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Ben Stokes is an English cricketer. Considered one of the most important players in all three formats of the game, Stokes was honored with the ICC Award for Best Men's Cricketer in 2019. In 2019 and 2020, he was adjudged the Wisden Leading Cricketer in the World. Ben Stokes is currently serving as the captain of the England Test team.
Rob Hall was a New Zealand mountaineer and the head guide of a Mount Everest expedition in 1996, during which he died along with two clients and a fellow guide. The ill-fated expedition was dramatized in the film Everest where Rob Hall was played by actor Jason Clarke.
Richard Hadlee is a New Zealand retired cricket player who is considered as one of the greatest all-rounders of all time; he is especially renowned for his ability as a fine fast bowler. In 2002, he was named the second-greatest Test bowler in cricket history by Wisden. In 2009, Hadlee was inducted into the ICC Cricket Hall of Fame.
Hayley Westenra is a New Zealand singer and songwriter best known for her album Pure which became one of New Zealand's fastest selling albums of all time. The album, which sold over two million copies worldwide, peaked at number one on the UK classical charts. Hayley Westenra is also a well-known philanthropist; she contributes to charities around the world.
Ngaio Marsh was a New Zealand theatre director and crime writer. Counted among the Queens of Crime alongside other crime writers like Agatha Christie, Marsh is best remembered for her famous character, Roderick Alleyn. She received several prestigious awards and was made an inductee of the Detection Club in 1974. The Ngaio Marsh Award is presented annually in her memory.
Bic Runga is a New Zealand multi-instrumentalist and singer-songwriter. An exponent of pop music, Runga is best known for her song Sway, which achieved immense popularity in the United Kingdom, Australia, and Ireland. The recipient of many New Zealand Music Awards, Bic Runga was made an inductee of the New Zealand Music Hall of Fame in 2016.
Arguably the most successful captain of the New Zealand cricket team, Stephen Fleming has also been one of the country’s best batsmen. He also became the first from his country to appear in over 100 Test matches. He later turned to coaching and also contributed to setting up the digital sports platform CricHQ.
Once one of the best footballers of New Zealand, Ryan Nelsen mostly played as a defender. He has captained the Blackburn Rovers and the New Zealand national team. Considered one of Major League Soccer’s best players, he has also coached Toronto FC in the past.
Len Lye was a New Zealand artist best remembered for his kinetic sculptures and experimental films. His films are preserved at the New Zealand Film Archive, New York City's Museum of Modern Art, and British Film Institute. His sculptures are also preserved by the Whitney Museum of American Art, the Berkeley Art Museum, and the Art Institute of Chicago.
Tim Kano is a New Zealand actor who achieved immense popularity in 2016 when he started playing Leo Tanaka in the popular Australian television soap opera, Neighbours. Kano appeared as Tanaka in 476 episodes, which made him a household name in New Zealand and Australia.
Andrea Hewitt is a New Zealand triathlete best known for winning the bronze medals at the 2006 and 2018 Commonwealth Games. She also took part in the 2008, 2012, and 2016 Olympics, representing New Zealand.
New Zealand author Keri Hulme is best known for her Booker Prize-winning debut novel The Bone People. She has also used the pseudonym Kai Tainui to write books and has mostly dealt with themes related to the culture of Maori people. The Maori author initially worked as a tobacco picker.
Boh Runga is a New Zealand singer-songwriter and guitarist. She is best known for her association with the popular rock band Stellar where she performed as a guitarist and lead singer. Boh Runga is also known for her philanthropic efforts; in 2014, she contributed to a charity single titled Song for Everyone.
Paul Briggs is an Australian retired boxer best known for his achievements in the light heavyweight division. Interestingly, Briggs is also known for his fight against Danny Green where he was knocked out by Green in just 30 seconds into the first round. Paul Briggs has also penned down an autobiography titled Heart, Soul, Fire: The Journey of Paul Briggs.
