Simply the best in 2025! THOSE WHO CAPTURED OUR HEARTS

From surviving medical crises to creative crafters, impressive sportswomen and millionaires in the making, we catch up with eight inspiring Kiwi women to reflect on their journey

- Kasia De Vydt-Jillings

Hillie Moot

When Hillie discovered a sister she never knew existed through a DNA kit, she had no idea the year of joy that would follow, nor that her beloved Lia Kuis would be gone so soon.

The sisters crammed “a lifetime into a little over 12 months” before Lia passed away in October following a shock terminal lung cancer diagnosis.

“Lia had such a desire to be part of our family that every day held a new treasure,” shares Hillie, 62.

The grief is immense, but one of the gifts Lia left her is the memories of their father Mario, whom Hillie never met.

Initially, Lia was carrying so much anger and hurt towards Mario for, among other things, never telling her about Hillie that she refused to talk about him.

Hillie's husband David, 64, explains, “Lia saw so much of her father's characteristics in Hillie, and loving Hillie like a twin, she could now see the good in her dad, despite the disappointments.

“Over the next months, they discovered together a different man who, to quote Lia, had now become 'our father’.”

Remembering the sister she loved to sing silly songs and shop for matching outfits with, Hillie shares, “Lia was genuine, witty and full of mischief, loving and generous, easily pleased and grateful for the smallest of things.”

Benny Meredith

Ask champion freediver Benny what her highlight of 2025 is, and it's hard to go past unexpectedly swimming with a mother humpback whale and her calf in Tonga.

“They're enormous and the feeling is overwhelming,” shares Benny, 36, who was in 'Eua for a spearfishing competition. “It was so moving and beautiful to see.”

Benny can't remember where she and friend Jordy Bardin placed in the competition –“fifth or sixth” – but she'll never forget the incredible encounter.

“It made me think of my mum caring for me and also how much she would have loved it,” she enthuses.