In this year of years for Brendon McCullum his boldest stand was not taken on the fields of Eden Park, the Basin Reserve or Sharjah, but in a room with anti-corruption investigators.

Sitting in a military helicopter after a kidnapping and shoot-out in Yemen, Mary Quin stared at the bodies of two fellow tourists, wrapped in blankets and lying at her feet.

School principal Banapa Avatea's quick thinking and decisive actions averted disaster in peak-hour traffic between Auckland and Waikato.

Professor Jane Harding led the development of a cheap and easy way to treat an ailment that can cause brain damage in babies.

As a trained firefighter, Buddy Harwood is no stranger to saving lives.

This year, Nicky Hager released a book which led to two government inquiries and a police investigation.

There was a moment shortly after Brendon McCullum reached 300 when he looked genuinely bewildered.

When someone suggested brothers Amitai and Pene Pati and their cousin Moses Mackay form a trio, they laughed it off, but Sol3 Mio became bigger than Lorde.

If Lydia Ko and Tiger Woods meet, it might be the American who seeks out the Kiwi's autograph because on a purely age-result comparison Ko is clearly ahead.

At this time every year, the Herald has been able to select one person from many notable contributors as its NZer of the Year. The choice is never easy, but never has it been more difficult than this year.

Most Kiwis have probably not heard of Hannah O'Neill. The 20-year-old is one of the brightest young stars in the ballet world, who also happens to be a Kiwi.

Her social media followings outnumber NZ's population by 2 million, and she hasn't even finished high school.

GeoOP chief executive Leanne Graham led the Auckland software company through a big year of expansion in 2013.

They didn't think it was a big deal then, and still don't. But teens Josh Jarvis, Fletcher Swan and Jayden Rutten don't deny their actions saved a drowning man at Mt Maunganui last summer.

Maintaining political momentum on an issue like climate change can be hard, public interest often glazing over at the frequent debate on emission targets and empty rhetoric.

Lydia Ko has never been to a friend's birthday party. That's part of the sacrifice and the secret of her success.

There would hardly have been a murmur of dissent when Kieran Read was officially acknowledged last week as the best rugby player in the world.

It was business as usual for Valerie Adams, another way of saying the shot put superstar pummelled all-comers.

This week we reveal our finalists for the Herald's New Zealander of the Year - with a focus on our bright young stars.

When Ben Uffindell was told someone had taken him seriously, he laughed out loud.

Air New Zealand's Christopher Luxon hit the ground running when he took over as chief executive on January 1.

Di Humphries is the fresh face in charge of children's clothing retailer Pumpkin Patch.

Twenty-four victories and four defeats during the regular season. A 16-game winning streak. Two straight playoff sweeps.

A perfect year of results - 14 from 14 - all done while missing, variously, Dan Carter, Richie McCaw and Conrad Smith.

The 2013 America's Cup involved a comeback for the ages - although not in New Zealand's favour - and the All Blacks' revival against Ireland will not be quickly forgotten.

Before Steven Adams became the 12th player selected in June's NBA Draft, talent spotters said the Kiwi had a personality to match his 2m frame.

Over the past two years The Warehouse Group has embarked on a wide-ranging strategy aimed at returning New Zealand's biggest listed retail business to its former glory.