OPINION: A cricketer and a racecar driver receive honourable mentions from the Newshub Sports team, alongside New Zealand's best athlete of 2019.
ISRAEL ADESANYA
Easy.
His case would be compelling any year, given he became a UFC world champion with that incredible victory over Robert Whittaker.
But on a year where the only other candidates would be Scott McLaughlin or, at a stretch, Kane Williamson, his achievement on such a massive stage comfortably trumps all other contenders.
Kristina Eddy, Newshub sports reporter/producer
ISRAEL ADESANYA
The UFC star's rise to the top of the middleweight division was completed in October, when he knocked out Robert Whittaker to claim the middleweight title and become the promotion's first Kiwi world champion .
He continues to walk the talk in the Octogan, where his record stands undefeated at 18-0, and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon, heading into 2020.
Stephen Foote, Newshub online sports producer
KANE WILLIAMSON
The Blackcaps cricket skipper is undoubtedly a great batsman - statistically the best New Zealand has produced and alongside the best currently playing the game internationally.
He's scored more test centuries than any other Kiwi before him - currently 21 - at an average of better than 50 runs per innings.
No-one has a bad word to say about the man known as 'Steady the Ship', but his captaincy skills were certainly put under stern examination during 2019, particularly during an ultimately heartbreaking World Cup campaign.
His grace in the face of a countback defeat to England in the final won him even more fans around the world, earning Player of the Tournament and Captain of the Tournament honours.
His strategies are often second-guessed, but his instincts have usually proved correct
While some master batsmen struggle under the added weight of leadership - yes you, Joe Root - Williamson seems to thrive under that responsibility.
And long may he continue.
Grant Chapman, Newshub online sports editor
ISRAEL ADESANYA
New Zealanders got to finally see what 'The Last Stylebender' has been telling us all along - he's the champ.
UFC might not be everybody's cup of tea, but when a guy like Adesanya brings his charisma and chat, and backs it up with huge performances, you can't help but love what he does.
John Day, Newshub sports reporter
SCOTT MCLAUGHLIN
There has never been a more dominant champion of Australia's Supercars series than the Kiwi.
18 wins, 16 pole positions, 18 fastest laps and 20 podiums to his name. Oh, and he won the Bathurst 1000 alongside teammate Alex Premet.
Forget about the controversy surrounding that Mount Panorama win - McLaughlin wins that race regardless of Fabian Coulthard's safety car tactics.
The charming New Zealander now has two titles to his name - one behind the legendary Peter Brock and series legend Craig Lowndes.
McLaughlin just pips UFC star Israel Adesanya for me.
Brad Lewis, Newshub sports online producer
