Can Do Kiwis

Do you have a passion for history & digital technology?

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'As a tool it's just amazing': Breathing digital life into old news. ey news reports from the last months of World War II and Wairarapa's early post-war years are now just a click away. About 1700 editions of the Wairarapa Times-Age - covering between 1944 and 1950 - have been made available online after an intensive programme. The work was done through Wairarapa Archives' involvement in the National Library of New Zealand's collaborative newspaper digitisation programme, with the historic newspapers available through the National Library's 'Papers Past' website. Gareth Winter, former manager of the Wairarapa Archive and now an author and freelance writer, described the work as "remarkable". "Papers Past is a wonderful resource," he said. "To be able to bring the search capability up to 1950 is just remarkable - it fills a big gap. We can research now into the start of the WWII period. "As a tool it's just amazing.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/597937/as-a-tool-it-s-just-amazing-breathing-digital-life-into-old-news

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

'As a tool it's just amazing': Breathing digital life into old news About 1700 editions of the Wairarapa Times-Age - covering between 1944 and 1950 - have been made available online.

Do you have a passion for culture & weaving?

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Nelson weaving exhibition world's first dedicated entirely to mountain daisy Tikumu. In what's believed to be a first, a new exhibition underway in Nelson is dedicated entirely to the mountain daisy Tikumu, once a taonga for weavers the knowledge of weaving techniques had almost been lost. "The beauty in tikumu is that it's not like harakeke that grows in the lowlands, you know, you really have to travel, hike some pretty impressive ara, pathways, just to actually get it in your hands," Hamuera Aporo-Manihera told Nine to Noon. One would not expect a beautiful mountain daisy to produce such warm and soft fibre that even has thermal and water repellant properties, Aporo-Manihera said. To prepare tikumu for weaving, the kairaranga (weaver) peels the felty underside of the leaf from the green outer casing of the leaf on the top side. Tikumu are large-leaved mountain daisies. They belong to a large and complex group in the genus Celmisia that are widespread and often abundant in New Zealand mountain grasslands and herbfields.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/597383/nelson-weaving-exhibition-world-s-first-dedicated-entirely-to-mountain-daisy-tikumu

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Nelson weaving exhibition world's first dedicated entirely to mountain daisy Tikumu Once a taonga for weavers, the knowledge of weaving techniques for the large leafed flower had almost been lost.

Do you have a passion for heroes?

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The dog who woke Ōhau: Heroic Border Collie honoured in new book. The true tale of one of the Lake Ōhau fire's unlikely heroes - a beloved Border Collie credited with helping villagers flee to safety - has been captured by a group of Twizel school students. H**e the Hero sounded the alarm by repeatedly waking her owners Louis Campbell and Viv Smith-Campbell, who in turn went door-to-door alerting neighbours to encroaching flames in October 2020. Young authors and illustrators Audra Davis, Bailey Bacchus, Romy Menard and Dani Lloyd said H**e the Hero was a year in the making. Bailey said the story had involved a lot of background work including interviews with community members and emergency services, fire safety tips, illustrations and poetry.

"We did a lot of research. It was just real great interviewing a bunch of people and learning a bunch of new stuff about the fire," she said.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/597040/the-dog-who-woke-ohau-heroic-border-collie-honoured-in-new-book

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

The dog who woke Ōhau: Heroic Border Collie honoured in new book The true story of a beloved Border Collie credited with helping villagers flee to safety has been captured in a new book.

Do you have a passion for music?

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Invercargill teacher 'over the damn moon' to win 2026 Gold Guitar Award. Invercargill private music teacher Simon Thompson, who was last year’s MLT Gold Guitar Awards runner up, says the win is “a massive dream come true”. Invercargill private music teacher Simon Thompson says he's “stunned and in disbelief but over the damn moon” to have claimed the title at the annual three-day competition in Gore over the weekend. “What does it mean to me? It means the little boy who sits inside me who had a dream to follow his music star can now finally silence the voice inside of him about not being good enough,” he said in a news release. “He can finally go to sleep knowing he is good enough and deserves this. It is a massive dream come true. It means that anyone who may follow in my footsteps can do it with a head held high. Dreams can and do come true.”

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/invercargill-schoolteacher-over-the-damn-moon-to-win-2026-gold-guitar-award

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Invercargill teacher 'over the damn moon' to win 2026 Gold Guitar Award Invercargill private music teacher Simon Thompson, who was last year’s MLT Gold Guitar Awards runner up, says the win is “a massive dream come true”.

Do you have a passion for community?

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King's Birthday Honours 2026: Beatrice Faumuinā, Peter Boshier, Suzie Bates among those recognised. One-hundred and seventy-eight New Zealanders have been awarded for their services to Aotearoa in the King's Birthday Honours list including athletes, educators and former police officers. Of the recipients, 83 were women and 95 were men. The highest area of contribution was for services to the community, voluntary and local services followed by services to education, health and sports and recreation. There were six new knights and dames - Susan Hassall, who was the first woman to be appointed headmaster at a boy's state school, became a dame for her services to education along with Professor Elizabeth Rata, a wellknown sociologist at the University of Auckland, who was also awarded for her services to education. Anaesthetist Dr Paul Baker, former Chief Ombudsman Peter Boshier, literacy expert Professor Emeritus James Chapman and Racing Hall of Famer David Ellis were the new knights. In sport, discus Olympian Beatrice Faumuinā, cricketer Suzie Bates, former rugby player and coach Earle Kirton and former rugby player Vania Wolfgramm were among those being honoured. In education, former Rangitoto principal Patrick Gale was honoured along with one of New Zealand's longest serving principals Alan McIntyre. Some well-known Māori academics were also honoured including Dr Reuben Collier, Emeritus Professor Pare Keiha and Dr Te Ripowai Higgins.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/596885/king-s-birthday-honours-2026-beatrice-faumuina-peter-boshier-suzie-bates-among-those-recognised

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

King's Birthday Honours 2026: Beatrice Faumuinā, Peter Boshier, Suzie Bates among those recognised Six new knights and dames are amnog 178 recipients on the holiday list for honours.

Do you have a passion for nz music?

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Waiata 100: how you can vote for Aotearoa's favourite song. Teeks or Tami Neilson? Shihad or Sharon O'Neill? Marlon Williams... or Mark Williams? Here's how to vote for your favourite Kiwi tune. We're inviting audiences to join Waiata 100: our search for Aotearoa’s favourite New Zealand song. Music is at the heart of who we are and we want to know what songs move you (or make you move).

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/waiata-100-what-is-aotearoa-s-favourite-song

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Waiata 100: how you can vote for Aotearoa's favourite song Teeks or Tami Neilson? Shihad or Sharon O'Neill? Marlon Williams... or Mark Williams? Here's how to vote for your favourite Kiwi tune.

Do you have a passion for culture & the stars?

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Ngāti Rangi unveils star compass to teach next generation of astronomers. A traditional Māori star compass, built to teach the next generation how to read the skies and live by the stars, has been unveiled at a Ngāti Rangi kura in Ohakune. The whana tongitongi Te Tatau o Rongonui, a traditional star compass or kāpehu whetū used across Polynesia as a forecasting and navigation tool, was opened at dawn on Thursday at Te Kura Kaupapa Māori o Ngāti Rangi. The project was led by Ngāti Rangi celestial researchers Riwaru Tihema and Rauroha Brown, and designed according to traditional Ngāti Rangi narratives and astronomical knowledge. "To be honest, I'm absolutely overwhelmed," Brown said, after the dawn ceremony. "We built this kāpehu whetū, this whana tongitongi, at the kura, so we could teach the next generation of astronomers. It creates another inside-outside classroom environment and why not be out in the elements, in the taiao?" The whana tongitongi is a replica of ancient open-air star compasses still found in Tahiti and Hawai'i. "The majority of their compasses are primarily rock and stone, built in the shape of a square or diamond. You can easily put the cardinal points on each corner."

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/596832/ngati-rangi-unveils-star-compass-to-teach-next-generation-of-astronomers

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Ngāti Rangi unveils star compass to teach next generation of astronomers The whana tongitongi Te Tatau o Rongonui, built to teach the next generation how to read the skies, opened at dawn on Thursday.

Do you have a passion for native birds?

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Takahē return to part of Golden Bay after predator-proof fence completed. Takahē have been returned to the northern end of the South Island's Golden Bay after the completion of a predator-proof fence. The Department of Conservation has released eight of the taonga species on the Farewell Spit, where they have been absent for 100 years. The new $400,000 fence stretches four kilometres across the Tasman Sea to Golden Bay along the Old Man ridgeline. It shelters 2000 hectares - including 50km of coastline - from rats, stoats and cats. It's been made possible by the collaboration of Manawhenua ki Mohua, the DOC, Pest Free Onetahua and HealthPost Nature Trust. Lucy Butler, a trustee of Health Post Nature Trust, said she was "really happy and proud to be at this point". She noted the area within the fence was a Ramsar site - a wetland of international significance - home to korora, gannets and many other sea and shore birds. She hoped more threatened native species, such as the kiwi, could be re-introduced.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/596815/takahe-return-to-part-of-golden-bay-after-predator-proof-fence-completed

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Takahē return to part of Golden Bay after predator-proof fence completed A new $400,000 predator-proof fence that stretches four kilometres has brought on their return.

Do you have a passion for nz music?

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Marlon Williams makes history at Aotearoa Music Awards before hiatus. Te Whare Tīwekaweka is the first fully te reo Māori album to win Album of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards. Singer Marlon Williams (Kāi Tahu, Ngāi Tai) has claimed three of the grand awards on New Zealand music’s biggest night at The Civic in Tāmaki Makaurau, adding to his trove of accolades over the past year as he prepares to go on hiatus. The Lyttelton folk musician, who is currently performing his last shows before taking a break, scooped up Single of the Year for ‘Aua Atu Rā’, Best Solo Artist and Album of the Year for his critically-acclaimed album Te Whare Tīwekaweka at the Aotearoa Music Awards (AMA). Mark Perkins also scored the Best Engineer title for his work on the album. He also scored a special Charts Number One award alongside Lorde and Devilskin. On stage, he was congratulated with a performance by Te Kapa Haka o Te Kura Kaupapa o Hoani Waititi. He said New Zealand's proud history of music stretched back generations. "This is not Māori music having its day, this is just a day in Māori music."

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/marlon-williams-makes-history-at-aotearoa-music-awards-before-hiatus

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Marlon Williams makes history at Aotearoa Music Awards before hiatus Te Whare Tīwekaweka is the first fully te reo Māori album to win Album of the Year at the Aotearoa Music Awards.

Do you have a passion for nz fashion & music?

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Aotearoa Music Awards 2026: What they wore on the red carpet. New Zealand musicians, artists and creatives have pulled out all the stops with their looks at the Aotearoa Music Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau.

Read more here on the RNZ website.
https://www.rnz.co.nz/life/music/aotearoa-music-awards-what-they-wore-on-the-red-carpet

Can Do Kiwis shares only positive news to balance out all the negativity you see in the media. We bring real stories that show the good happening every day, helping you see the world and yourself in a more positive light. It’s about flipping the script with facts that build a strong, hopeful mindset.

Create a positive mindset with Can Do Kiwis.
https://www.candokiwis.org.nz/create-a-positive-mindset

Aotearoa Music Awards 2026: What they wore on the red carpet New Zealand musicians, artists and creatives have pulled out all the stops with their looks at the Aotearoa Music Awards in Tāmaki Makaurau.