2024: A Year of Turmoil and Triumph
As the clock strikes midnight on December 31st, it’s time to reflect on the tumultuous rollercoaster ride that was 2024. From the sun-kissed shores of the North Island to the snow-capped peaks of the South, Aotearoa bore witness to a year filled with both tragedy and triumph.
January: A Month of Beginnings and Endings
The year kicked off with a bang as Green Party MP Golriz Ghahraman made headlines by announcing her resignation following a shoplifting scandal. Meanwhile, tragedy struck in Loburn, North Canterbury, as a devastating wildfire tore through the landscape, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.
February: A Time of Celebration and Sorrow
The nation came together to commemorate Waitangi Day, with the hīkoi making its way to the Treaty Grounds in a show of unity and solidarity. However, the month was marred by the sudden passing of new Green MP Fa’anānā Efeso Collins, leaving a void in the hearts of many.
March: A Month of Farewells and New Beginnings
Chloe Swarbrick stepped up to the plate as the new Greens co-leader in the wake of James Shaw’s resignation, while the nation bid a tearful farewell to the late Fa’anānā Efeso Collins. The skies turned turbulent as a Latam flight from Sydney to Auckland hit unexpected turbulence, leaving passengers shaken but resilient.
April: A Time of Protest and Progress
Students across the country took to the streets in a passionate display of climate activism, while the fate of the Petone Wharf hung in the balance amid protests against its demolition. The winds of change blew through the media landscape as Warner Bros announced plans to close Newshub, paving the way for a new chapter in broadcasting.
May: A Month of Strife and Solidarity
Junior doctors rallied together in a nationwide strike against unfair pay cuts, echoing the cries of thousands who protested for National Māori Action Day. The streets of Christchurch and Auckland ran red with flooding, testing the resilience of communities in the face of adversity.
June: A Month of Announcements and Accidents
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon made waves with a $20 million investment in renewable energy for Niue, while the grounding of the Aratere and the sinking of HMNZS Manawanui served as stark reminders of the fragility of human endeavors. As protests raged against fast-track legislation, the nation stood at a crossroads, unsure of what lay ahead.
July: A Month of Chaos and Calamity
A global IT outage wreaked havoc on banks, petrol companies, and retailers, causing chaos around the world. Meanwhile, two buses collided on the Tekapo-Twizel Highway, sending 15 people to the hospital and leaving a community reeling from the aftermath.
August: A Month of Remembrance and Reckoning
As the winter winds swept through Taranaki and the West Coast, the nation paused to mourn the passing of Kiingi Tuheitia Pootatau Te Wherowhero VII. The grounding of the Manahau barge near Westport served as a stark reminder of the power of nature and the impermanence of human endeavors.
September: A Month of Change and Challenge
Kiingi Tuheitia’s youngest child, Kuini Nga wai hono i te po, ascended to the throne of the Kiingitanga, marking a new chapter in the history of the Māori monarchy. Meanwhile, the closure of the Winstone Pulp International sawmill left hundreds without work, highlighting the harsh realities of economic uncertainty.
October: A Month of Nature’s Fury and Human Error
Dunedin found itself underwater as flooding led to evacuations and road closures, while the HMNZS Manawanui met its untimely end off the coast of Samoa due to human error involving the autopilot. As fires raged through the Whangamarino Wetland, the nation stood united in the face of environmental devastation.
November: A Month of Reflection and Resilience
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon delivered a heartfelt apology to survivors of abuse in care, acknowledging the pain and suffering endured by countless individuals. Te Pāti Māori MP Hana-Rawhiti Maipa-Clarke’s powerful haka at Parliament went viral, symbolizing the strength and resilience of the Māori community in the face of adversity.
December: A Month of Healing and Hope
As the year drew to a close, the nation rejoiced as a majority of a pod of stranded whales were successfully refloated in Golden Bay, offering a glimmer of hope in a year filled with darkness. Racing Minister Winston Peters announced plans to ban greyhound racing, signaling a new era of compassion and empathy for our four-legged friends.
2024 may have been a year of turmoil and triumph, but through it all, the spirit of Aotearoa shone bright, illuminating the path forward towards a brighter tomorrow. As we bid farewell to the trials and tribulations of the past year, let us hold onto hope and resilience as we journey into the unknown territories of 2025.