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.

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

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

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.

On September 23 a routine trip to the supermarket changed mother-of-six Lucy Knight's life forever.

In early November, as Lorde's Royals sat at No 1 on the US charts, another Kiwi success story was blowing up big in America.

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.

Amidst a tough retail environment, Kathmandu chief executive Peter Halkett has led the company through a solid year of growth.

Mark Adamson, the boss of Fletcher Building, has seen the share price double at New Zealand's biggest listed company.

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

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.

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.

In less than a year, Lorde has gone from a Year 12 student at Auckland's Takapuna Grammar to a global pop star.

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.