Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries:
New Zealand has just set a record with our medal haul at an Olympics with 20 medals from Paris 2024 – 10 of those gold. That puts us in fourth place on the Medals Per Capita tally. We are beaten by the small island nations of Grenada, Dominica and Saint Lucia.
Probably even better than the medals is the way our athletes represented us on the world stage. In defeat, and in victory, they shone. Take Billy Stairmand and Saffi Vette, our two surf Olympians – both outstanding characters and ambassadors for the sport and nation. What they achieved for New Zealand and the sport will have positive ripple effects for many years to come.
And then there are the surprise elements like the ultra laidback Hamish Kerr winning gold in the high jump and the salt of the earth Finn Butcher winning gold in kayak cross. And it just continued from there with Dame Lisa Carrington proving yet again that she is a complete masterclass of an athlete along with emerging talents like her understudy Alicia Hoskin, Ellesse Andrews in track cycling and Maddi Wesche in shotput.
There are so many benefits for all of New Zealand – many of them intangible, but that sense of pride in watching our athletes achieve on the world stage, and with such endearing charisma, can lift the mood of a nation. And now more than ever that's exactly what we need.
See you at the beach ... Derek
PS Speaking of legends who inspire, the team of rangers working on and around Mt Karioi – that beautiful maunga that towers over Raglan's fabled points, are raising money to help them build efficiency in their mahi and trapping programme. They have 100s of kilometres of trap lines and 3000 hectares to cover, so they are raising money for a utility task vehicle. They have made a very funny film to give you a mid-winter laugh and hopefully encourage you to contribute. Check it out and contribute right here.
Box of Light is made possible thanks to these visionaries: