'Still sinking in': Grace Prendergast's mum reacts to Olympic gold medal win
Hi neighbours,
Sally Prendergast could not bear to look as her daughter raced towards a first Olympic gold medal.
Grace Prendergast and Kerri Gowler were hot favourites to win the women's pair final after setting the world’s fastest time in the semi-final in Tokyo on Wednesday.
But the odds did nothing to ease Sally Prendergast's nerves going into Thursday's final.
She conceded she “didn’t even watch the end”.
Sally Prendergast told Stuff she was "wide awake" overnight with excitement and nerves, but said the family was confident in the pair's ability.
Grace Prendergast, who was born in Christchurch in 1992, began rowing for Villa Maria College out of Avon Rowing Club in Christchurch in 2007.
Read the full story by clicking 'Read More' below.
Poll: 🤖 What skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
The Reserve Bank has shared some pretty blunt advice: there’s no such thing as a “safe” job anymore 🛟😑
Robots are stepping into repetitive roles in factories, plants and warehouses. AI is taking care of the admin tasks that once filled many mid-level office jobs.
We want to know: As the world evolves, what skills do you think give a CV the ultimate edge in a robot-filled workplace?
Want to read more? The Press has you covered!
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52.5% Human-centred experience and communication
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15.6% Critical thinking
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29.5% Resilience and adaptability
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2.5% Other - I will share below!
Brain Teaser of the Day 🧠✨ Can You Solve It? 🤔💬
Make a hearty dish. Take just half a minute. Add four parts of kestrel. Then just add one. What have you made?
(Trev from Silverdale kindly provided this head-scratcher ... thanks, Trev!)
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealand’s best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealand’s best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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