The world might feel a bit heavy at times, but here in New Zealand, life is ticking along nicely.
This week, two young Kiwis made their mark on the world stage, and we had a healthy debate about bikes, footpaths and cars.
The prospect of digital driver’s licences topped off a week that had its fair share of good news.
Here are the four feel-good stories from this week.
Teen Kiwi Author Makes Time’s ‘Girls of the Year’ List
19 August 2025
Seventeen-year-old Rutendo Shadaya from Tokoroa has been named one of Time magazine’s Girls of the Year, and she still can’t quite believe it!
Born in Hamilton to Zimbabwean parents, Rutendo has already written three children’s fantasy novels featuring strong female leads, adventure and friendship.
She hopes her stories encourage young girls, reminding them not to let age or background hold them back.
Take that risk, you won’t regret it.
A Kiwi teen celebrated on the world stage! What a fantastic achievement!
Read more at Kiwi teen author named one of Time magazine’s girls of the year and Book written for best friend launches teenage author Rutendo Shadaya’s series.
Zoe Pedersen Snatches Gold in Nail-Biting Butterfly Final
23 August 2025
It’s fair to say that swimming does not top New Zealand’s popularity chart the way rugby and cricket do. But every now and then, a Kiwi swimmer makes headlines with a standout performance.
That’s exactly what happened this week. New Zealand’s Zoe Pedersen claimed junior world champion status in the women’s 50 m butterfly, and she did it in spectacular style.
The 18-year-old surged from behind in the final stroke, touching the wall just 0.03 seconds ahead of Japan’s Mizuki Hirai. Her winning time of 25.63 seconds also broke her own New Zealand age-group record.
Zoe says the key was staying calm and trusting her race plan, and it clearly paid off.
A golden moment for Kiwi swimming!
More details at Zoe Pedersen stuns in 50m butterfly final with last gasp last stroke win to claim junior world title gold.
Christchurch’s Cycleway Clash: Road Space vs Shared Space
20 August 2025
I was raised in Europe, so for me, cycleways are a no-brainer. But not so in New Zealand. Kiwis are truly obsessed with cars, and they are very slow to invest in providing cyclists and pedestrians a safe space on the road.
So this article caught my eye.
The Park Terrace cycleway in Christchurch was installed in 2023 to give cyclists and e-scooter riders their own safe lane beside the Avon River, but it now faces the axe.
Mayor Phil Mauger has put forward his own $300,000 plan to replace it with a shared path for both cyclists and pedestrians (really?).
Cyclists argue the change would be a ‘recipe for disaster’, forcing them back onto footpaths where pedestrians already feel unsafe.
Advocates say keeping walkers, cyclists and e-scooters separate is the best way to prevent accidents, especially for older people or those with limited vision.
But some locals say the two-way cycleway takes up too much road space, worsens congestion and confuses drivers. They’d prefer to see a shared path that frees up more room for cars and parking (of course 🙄).
It’s a classic clash of priorities: safety and accessibility versus traffic flow and car convenience.
Which camp are you in?
Should streets have separate lanes for pedestrians, cyclists and cars?
Or should cyclists and pedestrians share one path?
Full story: Pedestrians vs cyclists: New cycleway plan could spark ‘footpath fight’
Digital Licences Coming to Kiwi Phones
23 August 2025
I’m not sure what the rules are in your country, but here, it is still necessary to have a physical copy of your driver’s licence on you each time you get behind the wheel. Good to know, should you ever visit our shores.
The renewal of the annual warrant of fitness (WoF) for your car is also still an old-fashioned paper-based process.
Well, paper and plastic might soon be taking a back seat in New Zealand as the government is gearing up to introduce digital driver’s licences and WoFs.
A new bill in Parliament paves the way for motorists to carry licences on their phones instead of their wallets, with physical cards still available for those who prefer them.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon calls it a common-sense move, while Transport Minister Chris Bishop says Kiwis have been asking for it. Similar systems already exist in Denmark, Norway and several US states.
The bill also aims to modernise outdated paperwork: WoF stickers, fuel inspection certificates and other paper notices could all move online, potentially saving millions in printing and postage.
Of course, questions remain, like how police checks will work given restrictions on phone use while driving, and how privacy will be protected.
If all goes smoothly, digital licences could be in place by the middle of next year.
A small but significant step into the future! What I’m concerned, it can’t come soon enough.
Read more at Driver’s licences and WoFs on phones get green light.