To mark the tenth anniversary of nzherald.co.nz we're looking back at some of the highs and lows of the last decade. Below we look at the top ten videos produced by nzherald.co.nz.
KEY POINTS:
1. All Blacks return home after World Cup loss
The All Blacks went into the 2007 Rugby World Cup with a strong chance of winning. Instead, they lost their quarter-final match to France by two points. Arriving home, the team were expecting to be pilloried in the
tradition of the great New Zealand knocking machine. Instead, the public rallied at the airport in a dramatic show of support for their team - proving Kiwis aren't just fair weather fans.
2. Andy Bray speaks about his daughter Natasha
It was supposed to be a normal school trip for the students of Elim Christian College, getting stuck into the outdoor activities on the Mangatepopo River near Turangi. But tragedy struck when the river swelled and took the lives of six students and their teacher. Andy Bray, who lost his daughter Natasha, spoke with enormous courage about her life soon after the tragedy.
3. Deane does a Phelps
Of all the remarkable feats of the Beijing Olympics in 2008, the news of what champion swimmer Michael Phelps eats for breakfast was truly impressive. Three fried egg sandwiches; three chocolate-chip pancakes; a five-egg omelette; three slices of French toast dusted with sugar and a bowl of grits (a maize-based porridge), washed down with two cups of coffee. Ouch. Herald writer Steve Deane was sent to attempt the mammoth breakfast - and then take a swim.
4. Helen Clark steps down
Helen Clark had served as New Zealand's Prime Minister for nine years when the Labour Party were defeated in the 2008 election. Her concession speech contained the surprise news that she was stepping down as leader of the Labour Party after almost fifteen years.
5. John Key gets his victory
As a child, John Key wanted two things - to make a million dollars and be Prime Minister. After having made a fortune as a currency trader, he achieved his other goal in 2008 as the National Party swept to victory in the election. His election night speech joyously celebrated the change of government.
6. Death of a hero
When a woman being attacked called out for help, Austin Hemmings answered. The father of three was tragically stabbed to death when he intervened in a conflict that had nothing to do with him, and he was hailed as a hero by a nation wondering if they would have done the same thing if it had been them in that situation.
7. Nia Glassie trial - case against the accused
New Zealand's child abuse problem was laid bare with the trial of those accused of killing Nia Glassie, a 3-year-old Rotorua girl with a pretty smile who was beaten to death by her mother's boyfriend and his brother. The case against the accused made for a damning account of the actions of those who abused Nia.
8. Funeral for a fireman
A huge fire in a Hamilton coolstore took the life of local firefighter Derek Lovell in April 2008. The community banded together to farewell their hero, with moving tributes from colleagues and a procession through the streets in a red firetruck.
9. Anzac Day 2008
The dawn service at Auckland War Memorial Museum always draws a strong crowd despite the hour and the cold. People gathered to remember relatives and friends, and to celebrate the service of those who gave their lives for New Zealand.
10. The fight against graffiti in Auckland
Graffiti is a menace in many New Zealand neighbourhoods. The man at the forefront of fighting it in Auckland is Rob Shields, graffiti adviser to Auckland City Council. He told nzherald.co.nz about why people do it and how he goes about tackling it.
- NZ HERALD STAFF