Weekly Whirl #18

This week’s roundup of feel-good New Zealand news brings a mix of sport, nature, culture and community spirit.

Stories of the AIMS Games, award-winning astrophotographers, a two-year-old bet, a lucky escape in the Southern Alps and even rumours of a New Zealand-inspired Sims 4 world remind us how much there is to smile about.

I hope they brighten your day too.

🏏 Sport

Former New Zealand captain Taylor to play for Samoa in shock comeback

5 September 2025

Former New Zealand cricket captain Ross Taylor, now 41, is making an unexpected comeback, this time with Samoa, his maternal homeland. He’ll join their national side for the Asia-East Asia-Pacific T20 World Cup qualifier. A great story of roots, pride and love for the game.

Full story: Reuters

Video shows backcountry skiers being swept away in avalanche before later being found safe

7 September 2025

A close call in the Southern Alps had a happy ending this week.

Four backcountry skiers were swept up in an avalanche near Treble Cone, Wānaka, with three briefly carried downhill before rescuers confirmed everyone was safe.

Despite the seriousness of the event, no injuries were reported, but it was a reminder of nature’s power.

Watch the video of the dramatic slide on Stuff.

🌱 Joyful Achievements and Community

AIMS Games awarded best non-profit or cummunity event

13 September 2025

The Zespri AIMS Games in Tauranga, a massive local youth sports event, has won the Best Non-Profit or Community Event award at the New Zealand Event Awards.

Every year, thousands of students participate across dozens of sports at the AIMS Games, one of the biggest grassroots events in New Zealand.

Full story: Wikipedia and The New Zealand Herald

He’s only 20, but this Kiwi just won one of the biggest photography awards for the second year in a row

13 September 2025

Christchurch’s Tom Rae, just 20 years old, has won one of the world’s most prestigious photography awards for the second year running.

His image, The Ridge, taken in Aoraki, Mount Cook National Park, claimed the Skyscapes category in the Royal Observatory Greenwich’s Astronomy Photographer of the Year competition.

The painstaking panorama stitched together 62 shots, captured after hours of climbing to a sharp ridgeline. Judges praised its balance and striking composition, calling it both inspiring and technically impressive.

Rae, who first began night photography in 2019, says this competition was his dream goal and feels honoured to win twice.

Now working full-time as an astrophotographer, he runs workshops and hopes to grow astro-tourism in New Zealand by inspiring others to marvel at the country’s night skies.

Another Kiwi, Dunedin’s Kavan Chay, also triumphed, winning the Aurorae category.

Full story: Stuff.

Check out Tom Rae’s work on Instagram and Kavan Chay’s work on his website.

🎨 Culture and Quirky Moments

$10k, dinner for 30 and a tattoo: The marathon bet two mates can’t escape

13 September 2025

Two Dunedin mates are finally settling a 20-year-old drunken bet: who’s the slower runner.

Jolyon Swinburn and Blake will face off in the Dunedin Marathon, with the loser paying $10,000, shouting dinner for 30, running another marathon and getting a Dunedin-themed tattoo.

Friends from around the world are flying in, turning the showdown into a reunion. What started as late-night bravado has become a hilarious test of endurance, pride and friendship.

Read more on Stuff.

Is the new Sims 4 world set in New Zealand?

11 September 2025

While not huge headlines, this fun piece from RNZ caught attention: ‘Is the new Sims 4 world set in New Zealand?‘

The new Sims 4 pack ‘Adventure Awaits: Gibbi Island’ has fans wondering if it’s inspired by New Zealand. The trailer shows cabbage trees, nikau palms, fairy bread, hot pools and even a geyser. And there’s a narrator who sounds a lot like Kiwi comedian Rhys Darby.

The developers haven’t confirmed anything yet. The pack launches on 2 October.

Here’s the trailer:

🌿Nature and Conservation

How New Zealand wildlife sanctuaries are working to protect the country’s unique birds

4 September 2025

At the Orokonui Ecosanctuary near Dunedin, the rare takahē numbers are growing. It’s a heartwarming sight: caretakers monitoring nests, public involvement and ongoing hope for habitats that let these birds thrive.

Full story: Hawaii Public Radio

New Zealand’s bold plan to save endangered animals: Kill millions of invasive animals

9 September 2025

New Zealand is pushing ahead with the ambitious Predator Free 2050 goal, aiming to eliminate invasive species like stoats, possums and rats that harm native wildlife. Locally led efforts, especially by Māori iwi like Ngāti Awa, are making strides with trapping and other projects in the Whakatāne region. Full story: KNKX.

Hover practice for the royal albatross chick in New Zealand

4 September 2025

Let’s finish this week’s whirl with a new DOC video of a Northern Royal Albatross chick’s hover practice session.

‘Watch the Northern Royal Albatross chick spread her wings and let the strong winds lift her high up for a bout of hovering. Practice sessions like these help prepare this soon-to-be-fledgling for her upcoming flight out to sea’ (Cornell Lab Bird Cams, 2025).