2011's most popular stories in pictures

In photos: Cyclone Vaianu as it made landfall in North Island

New Zealand Herald visual journalists deployed around the North Island to cover Cyclone Vaianu as it made landfall. Here are their images.

Crankworx Rotorua day one photos

Images from day one of Crankworx Rotorua 2026. Photos / Clint Trahan

Rotorua Lakefront weed

Weed washed up at Rotorua Lakefront following last night's wild weather. Photos / Ben Fraser

Mitai Maori Village fire

Damage after a fire at Mitai Maori Village. Photos / Annabel Reid

Legend of the Peaks

The event is expected to attract more than 3000 runners and walkers across six different distances.

Lakeland Queen is back on Lake Rotorua

Lakeland Queen is back on Lake Rotorua. Photos / Annabel Reid, Kelly Makiha

Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association 90th jubilee celebrations in Rotorua.

Bay of Plenty Rotorua Indian Association 90th jubilee celebrations in Rotorua.

Steamers players in the Māori All Blacks

Five Bay of Plenty Steamers players have been selected in the Māori All Blacks.

Whakaari/White Island plume

A large plume rises above Whakaari/White Island this morning. Photos / Facebook

Photos: Rotorua Mini Marathon 2025

More than 2000 kids turned out for the Rotorua Mini Marathon on Friday to kick of marathon weekend in the city. Rotorua Daily Post's Ben Fraser grabbed the camera and went down.

Photos: Rotorua Christmas Parade 2024

The Rotorua Christmas Parade was a bit damp this year but spirits were still high as it made its way around the Government Gardens. The Rotorua Daily Post was there to capture the fun.

Hikoi mo te Tiriti in Rotorua

Images as Hikoi mo te Tiriti marches up Rotorua’s Fenton St on Friday. Photos / Ben Fraser, Kelly Makiha

Sir Robert Gillies tangihanga

Final day of Sir Robert Gillies tangihanga at Rotorua’s Te Papaiouru marae.

Rotorua Breast Cancer Trust‘s Pink Walk

Hundreds turned up to walk the lakefront as a crowd in pink. Photos / Laura Smith

2024 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

Winners at the 2024 Bay of Plenty and Central Plateau Registered Master Builders House of the Year competition.

Sneak peek Matariki drone light show in Rotorua

Sneak peek at the incredible drone light show set to light up the sky this Matariki at the Rotorua Lakefront as part of the Aronui Arts Festival. Photos / Andrew Warner

Rotorua Santa Parade 2003

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from the 2003 Santa Parade.

Santa Parade 1999

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from the 1999 Santa Parade.

Carols by Candlelight 2002

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some images from Carols by Candlelight in 2002. See anyone you know?

Te Pati Māori protest in Rotorua in photos

Protesters gathered in Rotorua this morning as part of a national day of disruption. Photos / Andrew Warner, Ben Fraser

Raft Race

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some photos from raft race on Lake Tikitapu (Blue Lake)

Trolley Derby

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. Here are some images from the Rotorua Trolley Derby.

Rotorua flooding

Precautionary evacuations are under way in Ngongotahā due to fears of rising steam levels.

Rotorua Santa Parade 1989

We are taking a trip down memory lane. Rotorua Daily Post photographer Andrew Warner has been digging through boxes of old photographs in our office to share with our readers. In a first of a series of photographs from events in our city, here's some images that were taken from the 1989 Rotorua Santa Parade. Can you spot anyone you know? Let us know who you recognise.

Lightning over Ōhōpe

Super slow motion video of lightning over Ōhōpe in Bay of Plenty this morning. Video / Damian Rahmann

Locals watching rising Rotorua steam

Rising Ngongotahā Stream near Rotorua. Video / Annabel Reid

Road washout near Rotorua

Road washout on Ngapouri Rd in Waiotapu, south of Rotorua.  Video / Kelly Makiha

Watch: Rotorua cafes' tip jar thefts caught on camera

The same person is suspected of taking the tip jars at two different Rotorua eateries. Videos / Supplied