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 through recent tough times in the industry has morphed into a multi-company effort to achieve something remarkable.

“Ivan Presquito of Elegant Kiwi Homes in Christchurch said the economic downturn had him concerned for the building industry as well as his own business. Coming out the other side after three difficult years was worth recognising, he said.

“’We feel like, “hey, we managed to survive!” So, we feel like it’s about time for us to give back to the community,’ Presquito said. His plan was to build and sell a house before donating the profits to charity. He just didn’t know which charity would be the beneficiary. ‘We decided on St John because everybody can relate with St John,’ he said.

“The plan is for the four-bedroom, two-bathroom, 156sq m home to be auctioned once finished. ‘We’re expecting the house to be completed around June, July,’ Presquito said. The property sits on 451sq m in the Benrogan subdivision in Halswell and features a cathedral ceiling in the lounge to ‘make it stand out.'” (Source: “On The Up: Multi-company effort in Christchurch to build and auction new home for Hato Hone St John,” by Mile Thorpe, May 2, www.nzherald.co.nz).

5 sars – without a doubt the past few years have been tough for many tradies and contractors. This story reflects the generosity, community spirit, and sheer hard work of Kiwi tradies and it’s fantastic!

Champion cheese crowned

I don’t think I’m going out on a limb here by saying that Kiwis love cheese. So I’ll say it’s a fact. More than that we make fantastic cheeses that compete with the best in the world. From blues to bries, Kiwi cheesemakers are at the very top of their field.

This week the annual Champions of Cheese Awards were held with a top prize awarded, as well as prizes for various cheese categories.

The supreme winner was Whitestone Cheese Co’s sheep milk cheddar.

“Master judge Jason Tarrant led a jury of 30 judges who tasted 240 locally produced cheeses in early March to decide this year’s winners. Eighteen of the 24 trophies were awarded to independent producers, including Zany Zeus, Belle Chevre Creamery, and Over the Moon Dairy.” (Source: “The best cheese in New Zealand has been crowned,” May 1, www.rnz.co.nz).

5 stars – we should be proud of our Kiwi cheesemakers and it’s fantastic to acknowledge them – great stuff!

Indian teenager makes a huge noise in the IPL

A lot of kids dream of taking wickets or making huge runs in big games and a 14 year old playing in the IPL in India has done that on a massive stage.

Vaibhav Suryavanshi hit a century in 35 balls for his team, the Rajasthan Royals against then Gujarat Titans in Jaipur.

“‘I am feeling very good. Scoring my first hundred in the IPL, and that too in just my third innings, feels special,’ Suryavanshi said after the match, according to IPL.com. ‘All the practice that I have put in over the last four to five months has finally paid off,’ he said.

“Royals’ captain Riyan Parag called the performance ‘incredible’. ‘We have spent two months with him and coming out here in front of all these people and against the quality bowling attack that GT (Gujarat Titans) had, it’s just something you can’t express in words.’ (Source: “Vaibhav Suryavanshi, 14, wows crowd with record-smashing IPL performance,” by David Close, April 28, www.edition.cnn.com).

5 stars – at 14 my greatest cricketing feats were against my brothers in our backyard, so making a ton in the IPL at that age is truly amazing!