Latest fromNew Zealanders of the Year
![She stood up and lives were saved](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
She stood up and lives were saved
Leisa Renwick was fighting for her own life when she decided to fight for the lives of others dying from melanoma.
![Nina Griffiths wins People's Choice Award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Nina Griffiths wins People's Choice Award
After a spate of youth suicides struck the Far North township of Kaitaia earlier this year, an unlikely hero emerged from the tragedy.
![New Zealander of the Year countdown starts](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
New Zealander of the Year countdown starts
The award has been celebrating those who make an outstanding contribution to New Zealand and beyond for a quarter of a century.
![New Zealander of the Year: the finalists](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
New Zealander of the Year: the finalists
They're the Kiwis who make up the 10-strong shortlist for the annual Herald New Zealander of the Year award.
![Have your say on the most inspiring Kiwi](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Have your say on the most inspiring Kiwi
Today is your last chance to vote for one of this country's most inspiring people.
![Have your say on New Zealander of the year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Have your say on New Zealander of the year
Celebrating those who make an outstanding contribution to New Zealand.
![Editoral: Have your say on top Kiwi heroes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Editoral: Have your say on top Kiwi heroes
As the end of the year draws closer, we start to recall those who made a difference to New Zealand in 2016.
![Strong voice for Maori](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Strong voice for Maori
Ngarimu Blair, 40, is credited with being one of Auckland's most influential Maori leaders.
![Leading Zespri's recovery](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Leading Zespri's recovery
Zespri chief executive Lain Jager has been at the forefront of one of the most spectacular turnaround stories of the New Zealand primary sector - the kiwifruit industry's recovery from the Psa virus.
![Unshakeable resolve in face of quakes](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Unshakeable resolve in face of quakes
IAG New Zealand chief executive Jacki Johnson arrived in New Zealand from Australia in 2010 right after the first Christchurch earthquake.
![A voice for those without](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
A voice for those without
New Zealanders first got to know journalist Rachel Smalley from her lively work in television and radio.
![Women bag meals with wheels market](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Women bag meals with wheels market
My Food Bag moved from curious start-up to storming transtasman success this year.
![Research has saved thousands of babies](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Research has saved thousands of babies
More than 3000 babies owe their lives to the work of cot-death specialist Ed Mitchell.
![Brave boy made his voice heard](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Brave boy made his voice heard
It's an experience that can cause many top public servants a touch of dread - and hours in PR-coached preparation.
![Business Leader of the Year Award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Business Leader of the Year Award
Mike Bennetts has driven Z Energy since its inception and this year has been a particularly strong one for shareholders.
![Beck's going big for giant leap into space](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Beck's going big for giant leap into space
Rocket Lab founder Peter Beck's drive and expertise has one of New Zealand's most ambitious aerospace projects on the cusp of a giant leap into space.
![Search for our best of year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Search for our best of year
Today we launch the Herald's annual New Zealander of the Year awards.
![Editorial: Avoiding the easy path earns award](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Editorial: Avoiding the easy path earns award
Knowing the right thing to do is relatively straightforward for most people. A more difficult matter is finding the mental strength to do it.
![NZer of the Year: McCullum](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
NZer of the Year: McCullum
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.
![NZer of the Year: Mary Quin](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
NZer of the Year: Mary Quin
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.
![Finalists for New Zealander of the year](/pf/resources/images/placeholders/placeholder_l.png?d=808)
Finalists for New Zealander of the year
School principal Banapa Avatea's quick thinking and decisive actions averted disaster in peak-hour traffic between Auckland and Waikato.