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In their hundreds and in their thousands, Kiwis have used nzherald.co.nz and social media to discuss the news issues that have mattered to them.
Here, we list the 10 discussions and debates which mattered most.
1. News discussion of the year - Paul Henry
By a country mile, the biggest news debate of the year was the conversation surrounding Paul Henry and his controversial exit from Television New Zealand. The debate included over 1500 comments in our Your Views section and hundreds more across Facebook and Twitter.
It is easy to see why. If Henry's comments about Indian official Sheila Dikshit's surname tested the boundaries of decency and stirred the pot of public opinion, his suggestion to Prime Minister John Key that Auckland-born Governor-General Sir Anand Satyanand didn't look like a real New Zealander caused that pot to boil over.
The incident shone the spotlight on what binds all Kiwis together - our national identity. Of course, opinions were divided over what that identity actually was:
"We are in a time of change in our 'identity of New Zealander' and we need debate about this, wrote Cindy in nzherald.co.nz's Your Views community section.
"We need to laugh at ourselves more and not take ourselves so damn seriously."
IMO said New Zealanders should be represented by people whose surnames sounded familiar.
"Kiwis built this expensive but great country to what it is today through hard work, so surely positions representative of NZ should be filled by Kiwi-sounding surnames like Minto, Harawira, Tamihere, Bolger etc."
Ron suggested that Kiwis did not like to be seen as being politically correct.
"But since when have we allowed that to turn us into rude, ignorant and arrogant bullies?" he asked.
"This is pretty low," Mehreen Choudhary wrote on nzherald.co.nz's Facebook wall.
"I was born in NZ and am a proud Kiwi, and so are my two 'Indian looking' kids. Are my kids going to be treated this way too, and their kids? How many generations before idiots like you [Henry] get real?"
The debate also put the issue of free speech back on the table. Some Kiwis echoed the comments of TVNZ PR woman Andi Brotherston, who claimed Henry only said what "we quietly think but are scared to say out loud."
"He is an entertainer with life in him," commented Trish at Your Views.
"If Paul is sacked perhaps we should take a good look at Parliament and reporters every time they speak."
On Facebook, Jasmine Sanson suggested what's good for the goose was good for the gander.
"It gets you thinking ... if people have the right to ask those kinds of questions, and if we have the right to get pissed off about it."
"Freedom of speech does not mean nobody's allowed to be offended by what you say, and that you are free from bearing any consequence of your words," wrote Madeleine Ware.
"He should lose his job over it, just as I probably would."
2. The Canterbury earthquake
The response to the earthquake which shook the people of Christchurch and its surrounding areas awake in the early hours of September 4 demonstrated to New Zealand the power of social media and how anyone, from a news organisation to an eyewitness to a concerned citizen in another province, could present a news story to the nation.
Within hours of the magnitude 7.1 earthquake it seemed as though every capable Twitter user in New Zealand had joined the ongoing discussion - sharing emergency service details, sending messages of support and asking hard questions of the Government and the mainstream media's response.
The public's need for knowledge and updates meant a steady flow of tweeted information from nzherald.co.nz, various other media and members of the public, and it all started with a single tweet:
"QUAKE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"
The discussion was a journey, following shocked Cantabrians - and their relatives, friends and wellwishers from elsewhere - as they sought to comprehend what happened to their region. How they would recover. What help they could receive, and what help they could give.
One local, Hoon Hay dairy owner Suresh Patel, came to his community's aid by giving away supplies to those who could not afford it. His story was first told with a tweet, and resulted in his selection as a New Zealander of the Year finalist.
A selection of comments on the Canterbury earthquake:
- Anne-Maree (Your Views)
Can't imagine the dreadful and scary time you have all been through. From the photos it looked like a bomb and tsunami struck at the same time.
- jbergler (Twitter)
Just setup an office sweepstake for the magnitude of the aftershocks, have to keep entertained at work somehow.
- Peter Tuffley (Facebook)
We often buy milk from Suresh Patel's shop. My wife went in the other day to buy some milk and praised what he had done, and he was incredibly modest and just muttered something about "doing what we can to help". He's a star!
- Lori Mairs (Facebook)
I am so amazed at all the good that is happening now. As a nation you really are unique, be proud, very proud, that you have managed (even with all that isn't good) to shine like no others would dare to even imagine.
3. The safety of cyclists on NZ's roads
The issue of cycle safety came to the fore late this year after five cyclists died in five days as a result of crashes on our roads. The incidents reopened debate on what needs to be done to make cycling safer.
A selection of your comments on cycle safety:
- Pebblez (Your Views)
Just a safety check to see that there isn't a cyclist approaching - that is just common sense and should be taught right from the first time young people hop in a car learning to drive. Car versus pushbike is not a good match. Patience and common sense on both parts are needed.
- Spudooli (Twitter)
I'm not a cyclist. I'm a car driver. This isn't an us and them problem here, it's an us problem.
- thezez (Twitter)
I passed 3 cyclists on Tamaki Drive today listening to their iPods as they rode in rush hour traffic. C'mon guys, meet us halfway here.
- Mark (Facebook)
We need more cycle lanes (not footpaths - unless they're actually usable) and less people who don't accept cycling as a viable means of transport. I cycle to and from work, it's not a sport for me, why should I die because of car users who think they own the road?
4. Bringing home the Pike River 29
On November 19, an explosion trapped 29 workers at the Pike River Coal mine near Greymouth on the South Island's rugged West Coast. Hope that the men might be found alive was extinguished five days later when a second explosion tore through the mine.
Pike River CEO Peter Whittall and Tasman Police district commander Gary Knowles earned respect for fronting up to the media each day to give updates on the situation. Grey District Mayor Tony Kokshoorn was an ever-present force, rousing support and sharing information whenever he could.
New Zealanders came together to share in their grief and to show support for the families, friends, colleagues and communities affected by the tragedy.
A selection of your comments about the Pike River mine tragedy:
- alronberg (Twitter)
Seeing hardened cops cry and know that real people have lost real loved-ones just rips me apart.
- Matt Paulin (Facebook)
Peter Whittall, I'll buy you a beer any day, but for now, know my candle burns for your heavy heart too.
- NZTopModelColin (Twitter)
Thinking of the good citizens we have lost #PikeRiver -WE will live a little more for them...be a little kinder ...laugh and love a lot more
- ShineKelly (Twitter)
Much respect for Peter Whittall - throughout #pikeriver he has been consistent, courageous, professional, polite, calm and forthright.
5. Pete Bethune, whaling and the damaged Ady Gil
Anti-whaling activist Pete Bethune spent five months in a Tokyo jail this year after he was pleaded guilty to charges relating to a high-seas incident involving a Japanese whaling ship. He returned home after receiving a two-year suspended sentence but without his boat, which was destroyed in a collision with the Shonan Maru II.
Sea Shepherd - a group Bethune later cut ties with - claimed that as a New Zealand citizen, he was entitled to serve a citizen's arrest warrant to the Shonan Maru II's captain.
While Bethune was held in Tokyo, the New Zealand Government came under pressure to investigate the Ady Gil's sinking, and to do more to have him freed.
A selection of your comments on Pete Bethune:
- Katrina (Your Views)
What are we supposed to do for a man who took it upon himself to do what he did? As much as we all despise the whaling industry, the man knew his actions would have such an outcome.
- Bug (Your Views)
Peter is a New Zealand citizen and therefore it's the NZ Government's duty to look out for him. We may not all like or agree with the actions of Peter - but we are all NZ'ers and we all deserve assistance.
Rounding out the top 10 are:
6. The alcohol debate - youth drinking, blood alcohol limits, New Zealand's drinking culture and more
7. The union and wage debate, in Hobbit form
8. Is it time to change the New Zealand flag?
9. Do you support teacher strike action?
10. Should John Key have apologised to the Chinese delegation?
- NZHERALD STAFF
