Ok, so it may seem I’m Weka obsessed… and, well, maybe I am. They’re just so cheeky and trusting and it’s hilarious when they steal other people’s food. So far we’ve had four different Weka sightings – three in Golden Bay and one under a bridge down Hokitika way, three three years ago. Now this is great, and the blogs that are coming in for Weka Watch are delisciously entertaining. There’s only one thing: I need more! More! Where ever you live, what ever you’re doing with your days, keep your radars alert for signs of the struttin’, cheeky, feisty Weka. Let me know where you saw one and what it was doing. Why? Because it’s time for the Weka to have their time in the limelight. Good News Roundup Our lads the Choncords are touring the States and having a great time (NZ Herald). Back in the homeland, an Auckland based multidisciplinary design firm has been nominated for an award in what is known as ‘the Oscars of the Internet’ (Alt Group). Onto our ingenious youth, a kiwi teenager is hoping an electric blanket and heaps of watering will ensure his giant pumpkin cleans up at the Little River Country Bumpkin Giant Pumpkin Festival (The Press). For others, shopping may be a more pleasing way to pass the day. Proffessional shopper Alex Thompson is not alone in labelling Wellington as one of the best places in the world to shop (The Dominion Post).One of the best places to make money for your favourite charity right now is Twitter. Hugh Jackman is pledging $100,000 to the person who can convince him, via 140 charactors or less on Twitter, why he should give the money to their favourite non-profit charity (SMH). Also online, a You Tube tourism campaign where international travellers were encouraged to rave about New Zealand has been labelled by Britain’s Sunday Times newspaper as one of the “ten most ingenious travel offers” of the travel industry. To date it’s chalked up over 100,000 viewings (NZPA). Some Londonites may need some time away from their computers. A ten day ‘Go Slow’ festival is kicking off in London from April 24th. It’s designed to encourage stressed Londoners to take it easy and “create a little bit of space in their lives” (AAP). A twenty year old woman has been pulled alive and speaking from the rubble of a five story collapsed building forty eight hours after Italy’s most severe earthquake in three decades. “We were hitting our heads” in joy, said her Grandfather (AP). Meanwhile up in the mountains the same earthquake failed to bring down newly reinforced 15th century village. Architects are chuffed (NZ Herald). Also chuffed are an Otaitai couple who have won the Southland Ballance Farm Environment Awards due to careful managment of their coastal farm property. They say they are safeguarding it for future generations (Balance Farm Awards). Eight New Zealand eco-projects have been named as amongst the best in Australasia by a panel of organisations (NZ Herald). Future generations of Apes may actually have a bright future. A new population of orang-utans has been discovered in Indonesia, boosting numbers of the endangered animal by at least 2000 (NZ Herald). In South Africa, Soweto’s Orlando Power Station, which was once a significant source of polution, has now become a magnet for thrill seekers (AAP). Got another spare five minutes? Check out the Happyzine blog. |
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