Katie Holland: As Rodney's family sang a waiata, I shed a tear

My first experience of covering a murder trial has certainly been a memorable one.

The interest in the Menzies Hallett case has been huge, with the media bench packed all day every day - from national TV, radio and newspapers. It's not often I have to fight for space on the Rotorua courts' media benches.

Most of the 10 or so reporters - barring one who reported on the 1979 murder - were not even born when Rodney Tahu was gunned down. Yet we were all riveted to the sometimes unpredictable and always intriguing trial.

From day one, when there were not enough jurors to form a jury, you had the feeling there would be unexpected twists and turns. That was borne out by a long adjournment for legal arguments and the apparent admission then retraction by Hallett.

Unlike in 1979, court reporters today have iPads, iPhones and Twitter accounts and our readers expect "instant" news. That meant the pressure was on to get the latest developments out first.

As a relative "newbie" reporter, it was a huge learning curve.

Staying focused on the job was sometimes hard, especially hearing the disturbing evidence and seeing how that affected the Tahu family, who conducted themselves with dignity throughout.

Waiting for the verdict yesterday, I was tense and it wasn't just about making sure I texted the correct verdict through to the newsroom. And as the Tahus gathered in a circle to quietly sing the waiata Te Aroha, it was impossible not to shed a tear at justice being done.