New Zealand New Millennium: A decade in pictures

This book is hailed as the perfect book for everyday New Zealanders with an interest in the world around them. I was looking forward to a photographical history of the major events of the past decade. Even keeping in mind the last decade finishes in 2010 and therefore doesn't take into more recent major news headlines like the February 22nd quake in Christchurch, the Rena disaster or winning the Rugby World Cup, I was sure there would be enough exciting and interesting events for everyone.

This book certainly covers a lot of events, but I was surprised at some omissions, especially considering some other content worthy enough to be included. For example, there is a photo taken during a rugby league semi final in Auckland, but none of the final nor no photo during the game or after, when the Crusaders won their seventh title in 2008, becoming the most successful rugby franchise in super rugby and one of the most successful teams in world sport.

Rather than saying this book reflects the highs and lows of the decade, I felt it was more of a reflection of our society. Yes we did have top sports people competing on the world stage but we also had golfers prepared to go out on their local course on a foggy morning to play just for the love of the game. Some major events around the world had an impact on us, but we also had more regular things like rescues from our beaches, nit checks in schools and sheep musters.

Rather than saying this book is 'the perfect book for everyday New Zealanders with an interest in the world around them' I would say it offers a snapshot of New Zealand during the first decade of the new millennium through the eyes of photographers of the New Zealand Herald. It represents the news, events and other points of interest that had an impact on New Zealanders but also the more ordinary things that New Zealanders, particularly Aucklanders participated in. If you look at it this way and see the photos for the splendid works of art they are, then it is worth buying.

RRP $50.00
Published and distributed by Penguin Group