Julie Jacobson

The ex-mayor has a new challenge to tick off.

We spoke to those who've been deeply affected – some who lost loved ones and others who became accidental heroes.

At 82 Barbara Brinsley owns one of New Zealand's most covetous wardrobes!

Graeme’s proposal to Colleen – on the first day they met in person – surprised even him.

Genie Em is after a happily ever after with herself!

Karen Maponga recalls that fateful day and how it changed her outlook on life forever.

''Just the smell of smoke puts me on edge. There are reminders every day,'' says expat Kiwi Patty Chinnock.

The doting dads share what life is like with wee Tūtānekai.

Conquering the baby blues is their cup of tea!

Terry put her best foot forward for neonatal care.

Marion Banks sang Sticky Beak the Kiwi when she was just 14 years old. We catch up with her more than 50 years later.

Annie’s still got the acting bug.

Senior customs officer Debbie Baldock (37) and Ash the Labrador have won the Detector Dog National Champs.

Watch this space!

''She sees the person before she sees any disability, and thankfully she saw something in me.''

Shane has teamed up with rehab therapist Lisa Gombinsky Roach to run a non-contact boxing programme that helps fight Parkinson's disease.

Linda was an All Black ‘wag’ before it was cool.

Inspector Leairne Dow is the first to admit the life and death encounters take a toll on everybody, but knowing the end result can be a life saved is what motivates her team.

''Two days before the race, a lot of people died on the summit... It was incredibly sobering for everyone,'' says Kiwi runner Steph Marshall.

After her boyfriend took his own life at age 20, Elle Perriam is campaigning for mental health awareness in the farming industry.

As his last child flies, the empty nester faces a new life.

''There was just this emptiness that you couldn't fill. I couldn't talk about it, even with good friends.''

''The terror was considerable. The Queen didn't laugh at anything.''

All’s fair in love and woodchopping.

Karen Joyce is a miniaturist, crafting elaborately detailed replicas of real-life scenes.

Pamela Kilmartin and her husband Aaron Gilmore have discovered 41 asteroids, a comet and a nova, and they've had space objects named after them.

Fed up with the stigma, Joanna is a proud "fat" person, bringing colour and fun to fashion for plus-sized Kiwis.

Wendy’s a world champ who’s following in her family’s footsteps.

The health battles of the Helleur family's son Jacob began shortly after Jacob's second birthday when he was diagnosed with pauciarticular arthritis in one knee.

Susan Coleman (52) is the Chief Executive of GirlGuiding New Zealand

Sheryll and Steve have twice packed up their lives and moved to support their daughters through tough times.

It’s a new dawn for this morning radio star.

Before undergoing the expensive therapy, Nicky Tooley was facing life in a wheelchair. Now she's part of a group of MS sufferers calling on the Prime Minister to look into funding the stem cell treatment.

Hazel Heal and her middle daughter Bessie Van Hale are on a mission to de-stigmatise hepatitis C.

Born at 30 weeks with a rare genetic syndrome that prevented her jawbones from developing, little Nova wasn’t expected to survive.

''Everyone thought I was crazy − my friends were telling me it was just a mid-life crisis... I had a good job, what was I thinking?'' says Gabriela De Urtiaga.

''It was pretty basic back in the day. You would have a reel and a line, and you'd sit on the beach in your bikini with a little beanie on and that was it, says Carol Quirk.

South Island woman Deborah Winefield's specialist has acknowledged her cancer ''could have and probably should have been diagnosed earlier.''

''There was this huge wave coming towards me, like a big surf wave, and then I was just flailing around.''

Catherine Robertson and her son Callum are both published authors.

“It’s really tight in the house, but there’s no lack of love,” says Marama.

This amazing Aucklander has quit her job so she can focus on her charity full time.

After the tragic deaths of her baby and big sister Huia, the mum-of-four weighed 140kg and was ready for a lifestyle overhaul.

Judy has been dressing up as Her Majesty since the late 80s, although the actress is best known as Shortland Street’s Mona McKay.

Angela Thompson runs a museum with her husband Bill.

When the earthquake hit, Sheena and Michael realised their vows were more important than ever.

The Mt Lyford local suffers a new blow one year after the 7.8 magnitude Kaikoura earthquake that killed his partner.

Life has been full of twists and turns, but this performer wouldn’t have it any other way.

Our best-loved acting dynasty is as strong as ever.

Deborah Adesanya tells how she got on board with Mercy Ships.

A pinhead-sized freckle led to major surgery and a quest for fitness.

Labour is pinning its hopes on its smart and passionate new leader.

"The belief that you need less sleep as you get older is not true," says Philippa Gander.

Act MP David Seymour’s controversial bill is motivated by compassion but it has divided many kiwis.

Virginia’s youthful passion for kicking up her heels has turned into a career.

The MP opens up about her labour of love for her sister.

The air ambulance helped her after a horrific road accident.

As her hubby Daniel Kopa lay dying, Calli Cleland fulfilled his last wish.

Boudewyn is only half joking when he calls Bart his “canary in a coal mine” – and credits Bart with saving his life.

“There’s massive pressure to get the perfect dress.”

Behind closed doors, the elderly are being abused.

Baby Bella endured aggressive treatment for neuroblastoma – and Katie’s own breast cancer fight was to follow soon after.

Officer Rebecca Parker won't let Crohn's hold her back from achieving her dreams.

Our sailing legend is ready for life on dry land.

This brave scholar won't give up.

The mum of two chose her own path.

'Lady Victoria' recently represented New Zealand at a jousting tournament in Australia.

The clever canine has a very special job as an assistance alert dog.

Grief-stricken dad Philip is in anguish over the loss of his much-loved daughter while at work in Auckland.

One woman's passion for the Girl Guides really takes the biscuit.