McCullum's 2014 has been extraordinary - filled with spectacular success, yet tinged by uncertainty knowing his testimony will form a key part of the prosecution if perjury charges against former team-mate Chris Cairns are proven.
2) The 3-4 punch - Kane Williamson and Ross Taylor
The pair's batting acumen has astounded. At 24, Williamson has been at the forefront of a professional revolution. He has more centuries (8) in less tests (37) than Glenn Turner (7 in 41), Andrew Jones (7 in 39), Geoff Howarth (6 in 47) and, dare it be whispered, Bert Sutcliffe (5 in 42).
His one-day record of eight 50-plus scores in his last 10 innings further highlights his value, as does a record tally of 1902 runs across all forms by a New Zealander in a calendar year, overtaking Stephen Fleming's 1658 in 2004.
Taylor's test average this year (32.53) ignores the impact his self-belief had on the team when he made centuries in three consecutive tests against the West Indies last December. He has 12 test centuries, equal with John Wright and behind Martin Crowe (17). Taylor's ODI average, including a run of three consecutive centuries and an average of 57.40 this year, also sparked the team. Captain McCullum said he wouldn't swap the pair for anyone.
3) The match-fixing saga
The cancerous cell on a year of otherwise robust health. The facts are well-documented. Lou Vincent admitted match-fixing and received a life ban. Chris Cairns faces a perjury charge stemming from a High Court libel trial in London when he won damages of 90,000 and costs against former Indian Premier League boss Lalit Modi. Cairns has denied any wrongdoing and has always described match-fixing allegations against him as "despicable lies".
4) The Trent Boult-Tim Southee partnership
Going into the third day of Boxing Day test, Southee had 29 wickets at 26.86 and Boult 30 at 29.6 in 2014, with each getting a wicket every 10.2 overs. Their careers read like mirror-images. In 24 tests together, they're now arguably New Zealand's greatest new-ball partnership. Both have better averages than Richard Hadlee (61 wickets at 27.93) and Richard Collinge (52 at 27.82) in 13 tests together.
5) Tom Latham closes one opening door
New Zealand have another bonafide test opener. Latham's maiden test century epitomised courage and discipline against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi. He repeated the dose in Dubai. He also scored three consecutive 50s against the West Indies in June.
Latham knows what to leave and that judgement is a reason for the selectors to rejoice. He sticks to his game plan of a resolute defence, working deliveries off his legs for ones and twos, sweeping judiciously and auditing his shots through cover. If McCullum is a horses-for-courses opener, the next question is who should Latham's more permanent partner be? Hopefully 2015 will provide the answer.
6) Mike Hesson's meticulousness
A test victory over Sri Lanka in Christchurch would mark New Zealand's most successful year with five wins. The team are on the cusp of rising to sixth in the world across all formats. Hesson has resourced a reservoir of sabermetrics-type material to help this happen. Call it a return to 'Hadleeism', but New Zealand cricket is better for such scrupulous planning. The key theme is building players capable of independent thought, instilling a sleeper cell of belief which awakens when it matters. By investing autonomy in his charges, Hesson hopes to ignite match-winners. Two-and-a-half years into his tenure, it's working.
7) Year of the fightback
Fortitude and resilience have been omnipresent. Firstly came the record sixth-wicket partnership of 352 between McCullum and BJ Watling to save the second test against India. Then came 161 not out from Williamson in Barbados to help win the series against the West Indies after losing the second test in Trinidad. A record 297-run second-wicket partnership from McCullum and Williamson, as part of a record 690 total in Sharjah, enabled them to win the test and draw the series. New Zealand also recovered to draw the T20I series and win the ODIs.
8) Daniel Vettori's test send-off against Pakistan
Vettori was plucked from the New Zealand A tour to join the country's first three-prong test spin attack in 16 years and play his record-breaking 112th test for New Zealand. He said he expected it to be his last and received a special send-off from his wife, children and parents, who sat in the main stand and watched the 35-year-old extend his test career to 17 years and 297 days. The move to find successors advanced with the development of Ish Sodhi and Mark Craig. Craig's man-of-the-match performance of 10 for 203 and 65 runs against Pakistan came at an opportune time.
9) The Jesse Ryder saga
The decision to omit Ryder from the wider World Cup squad was a masterstroke. He pulled out of the New Zealand A tour to the UAE citing "personal reasons" which was the final opportunity for the selectors to assess a possible return to internationals. There was no hand-wringing or procrastination ... just cool, clear decision-making. It sent a message: 'We'd rather have someone reliable than mercurial'. Ryder can now get on with what he does best - scoring runs and taking wickets at domestic showpieces around the world.
10) Reservoir of pace stocks
Fitting six quality pace bowlers into four or possibly five World Cup spots is one of the most welcome, rare and brutal selection conundrums in New Zealand ODI history. Trent Boult and Tim Southee appear certainties. After that, it's anyone guess between the form of Matt Henry, aggression of Mitchell McClenaghan, experience of Kyle Mills and pace of Adam Milne. The quartet are listed in alphabetical order to limit accusations of bias. And if there's an injury crisis? Hamish Bennett and Doug Bracewell remain quality contenders in the wings.
11) Bolstering tournament play weakness
In the Hesson era, New Zealand have had a stream of limited-overs series wins but are yet to progress beyond the group stages at three world tournaments. This year's World T20 in Bangladesh resulted in two wins, two losses and no semifinal. The players have a once-in-a-career chance to rectify that with the World Cup at home. New Zealand have made the semifinals at six out of 10 editions.
