As 2024 draws to a close it’s time to push humility aside and celebrate some of the moments, both big and small, which made us feel stoked to call New Zealand home.
NZ claims largest haka world record at Eden Park
More than 6000 people of all ages packed into Auckland’s Eden Park in September to bring home the record for the world’s largest haka in an electrifying display of unity.
The previous record held by France since 2014 (4028 people) was quickly surpassed as the crowd performed Aotearoa’s most well-known haka – Ka Mate – in front of special guests including director Taika Waititi, boxer David Tua and American TV host Conan O’Brien.
On his first visit to New Zealand, O’Brien said: “To see this many people come together and be unified is such a beautiful thing. Everyone here is so filled with the spirit.”
More than 6500 people gathered to perform Ka Mate at Auckland’s Eden Park. (Source: 1News)
HAKA cultural ambassador Dame Hinewehi Mohi said it was an “incredible night”.
“The buildup and the sense of unity, kotahitanga, was absolutely ripe, and the opportunity to show the world our pride in our cultural heritage and how this is our unifying force,” she said.
Communities rally to help animals
This year also saw a number of instances where local communities rolled up their sleeves and banded together to help animals in need.
In January, a mass stranding of up to 40 false killer whales and bottlenose dolphins were refloated after East Cape locals came to help. More recently, people in Golden Bay rallied to refloat almost two dozen long-finned pilot whales under the guidance of Project Jonah.
Four pilot whales died in the stranding on Ruakākā Beach, Helen Castles reports. (Source: 1News)
Back on land, community efforts to find both a missing dog in the Bay of Islands, and a 6-year-old cockatoo in Porirua were rewarded with warm, fuzzy feelings of pride when they were both successfully found.
Defence forces band together after lost luggage
New Zealand and Australian defence forces came together at Gallipoli in April in a moving display of Anzac spirit to ensure members of our military contingent could play on after luggage was lost in transit.
The Kiwi contingent lost its luggage while transiting through Dubai, leaving them without uniforms and band instruments. (Source: 1News)
The Kiwi contingent’s luggage, containing instruments and uniforms, were lost amid delays caused by severe floods in Dubai, prompting fears they may not be able to participate.
Thankfully, some of the makeshift provisions, including the bugle used to play the Last Post, were arranged by Australian comrades and ceremonial elements were able to go ahead.
Back on home soil a number of New Plymouth residents also showed “good Anzac spirit” as they worked to lift a car which was obstructing seats for veterans and dignitaries at the town’s dawn service and move it out of the way.
Olympic success
Our Olympic team were welcomed back onto home soil with open arms in August, adorned in gleaming gold, silver and bronze won at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Among them was Dame Lisa Carrington with her three golds on full display. (Source: 1News)
Emotion flowed as athletes embraced their loved ones, who had cheered them on every step of the way and earned New Zealand 10 golds – its most successful gold haul, surpassing the Los Angeles Games in 1984.
Even the most stoic among us would be hard-pressed not to feel the stirrings of national pride at the gargantuan effort of the 195-strong team.
Black Ferns wrap King Charles in group hug
The Black Ferns Sevens women proved no occasion was too formal for a big group hug this year.
The team met with King Charles at Buckingham Palace where the monarch wished the team great success for their match against the Roses, the Black Ferns performing a waiata and presenting him with a signed jersey.
In cheeky Kiwi fashion, Winger Ayesha Leti-I’iga went for a bold approach and asked whether it was OK if some of the team gave him a hug, to which he responded with a joyous: “Of course.”
The Black Ferns met King Charles at Buckingham Palace ahead of their match against England this weekend. (Source: 1News)
As the players politely flocked to the 76-year-old, the rest of New Zealand beamed with pride as they once again represented us in the most positive – and most Kiwi – way possible.