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 organised by fans to celebrate all things Lorde recently.

“The event, held at Mary’s Underground, was described as a celebration of ‘our true Lorde and saviour’– but the New Zealand pop star snuck on to the dancefloor incognito and began shaking hands with fans before the crowd erupted in recognition, sending a wave of cheers and phone flashlights through the room. Attender Andrew Fraser described the night as a ‘total thrill’.

“’Lorde made her way through the swarm of people, going between dancing and taking a moment to greet, hug and converse with multiple fans, allowing each to have their moment and to explain what her music means to them,’ he said.

“It was a relative surprise to Mary’s Underground too: a spokesperson for the venue said there had been whispers internally after Lorde’s security team visited the space, but nothing was confirmed. ‘We tried to shuffle her to the green room but she wasn’t having it. Straight into the crowd, singing along, soaking it up,’ Mary’s said in a statement. ‘[She] almost refused to leave when her management were trying to usher her out.'” (Source: “Lorde surprises fans by crashing Lorde club night in Sydney: ‘She almost refused to leave’, by Michael Sun, May 26, www.guardian.co.uk).

5 stars – seems that all had a fantastic time and the night was made even more special by the highly unexpected attendance of the focus of the event itself. Total upside!

Northland man teaches traditional skills to help local youth

Seeing a need to help challenged youth, Northlander Malcolm Wano is passing on traditional skills to give them a sense of tradition, purpose, and hope. Malcolm is also a keen and accomplished gardener, whose kūmara crop may very well have produced some of the biggest kūmara of the season.

“The Hūkerenui man is also a dedicated community worker who transforms lives through traditional skills, voluntary programmes and a deep commitment to restoring cultural roots. Through the Kiahaanga Whakarereke Trust in Moerewa, he and other dedicated volunteers offer programmes and wānanga for many life issues and needs, but especially focus on helping empower rangatahi (young people).

“By teaching gardening, hunting, fishing, bushcraft, woodworking and other life skills, the trust helps young people to become contributors to their communities rather than bystanders, Wano said. With a forestry background and a passion for passing on knowledge, Wano proves how voluntary, koha-based initiatives can create meaningful social change, one seedling and skill at a time. He has been volunteering intensively for about the last three years in response to the increased need he sees.” (Source: “On The Up: Northlander Malcolm Wano on empowering youth with traditional skills,” by Sarah Curtis, May 24, www.nzherald.co.nz).

Malcolm and the trust’s work is having a positive impact on the youth involved in the scheme and illustrates the influence of traditional methods to give hope and direction.

5 stars – the generous work of volunteers all over New Zealand is a massive beacon of hope for those in need. Great stuff!

Moose mystery endures

For many decades sightings of moose in Fiordland have furthered the mystery surrounding the existence of the animals that were introduced there over 150 years ago. While the last confirmed sighting was in 1951, trampers have occasionally reported spotting moose ever since. So – are they still there, or not?

“That question came one step closer to being answered in March, when within two weeks of one another two hiking groups from the US and Canada reported seeing moose while tramping along Fiordland’s Kepler Track, sparking a new flurry of national interest.

“Ken Tustin, a biologist, former helicopter pilot and hunter who is more widely known as New Zealand’s ‘moose man’ has been tracking moose for more than 40 years – half his lifetime. Tustin concedes he may never find a moose but seeing one is almost besides the point.

‘”I love that moose have taken on an almost spiritual element in Fiordland,” he says. ‘When I think of Fiordland … I think rain on the smooth water, diminishing ridges, hanging cloud, ferns bobbing under the rain. Its mood, its mystery, and my goodness, a moose fits in there beautifully.'” (Source: “Myth or mystery: are moose roaming the isolated wilds of New Zealand?” by Eva Corlett, May 23, www.guardian.co.uk).

5 stars – described as New Zealand’s Loch Ness monster saga, the Fiordland moose mystery will most certainly endure for many decades to come!