The year in news reviewed, part three: Stories that shaped 2020
In the final part of our look back at 2020 we revisit the big stories of the last three months. Read Part one and Part two.
October
Having emerged from a mini-lockdown, New Zealand has a Covid general election looming on 17 October. Political leaders are on the road campaigning, albeit in a socially-distanced way.
The month started with a ferocious wildfire in the Mackenzie Basin.
“Like winning the lotto” that’s how a Lake Ōhau couple described discovering their pets alive and well days after they were separated by fire.
Residents frantically tried to find and bring their pets with them as they fled the embers and flames that swept through the village on 5 October.