The All Black coach has taken just about every category of rugby coaching to a new level.
The administration trusts him, the public trusts him, the players trust him. That takes some doing. Got the best out of enough players to win the Rugby World Cup in a canter.
There are even some insights buried in his droll observations. When you look at the mess some other national rugby teams are in, he looks even better. Rugby boss Steve Tew deserves a mention as well. Tew has to negotiate very tricky waters and he does it with great authority. New Zealand continues to provide exceptional young players for its national coaches.
Sports Star No 3 - Nick Willis
I doubt a New Zealand sportsperson has spoken so eruditely or genuinely on a subject to match our Olympic 1500m silver medallist Willis when he lets loose about performance-enhancing drugs in track and field.
He loves his sport, and wants to preserve or restore its integrity for generations to come ... and he doesn't gloss over the dark place it has got to in the process.
The Shot Heard Around the World Award ... and more...
From Grant Elliott, who was a forgotten figure of New Zealand cricket, who launched the penultimate ball of the World Cup semifinal from Proteas speedster Dale Steyn into the Eden Park stands.
This was one of the great World Cup games, and the hometown victory sent the nation - and many observers around the world - into raptures.
Man-of-the-match Elliott won further praise, for offering a consoling hand to a prone and disconsolate Steyn.
Best newcomer
The darts tournament in west Auckland featuring the world's best, led by the amazing Phil "The Power" Taylor. The buoyant crowd scenes should ensure they return.
The Un-sinkables Super sailors
Peter Burling and Blair Tuke kept waving goodbye to allcomers in the Olympic 49er class and were named world sailors of the year.
Rugby World Cup star
For this punter's money, it was Jerome Kaino for putting the punch into the forwards. He was rampant.
Team of the Year
I'll sidestep the obvious and plump for the Highlanders. Their title winning run led by a Joe Ordinary pack was a lesson to all in dreaming the dream no matter what anyone else reckons.
Top tournament
The Cricket World Cup. A final disappointment against Australia, yes, but there were amazing matches involving New Zealand along the way against Australia, England and South Africa. It was 50-over cricket's finest hour for some time.
Under the Radar Award
Scott Dixon dramatically won his fourth IndyCar Series title on a countback after a final race win in California.
Flops of the Year
Warriors and Phoenix. Can't even be bothered looking where exactly they finished. All I know is that they didn't make waves. New Zealand desperately needs high profile alternatives to rugby but the trend is going the other way with league and football struggling. The rugby bizzo is becoming oppressive.
Own Goal of the Year ... and it could get worse
Football. Gave itself a right good kicking, the nadir being the player eligibility shenanigans which led to the national under-23s being blocked out of next year's Olympics. Then we found that the Phoenix are set to be dumped from the A-League. As for the All Whites ... they only seem to play pointless games in remote places in the middle of the night. And Auckland City couldn't repeat the magic of their 2014 world club campaign. The year couldn't have been any worse for football quite frankly, despite the reasonably successful hosting of the under-20 World Cup.
The bright spot? The Football Ferns scored a historic victory over Brazil in San Paulo, thanks to Amber Hearn's goal.
Best image makeover
Brendon McCullum. There was a time when he could do no right to many people. Now the New Zealand cricket captain can do no wrong.
Rope a Hope Award
Joseph Parker world heavyweight champ? Talk is cheap in boxing, which is full of sucker punches. But Parker might be the real deal. He's also as nice a bloke you could meet in sport. Genuine evidence is still scant, to be fair, but don't count him out.
Comeback of the Year
The basketball Breaaaaakers. Cedric Jackson returned, and so did the title.
