Photos of the year: RNZ's picks from around the country

RNZ's photographers have had a busy year covering political scandals, the royal tour, the prime minister's baby and other major events. Presenting photos of the year from around New Zealand.

Cyclone Fehi caused chaos for the West Coast and Nelson, forcing evacuations and leaving thousands without power. Around 15 people had to help move this tree off the road:

The British royals' tour generated wall-to-wall live coverage across media in October. They were greeted with hongi upon their arrival at Government House, Wellington:

Jacinda Ardern made international news after becoming the second world leader to have a baby while in office:

Baby Neve Part Two: This time making her debut at the United Nations.

Former taxi driver Alem Tesema was still waiting for relocation a year after being shot by a passenger:

Major Keelan begs on the streets of Napier to feed his addiction to synthetic cannabis. This shot was part of a feature by RNZ reporter Anusha Bradley into Maraenui.:

A humpback whale stranded with her calf on Ripiro Beach in August. She and her calf did not survive despite rescue efforts:

This shot from Rebekah Parsons-King was taken for an Insight feature from Māori News Correspondent Leigh-Marama McLachlan about the difficulty of building a life after a prison sentence:

Jami-Lee Ross delivered a rather extraordinary press conference captured here by Rebekah Parsons-King:

Stewart Murray Wilson - the 'Beast of Blenheim' - was jailed for more historical rape charges in November:

Damage left on a man's farm after a tornado swept through Rahotū:

Marfell man Ngawiki wasn't impressed when Housing Minister Phil Twyford came to the area to announce a Kiwibuild project where locals weren't represented:

Marlon Williams won big at the Silver Scrolls and Vodafone New Zealand Music Awards this year. He's pictured here arriving at the Silver Scrolls in October:

People place candles and flowers next to a photo of British backpacker Grace Millane during a vigil at Civic Square Park in Wellington:

* Photos by Rebekah Parsons-King, Claire Eastham-Farrelly, Luke McPake, Dan Cook, Robin Martin, and AFP.