Good Things Are Happening
Four Bright Spots of Progress in Aotearoa
At a time when headlines often lean toward crisis and controversy, it's worth pausing to celebrate the good news. This past week has brought a flurry of encouraging developments across Aotearoa, from future-focused infrastructure planning and creative brilliance on the world stage, to healthcare innovations and a whisky industry quietly making global waves. These stories, though diverse, share something important - they reflect what happens when Kiwis think long-term, act boldly and care deeply about our future.
Here are four standout stories worth celebrating.
1. A 30-Year Infrastructure Roadmap for a Resilient Future
What happened?
New Zealand has just released a draft of its first-ever 30-year national infrastructure strategy. Developed with input from economists, engineers, urban planners, safety experts and iwi, the plan outlines a roadmap to build hospitals, expand renewable power generation and improve the country’s ability to withstand natural disasters.
It aims to lift capital investment from $20 billion to over $30 billion annually by the 2050s, with a key focus on intergenerational resilience, meaning future governments can’t afford to ignore it simply because it’s politically inconvenient.
Who deserves congratulations?
Hats off to the National Infrastructure Commission and the countless policy advisors, engineers, Māori leaders and local councils who collaborated on this plan. Long-term thinking is never easy in a short-term political climate, and their work reflects genuine leadership.
Why it matters for New Zealand
This plan provides the kind of certainty that businesses, families, and communities crave. It’s about roads, hospitals, water and power – yes - but also about investing in a nation better equipped to care, adapt and grow. It means fewer patch jobs and more lasting solutions.
2. New Zealand’s Whisky Makers Take on the World
What happened?
New Zealand’s whisky industry, once a niche experiment, is now booming internationally. With 16 distilleries operating across the country, from the alpine valleys of Cardrona to the volcanic hills of Pōkeno - New Zealand whisky is being celebrated for its character, creativity and quality.
Distillers are using unique local ingredients like manuka smoke, alpine spring water and native woods, putting a distinctly Kiwi spin on an age-old craft. The global whisky community is starting to take serious notice.
Who deserves congratulations?
A standing ovation for the craft distillers and entrepreneurs who took a risk, chased excellence and collaborated rather than competed. Distilleries like Cardrona, Scapegrace, Pōkeno and Thomson Whisky are lifting the profile of the whole industry.
Why it matters for New Zealand
This isn’t just about good whisky, it’s about regional jobs, tourism and high-value export potential. It’s also a celebration of our land, our water and our willingness to do things differently. A thriving whisky scene adds flavour, quite literally, to New Zealand’s global brand.
3. “The Best Place in the World to Have Herpes” Wins at Cannes
What happened?
A bold and cheeky public health campaign from Aotearoa has just taken home the Grand Prix for Good at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity. The ad - proudly titled “The Best Place in the World to Have Herpes”, was created by Auckland agency Motion Sickness for the New Zealand Herpes Foundation.
The campaign was honest, humorous and refreshingly human. Its message? That living with a common STI shouldn’t come with shame or stigma, especially in a country where medical support and information are world class.
Who deserves congratulations?
Big applause for Motion Sickness and the Herpes Foundation for their courage, creativity and compassion. Tackling taboo topics with humour and integrity is no easy feat, and their international win shows just how powerful the right message can be.
Why it matters for New Zealand
By reducing stigma and encouraging honest conversations, this campaign helps people seek help, improve relationships, and live with more confidence. It’s a reminder that public health works best when paired with empathy and imagination and that New Zealand is leading by example.
4. Digital Health Expansion Brings Care Closer to Home
What happened?
New Zealand has rolled out a series of impressive upgrades to its digital health system this past week. Among them -
A 24/7 online health service launched to support patients anytime, anywhere.
Rural GP practices are embracing telehealth at scale, thanks to the Ka Ora initiative.
Hospitals are improving efficiency and safety with tools like Medtasker, which streamlines urgent communications.
These changes aren’t theoretical. They’re up and running and making a difference.
Who deserves congratulations?
Praise is due to Te Whatu Ora, digital health professionals, rural GPs and the tech teams building practical tools with real-world impact. It’s clear that innovation in healthcare doesn’t just happen in labs. It’s happening in local clinics and homes too.
Why it matters for New Zealand
For rural whānau, elderly patients and those juggling life’s challenges, 24/7 access to health advice can be life-changing. It means fewer trips to the ED, faster diagnoses and better continuity of care. And it shows that Aotearoa is embracing smart, compassionate technology in service of wellbeing.
A Moment to Reflect
In a world often defined by division, delay, and difficulty, these four stories offer something different. They show New Zealanders leaning in to complexity, to creativity, to care. From the engineers planning for 2050, to the distillers crafting whisky with soul, to the ad creatives breaking down stigma, to the doctors bringing healthcare into homes - the common thread is hope, courage and forward momentum.
Let’s celebrate these wins not just as isolated moments, but as evidence of who we are when we lead with purpose. The future is never certain, but with thinking like this, it’s looking a lot more promising.