Some of Newshub's most memorable moments

  • 05/07/2024
Newshub has had some incredible moments throughout the years.
Newshub has had some incredible moments throughout the years. Photo credit: Newshub

After 34 years of bringing the news to Kiwis, it would be impossible to encapsulate Newshub's most notable moments in one article.

But that's not going to stop us from trying.

From agenda-setting political interviews to lifechanging donation campaigns, Newshub journalists have always known how to make an impact.

But we also firmly believe the news doesn't always have to be serious, and have been responsible for our fair share of viral stories over the years.

So here, on our last day, are some of the most memorable moments from our broadcast and online coverage - from the iconic to the absurd.

John Campbell's 'Corngate' interview with Helen Clark: on July 9, 2002, then-Prime Minister Clark accused Campbell of ambushing him during this election campaign interview about genetically modified crops.

Tova O'Brien's fiery interview with Jami-Lee Ross: When the Advance NZ leader appeared on Newshub Nation after the 2020 election, then-political editor O'Brien held nothing back, demanding Ross justify why he had aligned himself with Covid conspiracy theorists in what she later termed a 'feral' interview.

Nimble newsgathering: Three National News' coming-of-age moment was when a police helicopter and aeroplane crashed onto the Auckland motorway in 1993. Traffic was blocked up and getting to the crash scene was near impossible. TV3 sent camera operators on motorbikes, getting exclusive scene pictures.

The first reporter to go undercover at Gloriavale: Melanie Reid was the first reporter to go undercover to report on the secretive Chirstian community on the South Island's West Coast. In 1994 Reid posed as an agriculture student and hitchhiked to the remote community.

Driving dogs: In 2012 Campbell Live ran a pawsome segment that gained worldwide attention, featuring two SPCA rescue dogs who had learned how to drive.

Trump supporter calls Patrick Gower "the lyin' media": while covering the United States presidential election in 2016, Gower was spurned while attempting to interview Trump supporters. "What is New Zealand?" the man retorted.

Stranded cows rescued from quake island near Kaikoura: two cows and a calf became worldwide sensations after their farmer rescued them from an island of rock after the 2016 earthquakes

On-air bloopers: live television suffers no fools and has caught out journalists, presenters and guests alike. From Hillary Barry's snorts to disastrous live crosses and guests getting caught where they shouldn't, here are the moments we love to cringe at.

Lorde's secret Instagram onion ring review account revealed: some skilled online sleuthing by a Newshub reporter led to the astonishing revelation that Lorde was dabbling in food blogging by reviewing onion rings she'd eaten while on the road.

Stephen Joyce gets hit in the face with a dildo: That says it all, really. The government minister was struck by the flying rubber thrown by a protester at Waitangi.

Evan Hill gets a new smile: In 2011, Campbell Live's feature on 12-year-old Evan's extreme buck teeth prompted Kiwis to donate thousands of dollars for the Christchurch youngster's dental treatment.

Mark Richardson told off by Jacinda Ardern: AM host Richardson was roundly criticised by the newly appointed Labour leader in 2017 after asking her whether she intended to have children.

Samantha Hayes in Antarctica: Hayes visited the frozen continent just as sea ice in the Ross Dependency broke several months ahead of schedule. She spoke to Duncan Garner about the experience.

Mike McRoberts in Gaza: In 2014, McRoberts reported from Gaza during what was at the time one of the deadliest conflicts between Israel and Palestine in decades. He said the experience stuck with him and shaped his career.

Health Minister David Clark throws Ashley Bloomfield under the bus - while standing right next to him: In an extremely awkward interview in the thick of the Covid pandemic, Dr Clark blamed the Director-General of Health for the Ministry of Health's failure to test hundreds of people before releasing them from quarantine.

Nikki Kaye says Paul Goldsmith is Māori: in an attempt to defend National's lack of diversity on its front bench in 2020, then-deputy leader Nikki Kaye said - incorrectly - that Goldsmith was "obviously of Ngāti Porou descent".

David Farrier interviews Colin Craig in a sauna: Then-Conservative Party leader Craig was forced to defend his unconventional interview, which party supporters found humiliating.

Some of Newshub's most memorable moments

Auckland resident raises concern about glory hole in public toilet: Trent Pitman took matters into his own hands when he made the unsavoury discovery in a Grey Lynn public toilet, calling police and getting the council to patch the hole.

French tourist defacates on Dunedin street: The woman was caught on camera doing her business on the road, before pushing it into the gutter.

Man writes book about having sex with a dolphin: The controversial interview with dolphin-lover Malcolm Brenner aired on Nightline in 2011.

Shoe shop employee's fetish exposed: A Palmerston North Number One Shoes employee escaped conviction after it was revealed he was stealing, spitting and committing sexual acts in women's shoes