From life-changing reunions and heartbreaking loss to remarkable recoveries, sporting highs and selfless acts of kindness, 2025 has been a year defined by resilience, courage, and heart. Across Aotearoa, Kiwi women have faced extraordinary challenges and embraced unforgettable moments, often both at once. We catch up with eight inspiring women whose strength, compassion, and determination not only shaped their year but left a lasting impression on all of us.
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 spear-fishing 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.
As a child, Benny’s late mother Trudy taught her to gather kaimoana. And she was exceptionally proud of Benny when she dove 47 metres in Cyprus in 2024 to beat the national women’s freedive record.
After leaving a successful advertising career, Benny has found her purpose.
“For now I’m happy not to compete,” she says.
“I also love to teach freediving and see others achieve rather than myself, so I will continue to focus on that.”
Grace Fordyce
This year, aspiring nurse Grace is barely recognisable, in the best way possible.
“My health is incredible now,” she beams.
For years, rare medical conditions, including abdominal vascular compression syndrome and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome, left her in constant agony. At one point, Grace and her parents, Keri and Dave, were told the only treatment available was a risky surgery with a $180,000 price tag.
Instead, the close-knit family found a surgical option in Australia and since the operation in November 2024, Grace can hardly believe how different life is.
“When I look back on 2025, I am insanely grateful for all the opportunities I’ve been given,” enthuses Grace, 18.
She counts experiencing the ANZAC Day dawn service on the shores of Gallipoli while travelling with her family and boyfriend Raffa, participating in a nursing gateway programme and graduating high school amongst the highlights that once seemed impossible.
“The biggest life lesson I’ve learned from this year is that even the worst experiences can develop into the most impactful,” shares Grace.
“It has taught me to be strong, to not give up and that I have the strength to accomplish all my goals, and more.”
Trish Stewart
It started off with Trish looking for a way to reprise the good old days of her aunties sitting around, drinking tea, having a yarn and knitting. Now Yarnteeze, the charitable crochet and knitting group she founded seven years ago, has 60 members – most of whom meet weekly – and has donated more than 7000 handmade items this year alone.
“Yarnteeze has become a community of people who love to help, to give back and to know that they have a purpose,” shares Trish, 69, explaining the lovingly crafted items often go to children and women escaping from domestic violence.
This year, Yarnteeze has bought more than $8000 of yarn on top of community yarn donations.
“Our biggest hurdle has been keeping up with the requests for items and not wanting to let people down,” admits Trish.
Looking to the future, she dreams of a world where there’s no need for Yarnteeze.
“Because that means people’s circumstances have improved,” she explains.
“Failing this, we will hope the yarn keeps coming and we can keep supporting those who need it.”
Erika Barden
Walking the 780km Camino de Santiago with her three children and husband in 2023 was such a life highlight for Erika that she decided to do another route – this time with her 77-year-old mother-in law in tow too.
This year, Erika and husband Seamus, both 52, who first walked the Camino as a newly engaged couple in 2004, returned to Europe with their kids Malaika, 17, Tarquin, 15, and Braeden, 13, and grandmother Sandra to walk the Portugal Way.
“The undisputed highlight for me was spending quality time together as a family,” smiles Erika.
“It was particularly special to have my mother-in-law join us for the second half and have three generations of us walking the Camino together.”
The route finishes at the renowned Santiago de Compostela and is around 260km long. Sandra joined for the final 101km.
Laughing, Erika tells, “My lovely kids fought over carrying their grandmother’s backpack.”
Reflecting on the incredible adventures they’ve shared, Erika is resolute, “You’re never too young or too old to go on an adventure. My son was 11 when he walked his first Camino and my mother-in-law was 77.”
Te Kahukura Boynton
Travelling the country for an ongoing nationwide book tour, talking about money, has been a dream come true for 22-year-old bestselling author Te Kahukura.
“One of the biggest highlights of 2025 for me was connecting in person with our community,” shares the author of Māori Millionaire.
“One wahine told me she’d basically highlighted the entire book – that was incredibly rewarding.”
The first Māori author to release a personal finance book, Te Kahukura hopes “others see me achieving my goals and know that if it’s possible for me, it’s also possible for them”.
But being a caregiver for her nan Jackie Abraham, who passed away in October, also reminded her that chasing success isn’t everything.
“One day, our time will be up,” reflects Te Kahukura.
“Seeing lifefrom her vantage point, the other end of the journey, grounded me deeply. “Mahi [work] will always be there, but our people might not be.”
Steph Dryfhout
When the Weekly met Steph in March, she was number one in the world for women’s tree climbing and had just scooped Rural Sportswoman of the Year. In October, she doubled down, winning a second world championship title in Christchurch.
“When I won, I felt shocked, then a sense of relief, then happiness,” shares Steph, 30, who was tasked with challenges like aerial rescue and speed climbing at the competition.
But she admits there were also unexpected pressures.
“A hurdle I have faced this year and am currently still working on is my headspace in and around competition time,” she explains.
“I had underestimated the intensity and pressure of competing on home soil.”
A full-time arborist, who also trains up to four times a week, Steph is looking forward to a relaxing summer before hopefully defending her title again next year.
“I do intend to come back for the potential three-peat, but I’ll just have to see what happens,” she smiles.
Hayley-Marie Bushby
Hayley-Marie refused to believe doctors when they said she’d probably never walk again after a shock paragliding accident left her paralysed in 2024. Instead, she flew to the US for stem cell treatment and consistently pushed herself with rigorous rehab – and it’s all starting to pay off.
“This year has been full of milestones I once wasn’t sure I’d reach again,” enthuses Hayley-Marie, 30.
Over winter, she and partner Cory went skiing as often as possible, scuba-dived in Fiji and she’s now back at CrossFit, tackling challenging hikes and even tried downhill mountain biking.
“I’ve only fallen out a few times,” she laughs. “The biggest highlight has been feeling like I’m reclaiming my life piece by piece.”
Hayley-Marie explains that since receiving stem cell treatment in October 2024, her glutes, quads, and hamstrings have also begun to activate again.
“It’s taken a full year of three rehab sessions per week, but I’m so much further ahead now than I was pre-stem cells. They truly have worked their magic. “I’m now walking around the house with a walking frame and can cook dinner standing at the kitchen bench using standing aids.”
