Good Sort: Jesiah Oli-Alainu'uese
When he saw his teacher struggling to breathe, 10-year-old Jesiah Oli-Alainu'uese knew exactly what to do.
His actions at lunchtime last Thursday likely saved the life of his teacher, Leah Smythe.
Jesiah is a pupil at Raureka School in Hastings and was just about to leave his classroom to join his friends for lunch when he saw Smythe start to cough.
“She patted me on the shoulder. I could see that she was choking, so I whacked her on the back three or four times. Really hard,” he said.
That did the trick and the piece of food lodged in Smythe's throat was dislodged, allowing her to breathe again.
Jesiah said he knew what to do because he had seen someone at another school do it to a student who was choking.
“I hit her pretty hard. I got my strength from boxing training. When she called my mum she said her back was still sore,” Jesiah said.
Jesiah's feat was recognised at a school assembly on Friday, at which he was presented a gift by a St John Ambulance paramedic.
Principal Greg Riceman said he was very proud of Jesiah.
“It was really fantastic, what he did,” Riceman said.
Would you know what to do if you found someone choking?
- Reporting by Marty Sharpe
Scam Alert: Fake information regarding December Bonuses from MSD
The Ministry of Social Development is reporting that fake information is circulating about new ‘December bonuses’ or ‘benefit increases’
If you get suspicious communication, please contact Netsafe.
Poll: Are Kiwis allergic to “exuberance”? 🥝
In The Post’s opinion piece on the developments set to open across Aotearoa in 2026, John Coop suggests that, as a nation, we’re “allergic to exuberance.”
We want to know: Are we really allergic to showing our excitement?
Is it time to lean into a more optimistic view of the place we call home? As big projects take shape and new opportunities emerge, perhaps it’s worth asking whether a little more confidence (and enthusiasm!) could do us some good.
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41.5% Yes
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33.6% Maybe?
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24.9% No
Some Choice News!
Many New Zealand gardens aren’t seeing as many monarch butterflies fluttering around their swan plants and flower beds these days — the hungry Asian paper wasp has been taking its toll.
Thanks to people like Alan Baldick, who’s made it his mission to protect the monarch, his neighbours still get to enjoy these beautiful butterflies in their own backyards.
Thinking about planting something to invite more butterflies, bees, and birds into your garden?
Thanks for your mahi, Alan! We hope this brings a smile!
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