From top left: A man watches as a rāhui is put in place in Kaikohe; Matariki is celebrated; first travellers arrive from Australia and a violent day outside Parliament in March. Photo: RNZ
One of the worst riots in New Zealand's history, the warmest wettest winter on record, Matariki celebrations and the death of the Queen were among the year's most significant events.
Aotearoa started the year in the traffic light system as the government continued to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic. The border remained closed and vaccine mandates were still in force.
The year ended with the border fully open and few restrictions with acceptance that Covid-19 is something we all have to learn to live with.
It was also a year dominated by high inflation, a cost of living crisis and a health system under huge pressure. The government saw its popularity slip and latest polls were showing Labour had been overtaken by a National / Act alliance as all the parties head into election year.
RNZ photographers captured many of the events that shaped the year for New Zealanders.
Politics
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern met US President Joe Biden at the White House on 2 June 2022. Photo: Joy Asico
Jacinda Ardern also attended Queen Elizabeth's funeral at Westminster Abbey in London. Photo: RNZ / Corin Dann
Dr Ashley Bloomfield called it a day after being the public face of the pandemic for two and a half years. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
New Zealanders got a day off to mark the Queen's death, and a memorial service was held at St Paul's Cathedral in Wellington. Photo: RNZ/ Samuel Rillstone
Willie Apiata attends the memorial service for Queen Elizabeth. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Christopher Luxon has completed a busy first full year as leader of the National Party with deputy leader Nicola Willis taking over as finance spokesperson after the resignation of Simon Bridges. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Dame Cindy Kiro became the country's governor-general. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Samoan Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mataʻafa during her visit to Wellington for talks with Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern among others. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Finance Minister Grant Robertson looks happy with his Budget although it didn't give Labour the bounce in the polls it was hoping for. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
An event at Parliament marked the 50th anniversary since a petition focused on preserving te reo was presented to MPs. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern apologised to Ngāti Maniapoto on behalf of the Crown, at a gathering in Te Kuiti. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
MP Gaurav Sharma caused a stir with bullying accusations against the Labour Party and eventually resigned and lost his job in a by-election in December. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
An event was held to mark one year since the government's apology for the Dawn Raids. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Protests
Protesters angry with the government's handling of the pandemic occupied the grounds of Parliament in February. On 2 March police moved in to remove them, leading to several violent confrontations, fires and multiple arrests.
Make influenza great again protester with gas mask in front of fire Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
A protester wearing a gas mask makes a statement during the riot in the grounds of Parliament on March.
A bar stool flies at police through the mist from a fire extinguisher during the riot. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
An injured police officer is carried away. Photo: VNP / Phil Smith
Some of the items left behind by protesters. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Farmers also joined together for the Groundswell protests in several towns and cities, objecting to government plans over emissions, co-governance and Three Waters.
Tractors travelled in convoy along motorways and streets as farmers sought to make their case.
There were also protests over climate change and the Iranian government's response to its citizens demanding political change. Nurses and firefighters also took to the streets to demand better pay and conditions as well as more staff.
A Groundswell protest in Auckland. Photo: Newsroom / Matthew Scott
A father and son joined this Groundswell protest in Christchurch. Photo: RNZ / Adam Burns
Two protesters embrace during a demonstration outside the Iranian embassy in Wellington on 28 October, 2022. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A Restore Passenger Rail protest on a gantry on SH1 near Johnsonville on 27 October. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Protesters at a climate strike in Wellington on 23 September. Photo: RNZ / Samuel Rillstone
Firefighters held several strikes in search of better pay and conditions. Photo: RNZ / Krystal Gibbens
Shortages of healthcare workers proved contentious and in August nurses took to the streets of Christchurch as well as other cities to press their case for higher pay. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Nurses on strike in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Weather
There have been some damaging weather events during the year. Among the most serious was a storm that hit the Nelson and Marlborough regions in July, with some homes red or yellow stickered.
Torrential rain on 21 March flooded hundreds of homes, businesses and schools in Auckland and Northland.
A wet winter caused multiple slips in the capital with some hillside houses left in a precarious position.
The West Coast and East Coast / Tairāwhiti were among other regions to suffer.
Flood waters rip open the road in Devenish Place, Atawhai, just north of Nelson, during major flooding in July. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A car is pushed on top of a boulder during an intense storm along Wellington's South Coast in July. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
A pedestrian in central Auckland after strong winds battered the region. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Photo: RNZ/ Elizabeth Brown
This slip at Mahina Bay near Eastbourne in Lower Hutt reached the edge of a busy arterial road and caught a Tesla in its path.
Dense fog blankets Wellington Harbour on 31 March. Photo: RNZ / Rob Dixon
The Mangahauini River eats away at State Highway 35 near Tokomaru Bay. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Water in the Leith in Dunedin on the rise on 26 July. Photo: RNZ / Rob Dixon
Damage is evident to a building in Levin after a storm in May. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Crime
Crime was never far from the headlines with concern over a spate of ram-raids and robberies affecting businesses, especially in Auckland. Police said many of the offenders were young people, stealing to order.
There was also an outbreak of gang violence, centred on Northland and Auckland.
A worker carries out makeshift repairs after a ram-raid on a business in Takanini in Auckland. Photo: RNZ / Mohammad Alafeshat
A police officer on guard after gang violence in Auckland. Photo: Marika Khabazi
A rāhui was placed on Kaikohe township in Northland in a bid to end gang violence. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Matariki
The country celebrated Matariki as a public holiday for the first time on 24 June. Events were held all over Aotearoa, including in Te Whanganui-a-Tara, where thousands attended a hautapu ceremony held at Te Papa.
The ceremony began when the stars were visible, and finished as the sun rose over the horizon, signalling the previous year had closed and the new year had dawned: Matariki, te matahi o te tau.
Tohunga Paraone Gloyne looks to the stars during the hautapu ceremony. Photo: ERICA SINCLAIR
Spectators enjoy the hautapu ceremony. Photo: RNZ/ Asia King
A red sky at dawn for Matariki. Photo: RNZ / Shannon Haunui-Thompson
Te Papa lit up. Photo: RNZ / Liam Brown
Dr Rangi Matamua greets Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern at hautapu for Matariki at Te Papa. Photo: RNZ screenshot
General
The Dawn Service on Anzac Day at Pukeahu National War Memorial Park in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Two boys get their first Covid-19 vaccination on the first day New Zealand children aged under 12 were able to be vaccinated against the virus. Photo: RNZ/ Marika Khabazi
The border reopened to Australia first before being gradually extended to visitors from other parts of the world. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Mark Ellis, brother of Peter Ellis, becomes emotional outside court after his late brother's acquittal of child sexual abuse charges.
New police officers perform a haka at their graduation ceremony in Wellington. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Food prices rose sharply meaning leading to a busy time for people like Sophie Smith-Cressey of Fresh Start food bank. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
David Letele at Buttabean Motivation's food bank in Wiri was disappointed when thieves helped themselves to food intended to help out those in need. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
A pōwhiri on the Transmission Gully motorway official opening day on 30 March. Photo: RNZ / Angus Dreaver
Workers prepare the tunnel boring machine to dig the tunnel for the central interceptor stormwater system under the Manukau Harbour. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Rieko Ioane takes a selfie with fans in Christchurch, as the city hosted its first rugby test in six years. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Ōkārito GorseBusters embark on another mission. Photo: Nate McKinnon
Former Gloriavale resident Daniel Pilgrim speaks outside court after winning his employment case against the West Coast community. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
Earthquake repair work costing over $100 million is continuing at the Christ Church cathedral. Photo: RNZ / Nate McKinnon
An Argentina fan celebrates in the Dux central bar in Christchurch as Lionel Messi's team wins the World Cup in Qatar. Photo: RNZ/Nathan Mckinnon
