Lynley Ward

While Abbas is lucky to be alive, the pain is already a constant reminder of the attack.

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

Former Weekly contributor Ann Gluckman is proud of the legacy her new book leaves for future generations of Auckland's Jewish community.

''She’s growing into someone who knows herself and has security in the people around her,'' Pēpi's proud papa beams.

Losing his young daughter Halayna Wagstaff and her unborn child to violence has ripped Darren's family apart.

Even though her son Harley was surrounded by capable swimmers, Makaila says this wasn't enough to stop her boy disappearing under the water, almost becoming another victim of this year's tragic Christmas holiday drowning toll.

As life hung in the balance, young driver Ellie Barron stepped up.

A year has passed since the blaze rampaged across the Nelson-Tasman region, but its impact is still keenly felt by those whose lives were upended.

For Tony and his tightknit community, years of anguish have followed as they desperately sought to retrieve their loved ones from the mine.

"A few weeks after the exhibition opened, no-one came forward to say they had the work and I began to worry that April may never be found," she says.

This adorable photo of Prince Harry and baby Archie led to a flood of orders for the woolly accessory. And best of all, it's for a fantastic cause.

A star in the black jersey, Stacey looks gorgeous in all white – and groom Ricky agrees. ''My mouth just dropped,'' he says.

''He's very kind, loving and compassionate. Everything I hoped for him when he was a baby, he's become," says proud mum Vanessa Edwards of her boy Tuatahi.

''Lionel was my inspiration. I had the perfect gold, glittery dress that I wanted to wear and even though I couldn’t do it up when I bought it, I said, 'I’m going to get into that dress for Lionel.'''

Heartbreakingly, at 11 months, Mina was too young to be vaccinated and within days of coming down with a fever, she succumbed to one of the most contagious diseases on the planet.

''I've always loved it and I'll probably never stop showing my dogs,'' says Amy Bray.

Recovering in hospital from shoulder surgery, the cricket commentator never expected to meet the love of his life. But fate has a way of intervening when you least expect it.

It's been 15 years since the tragic loss of their beloved daughter Natasha Hayden, but to Lynette and Brian Brown, it remains as raw as that dreadful summer’s afternoon.

Greg is one of the first men in NZ to have regular mammograms to check for any signs of cancer in his remaining breast.

As Al Noor mosque shooting survivor Abbas Tahir fought for his life, Jill Keats stayed by his side and tended to him in his greatest hour of need - forging a lifelong friendship.

First-time mum Samantha Howard is struggling to come to terms with what happened to her. ''It felt like I was being butchered.''

The two strangers who met at the altar are still blissfully loved up.

The women striking the right note with their community.

Kirsten Warner's novel was an 18-year labour of love, then she missed its night of glory.

As their newborn daughter lay in hospital, Khusbu Vora lost her soulmate in the Al Noor Mosque terror attack.

Even though they've hit retirement age, Heather, Stephanie and Adrienne are still on the job as demand for their specialist nursing skyrockets.

Mum Kendall says thanks to the aid from their "village" of helpers, she's managing to make it through. So it was only fitting that the village got a chance to celebrate.

Tyler Veint's courageous actions were recognised at a school assembly with a Super Saver Bravery Award, complete with heroic golden cape and certificate.

“We just had to figure out how we were going to make it work.”

Lucy Sharp and her best friend Mandy Niven are using funny footwear to spread cheer to cancer patients.

''I would like to set the record straight now,'' says Jo Patti.

With the mum-and-son team making airline history, the pair share a passion for flying that spans generations.

Jo Waugh is making her mark on a Kiwi tradition.

At 68, the singer has a lot going on!

Thanks to an imaginary gastric band that was "fitted" around her stomach, Cathy Cowin's life was transformed with only one session.

With the help of a special hearing aid, Liwen is able to embrace her love of music.

Portia France credits her twin babies for pulling her through a harrowing cancer scare. Deservedly so, she's won the title of Woman's Day and Vivo's Most inspiring mum.

''Being a grandparent is a great blessing and I love it! But it's also a big responsibility''

"I guess it's young to have a baby at 23, but I've wanted to have children my whole life," tells Scout Barbour-Evans, who was a girl before coming out as non-binary aged 18.

''A few have suggested we bury her, but at the moment what we see for the future is pretty much what we do now, taking her everywhere with us.''

Judie plunged in to the sea, only to find herself joined part way through by three large creatures of the deep.

It was the hug that touched the world.

It's been a difficult few months for the Timaru family. But now that they're into a routine, life with five children under four isn't as hectic as mum Kendall feared.

Both love stories blossomed in South Auckland's dance halls during the late 1940s.

The Kiwi style icon receives an order of merit for her work.

Her Majesty is all right with the knight.

''To this day, I still have the same terrible feeling of being shut in. My bedroom and lounge door are never shut tight.''

The lucky athlete is soaring through her recovery.

Lee-Anne Murray has never spoken publicly before about the traumatic toll her schoolfriend's death took on her life. But now she's making an appeal for fresh information to try and solve one of the country's most notorious murder-mysteries.

Her upbeat nature and melodic voice has won the petite Cantabrian many fans, with hundreds turning out to store openings just to glimpse her.

"I was in utter shock," says mum Kendall of the moment they found out their compact family of three would suddenly swell by an additional four children at once.

''Modelling has helped my confidence so much for singing... I felt self-conscious... being a bigger person. But now I'm like, 'I'm awesome as I am.'''

''We used to go up to the castle and have an audience with her, and the corgis would be pushing up against our legs!''

''If it wasn’t for my cervical smear, I would be dead or definitely wouldn’t have my children. This cancer isn’t just an older women’s disease.''

The children's author disappears into her workshop for hours at a time.

Kurt’s always had a beautiful outlook on life and it’s important that he passes that on to Sage.

'I said, ‘No, I’m not applying!’ They said, ‘If you don’t enter this, we’re going to put you in Married at First Sight. You’ve got a choice.'

The gutsy pair are fighting a new battle together.

'So many people are aware of the wish for a law change. So many more people are talking about what they want for themselves.'

'It's exciting and slightly terrifying all at once.'

'You need to build a tribe.'

Born eight weeks premature, twin Louie thrived, but little Phoebe struggled from the start.

“I’d look outside and see a wave right up against the window. It was so scary, I was planning my funeral in my head!”

Between them Alice, Lisa and Sharon have shed 50kg, dropped up to six dress sizes and are now in the best shape of their lives.

Tania-Rose Turner-Graham and her father Michael Graham were missing at sea for a terrifying two days after a fishing trip off Great Barrier Island went horribly wrong. Here, she speaks for the first time.

It has been 10 years since six students and a teacher from Auckand’s Elim Christian College drowned trying to escape a swollen torrent. The parents of one of the students look back on the tragedy.

'If it wasn't for their app I could well have been in a far worse situation and his kids might not have their mother.'

After a decade of crises, including false accusations of fraud, Liza still returns to NZ to recharge and find balance.

'I was clutching Sarah and we were drifting in the harbour. Everything got very quiet and there was an incredibly still moment as the ship finished falling over.'

At just 17 years old and only his second week working on the Wahine, Toby found himself in charge of a raft packed with survivors fleeing the stricken ferry.

It was a day of true horror, but one that started off like any other...

Simon reveals the surprising story behind his whirlwind courtship with his wife and jokes that sometimes home life is so full on, he goes to Parliament for a break!

It's been a whirlwind few months for the new National Party leader, but he wouldn't have it any other way.