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.
Whale of a time in Sydney Harbour
Water traffic in Sydney Harbour faced a novel issue last week – a curious humpback whale that had strayed from its migratory path and found a bit of adventure in one of the most famous harbours in the world.
“The sub-adult whale was spotted by commuters on a harbour ferry service near Fort Denison about 8am on Wednesday. It swam to Circular Quay – Sydney’s central ferry terminal – before moving east towards the defence base of Garden Island then to Watsons Bay and north to Balmoral Bay.
“Speaking from a New South Wales Maritime boat shadowing the creature, the whale expert Dr Vanessa Pirotta said it was ‘not every day a whale takes a detour and hangs out in Watsons Bay’. Its harbour trip was posing a ‘navigational challenge’ for ferries and vessels, she said.
“While it’s not unusual for a whale to briefly leave the ‘humpback highway’ running up and down Australia’s east coast – four humpbacks have been seen in the harbour this migratory season, Pirotta said – it was ]crazy’ for the creatures to be as inquisitive and explorative as this one. Most will hang out around Manly and then work out it’s not in the right place and swim away, but this one is having the full harbour experience,’ Pirotta said.” (Source: “‘Inquisitive, relaxed’ humpback whale swimming in Sydney Harbour delays ferries and boats,” July 16, www.guardian.co.uk).
5 stars – it’s always a joy to see unexpected animals in mostly human environments and this whale’s visit had a happy ending – a short visit and then back to its migratory journey!
Norsewear beats the drum for local suppliers
After complaints from a number of All Blacks fans, Kiwi clothing company Norsewear decided to reach out to New Zealand Rugby and let them know that NZ wool beanies are far superior to acrylic ones made overseas. Well, of course they are!
“[Norsewear]Owner Tim Deane RNZ’s told Checkpoint the open letter posted to Facebook on Thursday was prompted after feedback from rugby fans, annoyed to discover their official headwear was acrylic. ‘Earlier this week, we were contacted by some die-hard All Blacks fans upset that their All Blacks beanies are synthetic, offshore imports,’ the post read. ‘They told us some synthetic beanies are being used as fire starters instead of head warmers. Doesn’t it follow that our sporting legends might wear the very fabric our Kiwi identity is wrapped up in? Wool and rugby? It’s a combo that makes a whole lot of sense. We want those cauliflower ears protected from the cold.’
“A day later, Deane said he received a call from NZ Rugby. ‘They were very good-natured about it… and said the post had a number of them smiling in the New Zealand Rugby offices. They said, look, we’d love to chat in the next couple of weeks just to see if there’s anything we could work together on.’
“Deane argues that New Zealand wool products can be competitively priced. You can buy a Norsewear Hudson beanie for $29.95,”‘ he said, noting it’s cheaper than some of the official synthetic alternatives. At the time of the interview, the official All Blacks acrylic beanie retailed at $45.” (Source: “Wool meets rugby: Norsewear open letter sparks talks with NZ Rugby,” July 18, www.rnz.co.nz).
5 stars – New Zealand Rugby’s response is great and hopefully All Blacks fans will soon have the option to support local and own superior products! Total upside.
Best country in the world
New Zealand has been named the ‘world’s best country’ by readers who voted in the annual Telegraph [UK] Travel poll. Not that that will come as any huge surprise to most of us!
“The Telegraph’s editors wrote: ‘And so the world settled back onto its axis, and the baffled expressions were wiped away. New Zealand’s rank in this list has generally been a binary sequence – a repetition of the number one that had gone uninterrupted for more than a decade until the 2023 results sparked a sudden drop to… second.’
“The Telegraph has published ‘10 reasons why New Zealand is the best country on Earth’, which includes the Great Walks, the cycling trails, Māori and Polynesian culture and the dark sky sanctuaries. ‘Yet while other countries have become less welcoming, more violent, too hot, or too polluted, New Zealand has simply continued to offer a safe and friendly welcome to visitors.'” (Source: “The ‘best country in the world’ has been named. Start celebrating, New Zealand,” by Alan Granville, July 18, www.stuff.co.nz).
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