When Sir Edmund Hillary died in January last year, the nation paused en masse to remember its most famous and respected citizen.
The death at 88 of the first man to reach the summit of Mt Everest, the world's highest peak, in the Coronation year of 1953, was cause for an outpouring of genuine sorrow - and pride.
Sir Edmund, who left a personal mark on New Zealand unmatched for decades, was much more than a mountaineer, though his feat on Everest was what first made him a world headliner.
The man who began his working life as a beekeeper was also a polar explorer, adventurer, writer and diplomat.
He was a really nice guy, too, whose life after Everest brought him many accolades, particularly his five years as high commissioner in New Delhi in the 1980s, and his half-century of toil in the Himalayan mountain kingdom of Nepal, building clinics, hospitals and schools.
His unflagging efforts in Nepal, even when his journeys into the thin cold air of the kingdom threatened his survival in the last years of his life, inspired countless other New Zealanders to help.
His death overshadowed the deaths, at almost the same time, of two other New Zealanders who made huge contributions to their country.
Sir George Laking, an influential diplomat who played a pivotal role in many major events, served as New Zealand ambassador in the United States in the 1960s and before that in Brussels, then became Secretary of Foreign Affairs. After retirement he was an ombudsman for 10 years, most of them as Chief Ombudsman.
Prof Ian Coop spent more than 30 years at Lincoln University, his work there revolutionising the pastoral industry with sheep breeding and raising techniques that became standard farm-management practice, according to one obituary.
His name and work is remembered in the Coopworth breed.
Among other notable New Zealanders who died in 2008:
January
1. Joan Dingley, OBE (91). Noted plant scientist; a prime mover in establishing Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens.
2. Lindsay Poole, CBE (99). Acclaimed forester, botanist, director-general of Forests 1961-71; later chairman Soil Conservation and Rivers Control council; vehement opponent of forests sell-off late 1980s.
3. George Louisson (92). Former head, obstetrics-gynaecology, Christchurch Hospital, medical superintendent Christchurch Women's Hospital 1969-80.
3. Bob Thomson, OBE, Polar Medal (80). Former superintendent DSIR Polar Division 1970s; remembered for his Wilkes-Vostok polar traverse of 2900km; in the US where he lived.
4. Bert Walker, CMG (88). Christchurch MP who held Cabinet rank in Holyoake, Marshall and Muldoon governments.
7. Graeme Blake (69). Leading plastic surgeon who performed free cleft lip, palate surgery on disfigured children in Nepal.
10. Sir George Laking, KCMG (95). Influential, distinguished diplomat, public servant; New Zealand ambassador to the US 1961-67; secretary of Foreign Affairs 1967-71; later Privacy Commissioner and Chief Ombudsman.
11. Sir Edmund Hillary, KG, ONZ, KBE, Polar Medal (88). Conqueror of Mt Everest 1953, polar explorer, adventurer, New Zealand high commissioner to India 1985-89; builder of schools, clinics, hospitals in Nepal.
13. Ian Coop, CBE (93). Lincoln University professor who revolutionised pastoral farming and man behind the breeding of the Coopworth sheep.
16. Hone Tuwhare (85). Celebrated poet.
27. Dr John Hiddlestone, CMG (82). Director-general of Health 1973-82.
February
8. Jack Harker (91). Wartime petty officer who spent 50 years writing about the navy, its ships, sailors.
11. Dorothy McKegg (79). Noted Wellington actress who played the original Elizabeth in Roger Hall's play Middle Age Spread; once married to British speed king Donald Campbell.
12. Ron Chippindale (74). Internationally respected air-accident investigator remembered chiefly for his role in Air NZ Erebus crash probe; killed in a traffic accident.
19. Barry Barclay, MNZM (63). Maori television, film pioneer who directed TVNZ's first major documentary series on Maori life, culture, Tangata Whenua, 1972; directed film Ngati (1987).
19. Emily Perry (100). British actress, famous as Madge Allsop, Dame Edna Everage's New Zealand bridesmaid.
March
1. Bill Duncan, CBE (84). Civil engineer hugely involved with construction of power stations; first Secretary of Energy 1977-83.
18. Ruth Dallas, CBE (88). Noted Dunedin-based poet; wrote extensively for school publications, produced nine novels for children.
21. Merv Wallace (91). Talented batsman who played for New Zealand (captain in two tests); national selector, first man to coach New Zealand test cricket team to victory against West Indies 1956.
April
2. Sir Geoffrey Cox, CBE, MBE (mil) (97). Rhodes Scholar, journalist (covered Spanish Civil War, lead-up to World War 2), later served with NZ Division; Charge d'Affairs NZ Legation, Washington DC 1942; later editor-in-chief, managing director Independent TV News; in Britain where he lived.
7. Tony Davies (68). All Blacks rugby back (1960-62); doctor who specialised in gastroenterology; in Sydney where he lived.
10. Sqn Ldr Graham Mandeno, DSO, DFC and Bar (92). One of New Zealand's most highly decorated World War 2 bomber pilots.
11. Fraser Colman, QSO (83). Labour Party stalwart best remembered as the Cabinet minister on the frigate that sailed to Mururoa Atoll in 1973 to protest French nuclear tests.
15. Mahinarangi Tocker, MNZM (52). Singer-songwriter.
21. Robin Dudding (72). Journalist, teacher, editor (Caxton Press, Landfall, Mate, Islands etc).
24. Barbara Calvert (89). Professor, chair Otago University's Department of Education 1976-83.
26. Don Inglis (78). Lawyer, judge; first QC on Family Court bench; chaired Marginal Lands Board inquiry 1980.
May
17. Sir Graham Speight (86). Long-serving (1966-98) High Court judge.
20. Mihipeka (Aunty Mihi) Edwards (90). Noted orator, writer, teacher.
June
1. Doug Zohrab (90). Diplomat who spent 26 years serving New Zealand overseas - London, Moscow, Paris, Tokyo, Geneva, Kuala Lumpur, Bonn.
4. John Armitt (82). Wrestler who won gold in featherweight division 1950 British Empire Games, Auckland.
5. Charlie Dempsey, CBE (87). "Mr Football" in NZ, Oceania, served as Oceania confederation's president for 36 years before being appointed to Fifa, the world governing body.
5. Colin Kay, CBE (82). Auckland mayor 1980-83; 1962 Perth Commonwealth games team manager; founded Round-the-Bays run 1973.
11. Ann Martindell (93). New Jersey state senator appointed US ambassador to NZ 1979; while here fell in love with artist Toss Woollaston.
12. Monte Ohia (63). Gifted teacher, prominent in Maori education.
13. Sam Freedman (96). Musician, composer, lyricist whose best-known song now is Haere Mai.
18. Murray Lane (70). Business leader (Lane Walker Rudkin), environmentalist.
27. Lyn Davis (64). Highly regarded mid-1970s Canterbury, All Blacks halfback.
July
5. Stephen Taylor (81). Left-wing doctor, active in many causes; founding patron of what's now Ash, the anti-smoking lobby.
16. Bob Walton, CMG, OBE, Queen's Police Medal (86). Police Commissioner 1978-83, a period notable for the Bastion Point confrontation and controversial Springboks tour and its violence.
August
3. Sayers, Lady Patricia, CBE (84). More widely known as Patricia Coleman, professor and dean, Faculty of Home Science, University of Otago 1962-86.
9. Bob Cunis (67). Big-hearted medium-pace bowler who played 20 tests for New Zealand 1964-72.
14. Gottlieb Braun-Elwert (59). Outstanding German-born mountaineer, guide who collapsed, died on a skiing trip with party that included then prime minister Helen Clark.
25. Richard Holden (60). Self-made, talented character with zest for life; developed Steinlager into the brand it is, became chief of Foster's in NZ, designed dresses that won five Melbourne Cup Fashions in the Field, ran Wellington department store Kirkcaldie & Stains for several years.
31. Sister Paul Brettkelly (61). Catholic nun, human rights activist, advocate for HIV sufferers.
September
2. Stuart Nicol, MBE (mil) (85). Spitfire fighter pilot who commanded Desert Air Force Communication Flight and flew the Eighth Army commander; later Christchurch optometrist and world figure in life-saving.
7. Sir Hamish Hay (80). Christchurch city's longest-serving mayor 1974-89; driving force in building the stylish town hall.
8. Prof David Cole (84). Eminent heart surgeon, who led Auckland University School of Medicine for 15 years.
8. Ron Guthrey (92). Businessman (Guthrey Travel, Guthrey Coachlines), Christchurch city councillor 1944-68, mayor 1968-71.
13. Duncan Laing, OBE, CNZM (77). Celebrated Dunedin-based swimming coach.
25. Brian Donnelly, QSO (58). Teacher, respected list MP (for NZ First) from 1997 until he quit Parliament early 2008 to become high commissioner in Rarotonga.
27. Sir John Thorn (97). Port Chalmers businessman, mayor of the town 1956-89.
October
2. Rob Guest, OBE (58). English-born musical theatre star who won pop fame in New Zealand before leaving for United States, then Australia; best remembered for his lead role in The Phantom of the Opera.
2. John Tahuparae (69). Maori orator appointed Parliament's first official kaumatua in 2000.
10. Graeme Thomson (69). Broadcaster; long-time host of television's Sunday morning Praise Be! programme.
13. Les Pownall (87). Vice-chancellor Canterbury University 1961-66; second-in-charge London University 1966-71; in Australia where he lived.
14. Dame Daphne Purves (99). Noted Dunedin-based educationist; president International Federation of University Women 1977 for three years, first to hold the post from southern hemisphere.
19. Paul Shanahan (66). Diplomat trade negotiator director of secretariats of Gatt and successor, World Trade Organisation; secretary of Uruguay and Doha Rounds.
19. Dick Poole (71). Acclaimed photographer, widely respected internationally.
26. Binda Goldsbrough (96). British-born Montessori teacher who championed this system of teaching in New Zealand after her 1951 arrival.
29. John Darwin (84). Mathematician, Government Statistician 1980-84; member, Royal Commission on Electoral Reform that led to MMP in 1996.
November
3. Bill Dyson, MBE (mil) (88). Former soldier, great all-round sportsman, administrator; introduced the butterfly stroke to New Zealand.
7. Hedley Howarth (64). Noted spin bowler who took 86 wickets in test cricket for New Zealand late 1960-70s.
20. Kevin Ryan (77). High-profile Auckland lawyer, QC.
27. Mike Minogue (85). Popular Hamilton mayor 1968-75; colourful, outspoken National MP for Hamilton West 1975-84 who went head to head with Robert Muldoon.
December
6. Robert Wade (87). Chess player who won New Zealand championship three times in 1940s before moving to England where he won two British titles and became an influential figure in the game.
13. Don St Clair Brown, MBE (94). Revered yachtsman, chairman New Zealand yachting's Olympic committee for 20 years; sailing until the day before his death.
13. John Drake (49). All Blacks prop; member of 1987 World Cup-winning team.
24. Ian Ballinger (83). The only New Zealander to win a medal in Olympic shooting, finishing third in the 50m rifle prone event at the 1968 Mexico Olympics.
