For customers
Why do we leave feedback?
Each year a company in the US publishes the results of an annual survey examining online reviews and consumer behaviour. It's always a fascinating read and it continues to affirm how essential reviews are to consumers making online purchasing decisions. This year's...
We are not all leaders but not all of us know that
Following the deadly climate event unleashed upon Auckland and current mayor, Wayne Brown's much criticised leadership 'performance' I have been thinking about leadership, leaders, and the people who are incredibly good at leading and those who, well, aren't. In doing...
Tune out, turn off, drop out – how to remove online anger
There's been a lot of discussion about online abuse in the past week, since the prime minister, Jacinda Ardern resigned and it is a sobering reminder of what online is, what it could be, and what it shouldn't be. It's important to remember that online is a human...
What to look for in online reviews
Every now and again we will get enquiries from Kiwis using our site or seeing NoCowboys reviews online. I thought it would be useful to point out a few important factors about online reviews and ours, in particular, to make the process of reading them easier. How are...
A little less conversation, a little more action, please
Around this time of year there is the usual slew of summaries of the worst and the best of the preceding twelve months - movies, TV shows, albums, political events, sporting successes, personal glories or failures. They tend to segue seamlessly into the obligatory New...
A cautionary tale – read the reviews first!
If ever you needed to be reminded to read the reviews before taking on a business to do work for you, a recent story on www.stuff.co.nz puts it into full focus. Christchurch business, Saxon Appliances is closing its doors after many years in business and Stuff...
Growing your own food – win win!
I grew up in a New Zealand where practically every home had a garden that supplied a healthy and consistent crop of fruit and vegetables. Gardening was not a hobby but an accepted necessity and now as we find ourselves subject to the financial squeeze brought on by...
Want the best painting results? Check the weather
Painting the exterior of your home is a necessary investment that protects and enhances your most valuable asset. Before you even consider commissioning a painting professional to get the project started, do a bit of due diligence and consider the best time of the...
Turn that downside upside down
Petrol prices, groceries, interest rates, and inflation are all on the rise, practically everywhere in the world, and in New Zealand we have the added frustration of a scarcity of essential building supplies to satisfy what is touted as a 'building boom'. All the...
Thumbs up, thumbs down? No thanks
There's a few review platforms out there aiming to deliver the benefits of online reviews for businesses but failing as they do not actually focus on the key, as well as tangential benefits, of online consumer reviews. In essence they send out a message to customers...
Make your feedback valuable
I was reading an article online recently with guidelines on how to leave great feedback - whether positive or negative - and it reminded me that at its core - feedback is a conversation. What I mean is that the words we choose in the feedback we leave are...
My last dalliance with an irritating brand
A month ago my phone decided that its sure and steady trek to oblivion was getting tiresome and decided to quicken the pace. I had the phone for a year. It was a refurb - that's refurbished for those who still take pleasure in avoiding the need to shorten or...
The Covid pandemic and online reviews
The past two years have transformed our lives, no matter where we are in the world. In the coming years, behavioural psychologists will have a field day, filling academic journals with papers focused on the many and various ways that the Coronavirus has impacted our...
Kiwi Rugby Final, Ancient Tomb Found, and NZ Team On Big Stage
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. All Kiwi Super Rugby final A weekend of semi-finals in the Super Rugby Pacific competition saw the Canterbury...
Ship Fails To Wake Sleeper, Kiwi Speedster, and Otago Eatery Awarded
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. NZ restaurant makes influential list For the first time ever a Kiwi eatery, Otago's Amisfield restaurant, has been...
Lorde Surprises Fans, Moose Mystery, And Northlander Helps Troubled Youth
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. Lorde crashes Lorde party New Zealand musician Lorde was a very welcome and surprise guest at a party in Sydney...
NZDF Turns To Local Sock Maker, Cemetery Bust Found, and Kiwi Photographers Rewarded
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. Long lost cemetery bust turns up in police raid 37 years after it disappeared, the bust that once adorned Jim...
Scrapping Native Creatures, Copy Proves To Be Valuable Original, and Clothes Line Mystery Solved
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. Cheap copy turns out to be valuable original This story mirrors those best moments in 'Antiques Roadshow' where...
Local Hero, 70,000 Lollipop Carnival, and Heart Transplant Marathons
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. Local hero is a serial helper Most communities in New Zealand have local heroes who help out whenever they can,...
Tradies Charity Build, Champion Cheese, And Teenage Cricketer Hits Century
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. Build for charity in Christchurch What began as one building company owner's idea to pay something back after getting...
Auckland FC Win Title, Kiwi Conservation Effort, And Lost Dachshund Found
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...
Centurion Eases Up, Kiwis Love Feijoas, Moose Migration
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. Centurion dials back competitive streak After reaching 100 years of age, croquet master Neville Sandiford decided it...
Hāngī Business Takes Off, Truckie Hero, and Tourist Hails Kiwi Kindness
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. Hāngī business fills gap in the market Hutt Valley local CJ Collier took a lack of local hāngī food and created a...
Inspirational Black Fern, App For Best Pies, and Amazing Channel Swim
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. Black Fern a true inspiration Rugby World Cup winner, Ruby Tui is more than just a force to be reckoned with on a...
All Whites Off To World Cup, Speedy Octopus, And Forgetful Pilot
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. All Whites going to the World Cup For the third time in their history, the All Whites will be competing at the World...
Speedy Kiwi Teenager, Fog Busters, and Lost Christchurch In Miniature
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. Teenager beats world record It's 71 years since Roger Bannister ran the first sub four minute mile and since then...
Impressive Native Insect, Last Metal Road Sealed, and Garden City Airport a Cracker
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. Bug of the year is an ancient handful From the 'I never knew we had a bug of the year competition' files comes the...
Busy Beavers, Hercules Last Flight, and Dump May Hold Treasure
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. Beavers get the job done This is a rather uplifting tale that yet again illustrates the pluck and ingenuity of our...
Pub Pays Out For Goal Fest, Banana Mystery, and Kiwi Cricketer Makes History
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. Pub pays for footballs club's success Nottingham Forest are defying expectations this year in the English Premier...
Over-travelled Cat, Ohakune Booming, and Injured Snowboarder Makes History
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. Small town benefits from highway closure I've always been a little perplexed by the need to create bypasses on our...
Lucky Kitten, Unhappy Sunfish Revitalised, and Pompeii Reveals Hidden Gem
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. Abandoned kitten survives gruelling ordeal This is a good news story with a whole lot of bad news at the beginning of...
Maligned Kiwi Classic, Love Rekindled, and Dinosaur Highway Found
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. Kiwi classic gets rough treatment Obviously we all have different tastes when it comes to food and we don't all like...
Kiwi in Top Form, Miracle Survival and Marathon Effort
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. Kiwi striker is the real deal The English Premier League is arguably the most difficult football league in the world...
New Year Promise, Football on the Rise, and Spooky Predictions
New Year Promise 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. As 2024 draws to a close it's time to both look back and to look forward. New Year is that special...
Lost & Found: Scooters, Cash, and Treasure
Scooters, cash and treasure - 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. This will be the last installment of Good News NZ for a few weeks, as we redesign the...
World Records, New Reefs, and a Tradie’s Triumph
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. Haka world record claimed at huge event at Eden Park Last weekend over 6,500 people took part in a mass haka that...
Time Change, Panda Fakes, and Baby Aisle Kindness
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. Daylight savings starts this weekend This Sunday clocks go forward an hour and we begin a period of daylight savings...
Feline Escapes, Kiwi Houseguest, and Buffet Revival
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. Cat tries to escape 'diet centre' In Russia, a rather portly feline named Kroshik, or Crumbs, had had enough of the...
Tom cruises Olympics, Rare Coin Windfall, and Mystery Deepens
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. Tom Cruise 'performs' at Olympics closing ceremony for free Sure, he's one of the richest actors on the planet and may...
Takeway Heritage, Happy Ending, and Joyful Postcard
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. Boy who breaks ancient museum exhibit gets to see it restored We've all done it - accidentally smashing something of...
Feud Ends, Stars Collide, and Jersey Makes Millions
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. Historic baseball jersey sold for astronomical price News from the United States this week reveals that a baseball...
Top Toastie, Antarctic Artefact, and Gamer Goes Large
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. Top Kiwi toastie revealed Now, I'm not sure which nation lays claim to inventing the toastie but for the sake of this...
Breakdance Spat, OCR Fall, and Cop Delivers
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. Breakdancer creates stir that's still ongoing Well, the Olympics are done and dusted and there were many, many...
Super Dog, Olympic Triumphs, and Historic Car
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. Historic vehicle up for auction If you have a penchant for classic cars, history, and royalty (as well as some cash in...
Kiwi Icon, Olympic Spirit, and Milk Mystery
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. It's important to remember what the Olympics actually are As you are no doubt aware, the Olympics have kicked off in...
Local Celebrity, Rarest Whale, and Bear Necessities
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. Local personality passes away after years of sharing joy Last week I read about the passing of a Christchurch...
Local Celebrity, Rarest Whale, and Bear Necessities
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. Positivity is a real booster to well-being When I started putting together this In reviews blog over a year ago I...
All Blacks deliver, Parrot On The Run, and Living Legend
Looking back over the past weeks and to the weeks ahead – to rate the noteworthy, the cringeworthy, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the truly amazing. All Blacks grind out win against plucky English The All Blacks kicked off the international season and the tenure of...