KEY POINTS:
It's a year tomorrow since the death of Sir Edmund Hillary. His life and achievements will always take a prominent place in the history of this country.
But who stands out now as winning the admiration and respect of New Zealanders?
Every country, every generation, every person needs heroes. No one can replace Sir Ed but who inspires you now as our greatest living Kiwi? Is there someone else whose face deserves to be on a banknote?
A Herald panel has compiled a list of 20 possible choices to start the debate.
You might agree or disagree with our choices - either way, we want to hear from you.
Here are our suggestions in alphabetical order.
Use the Your Views tab on the right to tell us who you would nominate, with reasons. Don't forget - it's our greatest living Kiwi, not simply our most famous. The person whose singular achievements and/or contribution to society stand out from the pack.
Next week we will reduce the list to the 10 most popular, and then ask you to vote.
Willie Apiata, soldier
He is a member of the SAS, and the first recipient of the Victoria Cross for New Zealand (as opposed to the Imperial VC), for bravery under fire in Afghanistan. In 2004, he carried a badly wounded comrade across a battlefield under fire to safety. He has also served in East Timor.
Dame Silvia Cartwright, former Governor-General
A former barrister and solicitor, Dame Silvia chaired the National Women's Hospital inquiry into cancer treatment of patients, has been Chief District Court judge and a High Court judge, and has served as a member of the UN committee to eliminate all forms of discrimination against women.
Sir Bob Charles, golfer
In 1963, he won the Houston Classic, the first PGA Tour event ever won by a left-handed golfer. He won the British Open the same year, and has in total won more than 80 tournaments. In 1993 he won the Senior British Open.
Dame Susan Devoy, squash player
Dame Susan was British Open champion for eight years, and was four times world champion. She retired from professional squash in 1992, and has since chaired the Halberg Trust, and is a patron of the Muscular Dystrophy Association.
Neil Finn, singer/songwriter
He joined his brother Tim's band Split Enz in the late 1970s, but achieved international recognition with Crowded House in 1985. He left the band in 1996 for a solo career, and has released two albums with his brother, under the name Finn Brothers. Currently recording a charity album for Oxfam with other top musicians.
Dr Peter Gluckman, scientist
Founding director of the Liggins Institute, Professor Gluckman has been head of the department of paediatrics at Auckland University, and is recognised internationally for his research into disorders of the fetus and newborn, and growth disorders in children. He has been a member of several health societies and councils, and is a Fellow of the Royal Society of New Zealand.
Sir Richard Hadlee, cricketer
During his 86-test career, Sir Richard took 431 wickets (a record at the time), and was the first bowler to pass 400 wickets. He made 3124 runs, at 27.16, including two centuries and 15 50s. he ended his test career in 1990, taking a wicket with his final ball.
Sir Murray Halberg, runner
He won gold medals in the Commonwealth Games in Cardiff in 1958 and Perth in 1962 in the three miles, and in the Rome Olympics in 1960 in the 5000m. In 1963 he set up the Halberg Trust, to encourage children with disabilities to take part in sport and recreation. He was named to the Order of New Zealand last year.
George Henare, actor
Henare began his career as a singer with the New Zealand Opera Company, and then worked as an actor with Downstage Theatre, Mercury Theatre Company, and in radio, television and film.
Peter Jackson, film director
He produced and directed the Lord of the Rings trilogy, for which he won three Academy Awards. In his early career he was known for horror comedies, before achieving prominence with Heavenly Creatures.
Peter Leitch, butcher, league supporter
Widely known as the Mad Butcher, he is New Zealand rugby league's greatest supporter, and a tireless fund-raiser and charity worker. He has 34 butchery shops throughout the country.
Sir Brian Lochore, All Black, rugby coach and selector
Sir Brian captained the All Blacks 46 times between 1966 and 1970, 18 of those test caps. He was appointed a selector in 1983, and coached the All Blacks to their only World Cup win, in 1987.
Margaret Mahy, children's author
Formerly a librarian, she began fulltime writing in 1980. Her books include A Lion in the Meadow, The Pirates' Mixed-Up Voyage, Aliens in the Family, The Tricksters, and Telephone Tuckertub and Tingleberries.
Colin Meads, All Black
Nicknamed Pinetree, he played 133 games as an All Black between 1957 and 1971, and earned 55 test caps. Although never a regular captain, he holds the record for the longest captaincy period, for non-consecutive games between 1960 and 1971.
Sir Howard Morrison, entertainer Sir Howard came to public notice in the 1960s with the Howard Morrison Quartet, and when they disbanded, had a successful solo career. He has been influential in Maori business development, education and health, as well as youth at risk and victim support.
Sam Neill, actor
His first big film role was in Sleeping Dogs, and since then the Jurassic Park series, The Piano, The Dish, and on television as Reilly, Ace of Spies. He runs the Two Paddocks winery in Central Otago, and supports Greenpeace and Oxfam.
Sir Paul Reeves, Anglican bishop, Governor-General
He was Bishop of Waiapu and of Auckland, and later Primate and Archbishop of New Zealand. He was Governor-General from 1985-1990, the first cleric to hold the position, and the first of Maori descent. He has been involved in constitutional reform in the Pacific.
Peter Snell, runner
Snell won three Olympic gold medals for New Zealand, for the 800m in Rome in 1960, and the 800m and 1500m in Tokyo in 1964. He broke the world mile record in Wanganui in 1962, and was voted New Zealand's sports champion of the 20th century.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, opera singer
She was one of the world's leading sopranos, with a wide repertoire including Mozart, Verdi and Puccini. She still performs in concerts, helps young opera singers launch their careers, and promotes New Zealand widely.
Stephen Tindall, businessman
He started The Warehouse chain in 1982, and held the position of managing director until 2001, when he became known as the Founder. In 1995 he and his wife set up the Tindall Foundation, to help people in need.
