise for her actions after a video of the schoolboy brawl was posted online. The East Tāmaki resident had just driven up to the intersection of Osterley Way and Amersham Way in Manukau on Wednesday evening when she noticed the group of about 15 school boys running around and sparring. ‘They started shouting at each other… It just looked a bit suspicious.’
“Soon the shouting turned into fighting, and one of the boys fell to the ground, where others began kicking him as he lay in the fetal position. Rei told Stuff someone needed to intervene. Before she had time to consider the risk, she had jumped out of her car – leaving it running in the middle of the intersection – and used her body to protect the boy from the assault. ‘I covered my body over him, I was telling them to stop.'” (Source: “Meet the hero who stepped in to protect a boy from a savage beating, using her body as a shield,” by Caroline Williams, October 17, www.stuff.co.nz).
Her bravery saved the boy from further harm and the attackers dispersed. A video of her actions was published online garnering rightful praise and admiration for her quick thinking and courage.
5 stars – an incredible act putting someone else’s well-being a head of hers. Amazing stuff Mataaria!!!
Strangers comfort each other on plane
Flying can bring out the best and worst behaviour in people so it was nice to read a story recently of two travellers – one exhausted, one afraid of flying, who made each other feel better. On a flight between Auckland and Christchurch, Isaac Imrie was seated next to a very tired toddler who fell asleep against him. A video of the two of them then went viral online.
“In the video, a young girl travelling with her mother is seen struggling to stay awake before using her neighbour’s arm as a pillow. The video found its way to the head honchos at Air NZ, who sought to track down the man who had displayed ‘a small act of care and kindness’.
“‘I feel like it’s what any person would have done seeing this cute little girl dozing off,’ Isaac said. ‘I’m quite terrified of flying, but when she finally keeled over and leaned on my arm, it kept me kind of calm because I didn’t want to wake her.’ The Texan man – who said he had had ‘worse shifts’ – was touched to see people respond so kindly.
“Air NZ, which managed to track down Imrie after the flight, said his gesture was the kind of thing ‘we love to see and celebrate onboard’. The airline had given Imrie some Airpoints Dollars for his future travels, a spokesperson said. ‘It’s heartening to see our passengers embodying the spirit of manaaki – a little kindness really does go a long way,’ they said.” (Source: “Texan man filmed calming toddler on Air NZ flight ‘blown away’ by response,” by Sam Smith,October 17, www.stuff.co.nz).
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