In a week of rare calm, sunny days and frosty mornings across much of the country, there was also a chill on cheerful stories.
Still, amidst the flood of headlines about global conflict and political scandals, I managed to find five heart-warming stories to share with you and hopefully brighten your day.
In the week that was, the spotlight was on pesky magpies, Te Papa, an injured kiwi and a chess programme to help autistics teens.
But I start this Weekly Whirl with the success story of a New Zealand cheerleader.
Faith Ward Becomes First New Zealander to Join Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders
18 July 2025
Wellington-born dancer Faith Ward has made history as the first New Zealander to join the iconic Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders.
The 22-year-old professional dancer, nicknamed ‘Flexi Faith’ for her incredible flexibility, beat thousands of hopefuls and was selected as one of six rookies for the upcoming NFL season.
Her journey began with video auditions and choreography challenges before flying to Texas for in-person trials.
Ward shared emotional footage of the moment she revealed her new uniform to friends and family, calling it her ‘dream job’.
The squad gained global attention thanks to the Netflix series America’s Sweethearts, which highlighted both the gruelling demands and the prestige of earning a spot.
While the job comes with intense pressure and modest pay, Ward is thrilled to be the first New Zealand to make one of the world’s most famous cheer teams.
Read the full story at First-ever New Zealander makes the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders.
Think Magpies Are A Pesky Aussie Import? Think Again
26 June 2025
Magpies can be quite annoying, particularly during breeding season.
They are known to dive-bomb cyclists and pedestrians and remind us of our noisy neighbours across the Tasman. However, new research suggests these birds have much older roots in New Zealand than anyone realised.
Fossil discoveries in Central Otago have revealed an ancient relative of the Australian magpie, a species called the St Bathans currawong.
We are quick to point the finger at our neighbours across the Tasman for any unwanted pests, but this magpie lived in New Zealand 16 to 19 million years ago. It belonged to the same bird family and thrived in a lush, subtropical landscape full of fruit-bearing trees.
This surprising find reshapes the way we think about what makes a species ‘native’. While today’s magpies were introduced from Australia in the 1860s, their ancestors were already here long before humans set foot in New Zealand.
It’s a timely reminder that ecosystems are always changing and that our birdlife, just like our landscape, has never stood still.
Read more about the magpie on The Conversation website: Magpies may not be a pesky Australian import – new research finds their ancestors thrived in NZ a long time ago.
Other interesting articles
Canterbury Museum: Magpie ancestors lived in Aotearoa New Zealand 19 million years ago
Sci News: 19-Million-Year-Old Currawong Fossil Found in New Zealand
Otago Daily Times: Magpie roots found in St Bathans
Wounded Kiwi Gets Late-Night ‘Uber’ Ride to the Vet
25 July 2025
From magpies to kiwis 😊
A lucky great spotted kiwi is recovering after a dramatic late-night rescue in Arthur’s Pass.
A man named Pete noticed the injured bird by the roadside and took it to a nearby outdoor education centre, where staff quickly called in a registered kiwi handler.
Local schoolchildren quietly observed the rare bird before she was whisked away to the vet by volunteer ‘Uber kiwi transporter’ Graeme.
The kiwi received fluids, pain relief and stitches in her foot and is doing well.
If she’s not microchipped, the students may get to name her!
This story was published on the 1News website: Injured kiwi catches ‘Uber’ to the vet after roadside rescue.
Te Papa Named One of the World’s Top Attractions
24 July 2025
If or when you decide to come to our neck of the woods, be sure to put Te Papa on your itinerary. And here’s why.
TripAdvisor’s 2025 Travellers’ Choice Awards has ranked Wellington’s Te Papa among the top 1% of attractions worldwide.
Dubbed the best attraction in New Zealand and fifth in the South Pacific, the museum earned glowing reviews from over 14,000 visitors, with more than 11,000 of them five stars.
Highlights for visitors include the Gallipoli exhibition, Māori taonga and natural history displays.
With over one million visitors in the past year, Te Papa continues to impress and is now officially a global must-see.
Read more at ‘Best of the best’: Te Papa named among top 1% of global attractions.
Chess Opens Doors for Autistic Students in Auckland
26 July 2025
At Parkside School in Auckland, autistic teens are learning vital communication and social skills by playing chess.
The programme is led by former New Zealand women’s chess champion and speech therapist Evguenia Charomova. According to Charomova, the game teaches turn-taking, respect and listening.
Through the international Infinite Chess programme, students learn to thinking strategically while building friendships and confidence in a safe, structured environment.
One shy student who once struggled to speak now teaches others, showing how powerful the game can be as a tool for connection and growth.
Full story: Autistic kids are learning chess – and communication skills – with a former teenage champion.