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.

Brits propose names for storms

For the past ten years, people in the United Kingdom have been able to suggest names for storms to the UK Met Office and a recent Freedom of Information request reveals that while only 20 have been accepted, there has been a number of real beauts.

“‘Some of the names are really clever and funny and we enjoy seeing them suggested,’ said the forecaster. ‘However, we couldn’t ever use comedy names for our storms, because at the heart of it, naming storms has an important safety purpose.’

“More than 50,000 suggestions were submitted for the 2025/26 season. Those chosen are: Amy, Bram, Chandra, Dave, Eddie, Fionnuala, Gerard, Hannah, Isla, Janna, Kasia, Lilith, Marty, Nico, Oscar, Patrick, Ruby, Stevie, Tadhg, Violet and Wubbo.”

The ones that weren’t selected are fantastic: “Stormy McStormFace, Keir Stormer, David Blowy, Storm Prince Andrew, Bruce Spring Storm, Fifty Shades of Rain, and Stormzy.” (Source: “Elon Gust and Dame Judi Drench among storm names sent to Met Office,” March 6, www.news.sky.com).

5 stars – a little imagination and a big slice of humour always goes a long way – total upside!

Amazing gift to bolster native wildlife

Two very private Kiwi philanthropists, Neal and Annette Plowman have made an astonishing donation to New Zealand environmental projects. The pair have gifted $150 million over the next ten years through their Next Foundation.

“Originally, they invested $100m in the foundation but are now taking that funding even further. The man in charge of spending that $150m is Next chief executive Andrew Grant, who says after a long career in consultancy he felt a strong pull to give back to the people of New Zealand through conservation efforts.

“The Plowmans funded a 99-year lease of Rotorua Island in Auckland’s Hauraki Gulf and then gifted it to the people of Auckland to be used as a public conservation park. They embarked on a major project to remove predators and replant native forest across the island to restore it as a sanctuary for native species, and set the groundwork for the vision behind Next.

“The $150m grant from the couple will allow Next to carry out extensive activity with projects that work alongside iwi and the Department of Conservation. ‘We’re heavily looking into several in the North Island, most likely the Waipoua Forest is going to be one, where Tāne Mahuta New Zealand’s most iconic tree is,’ Grant said. (Source: “Kiwi couple gift $150m to restore native wildlife in New Zealand,” by Eva de Jong, March 7, www.nzherald.co.nz).

5 stars – what an incredibly generous act of philanthropy!

Finders keepers, sort of

A few weeks ago, we presented the story about a Christchurch couple who found $230,000 in their roof and went to the High Court to claim the money after they had handed it into the police and were told they weren’t entitled to it as it was likely the proceeds of crime. After the hearing it was settled that while they would not receive all of it, they court would be awarded a part of it.

“Evidence filed by police included an examination of the cash and expert opinion concluding it was more likely than not derived from illicit activity. The couple did not file evidence contradicting that material. During the hearing, there was ‘no real challenge’ to the conclusion the cash was tainted, with the dispute instead focusing on what orders should follow.

“After the hearing, the parties reached a settlement and asked the court to approve it. Justice Osborne approved the agreement, which forfeited the full amount to the Crown but required the Crown to pay the couple $40,000. The judge said the case had an “unusual feature” because the couple were ‘wholly innocent citizens’ who discovered the money and handed it to police.” (Source: “Christchurch couple who found $232k in ceiling to receive $40k after High Court settlement,” March 4, www.stuff.co.nz).

5 stars. Whilst the couple will doubtless be disappointed – apportioning a reasonable sum will certainly dull the pain!