A little good news for once

The useful part

The positivity of the coming of spring comes with a downside: no one can agree on when it actually arrives. Some split the year evenly into four seasons, with spring being September–November regardless of any other external factors. Others go by the spring equinox, which this year will be 12.05pm, September 23 to be exact (with summer arriving at 8.50am, December 22).

How it works

• Others still rely on vibes – it's sunnier, warmer and the days are getting noticeably longer, thus: spring.
• All of which is to say that, depending on which one you go on, it may or may not be spring.
• With that in mind, I present to you the first of an irregular round up of nice, good news stories that have crossed my path while I've been focussed on policy battles, hospital wait times, and sewage plant...
• A kiwi returns First, a genuine "wonderful moment" – as the Department of Conservation put it – near Ohakune.
• A young kiwi (the bird not a New Zealander), estimated to be about seven to nine months old, was spotted running across the track at Lakes Reserve.

What to take from it

It is the first kiwi heard of at Rangatauanui, Te Ao News reported last month. The sighting is being celebrated by DOC, Save the Kiwi and local iwi Ngāti Rangi, which has been leading restoration efforts in the area since 1995.

Details worth keeping

To receive The Bulletin in full each weekday, sign up here. Either way, the vibes are definitely heading in that direction. The iwi has been supported with the release of 40 kiwi over a 14-month...