Marokopa, Trump and Destiny Church - the stories that hit home in 2025

From across the globe to here at home – 2025 was packed with events which drew the attention of Kiwis on 1News.co.nz.

During the course of the year, Kiwis were captured by the Marokopa investigation, the first year of the second Trump administration, and John Campbell's deep dive on Destiny Church.

Alongside the big stories, Kiwis were also united by their interest in the weather and a universal hatred of poor driving.

Here are some of 1News.co.nz's top stories from 2025:

On September 8, New Zealanders were informed the years-long search for fugitive Tom Phillips and his three children had come to an end.

The man, who had been missing off the grid with his children since 2021, was fatally shot by police after he fired at an officer in Waikato. His children were safely taken into police custody.

Police then released photos of the campsite and said they were hunting for potential accomplices.

The dramatic end to the case and what followed captured the attention of Kiwis, who were able to see one of his campsites for themselves just days after Phillips was killed.

Public interest in the case had made it one of our most read stories of 2025.

Kamchatka was not a place many in New Zealand had heard of before July 30.

But on that day, much of the Pacific was made aware of the peninsula on Russia's far east, when a magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck the region.

Soon after, tsunami warnings were issued for much of the Pacific, including New Zealand, Japan, Hawaii, the US west coast, and parts of Russia.

In Aotearoa, advisories were placed around much of the coastline. Ferries were paused, and our Emergency Management and Recovery Minister Mark Mitchell also warned of "strong coastal and tidal activity" which could impact the country.

While the advisories were eventually lifted, many Kiwis also complained of an early start, with emergency mobile alerts being sent out to much of the country at 6.30am on July 31.

In April this year, 1News chief correspondent John Campbell launched a TVNZ+ investigation into Destiny Church.

Named Under His Command, the investigation covered Destiny's controversial charity status, whistleblowers who were "terrified" of their own church, how drag queens have been targeted by its followers and much more.

One story which drew the most interest was a Q+A with Campbell on the series, where he answered why he felt the investigation was necessary, how he was able to hear from inside voices, and what he felt the church was most afraid of.

The series, which now has a second part, continues to draw the interest of Kiwis on TVNZ+.

In February, clinical psychologist and TV personality Nigel Latta and his wife Natalie Flynn told 1News about the day he learned of his terminal stomach cancer.

In the raw and emotional interview, Latta explained why he made the decision to share his experience with cancer, and explored true love and the power of optimism.

He also shared detail of how the day of his diagnosis changed his and Flynn's lives.

It was a story which captured many, and provided insight into a family experience many could relate to through one of New Zealand's most well-known TV personalities.

After publishing, Latta's interview became one of 1News' most read stories of the year before his death on September 30.

To say a lot of headlines were generated around the first year of US President Donald Trump's second term would be an understatement.

However, just over five months into his second term, the Trump Administration's decision to strike suspected nuclear facilities in Iran on June 22 was the story which Kiwis were interested in the most.

Under Operation Midnight Hammer, the US involvement came after days of strikes between Israel and Iran, beginning on June 13.

1News.co.nz's live coverage of the US strikes became one of our most read stories of the year. It included an interview with New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters, along with developing news from the region, which also ran alongside this year's NATO summit.

It also captured frustration from the US President amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran.

Before departing for the NATO summit, Trump gave reporters some memorable remarks in his usual, unconventional style: "We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f—- they’re doing," he said.

After more than 30 years at TVNZ, it's no surprise the news that longtime 1News At Six presenter Simon Dallow was stepping down drew the attention of Kiwis across the country.

On November 3, TVNZ revealed Dallow was stepping down and would be replaced by fellow 1News presenter Melissa Stokes.

On November 28, during his final broadcast, Dallow reflected on his approach to journalism, and thanked viewers for allowing him to be part of their evenings.

He also signed off with the final message: "To you and your loved ones, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a sunny summer ahead. Pō mārie, goodnight and good luck."

TVNZ announced Stokes would now present the 6pm bulletin from Sunday to Thursday, while presenter and Q+A host Jack Tame would cover Friday and Saturday.

While there were no major surprises, the New Zealand mayoral elections threw up some significant results.

1News.co.nz ran moment-to-moment coverage on October 11 and 12 as results poured in from across the country. Key moments included the re-election of Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown and Andrew Little's victory in Wellington, where he was already a familiar face.

Policy changes also interested Kiwis this year, with rule changes for residential sheds, driver's licence changes and WoFs on phones, and the Holidays Act overhaul all gaining significant traction.

If there's two things Kiwis love to complain about, it's the weather, and bad driving.

So, it may come as no surprise to readers that both topics featured in 1News.co.nz's top stories of the year.

In terms of weather, events which stood out were the subtropical storm which ravaged parts of the North Island in April, two floods in two weeks that devastated the Nelson-Tasman region in June and July, and the severe winds which battered the South Island in October.

As for bad driving, Kiwis were most interested in the story titled: The road rule Kiwis can't seem to follow, and why it matters about the inability of many drivers to keep left of the motorway.

The common violation was described as annoying — and while technically illegal, one of the most flouted road rules in the country.

Through a tumultuous year, it may come as a comfort that some things truly do unite us all.