New Zealand

Kirwan named most trusted Kiwi

13:15 pm on 21 June 2013

A recent poll reveals it takes military heroics or an All Blacks jersey to be considered among the most trustworthy people in New Zealand.

A Readers' Digest poll of 600 people asked voters to rank the trustworthiness of 100 public figures and 50 of the country's professions.

Sir John Kirwan - Blues rugby coach, former All Black and depression awareness spokesperson - was voted most trustworthy person, ahead of Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata and All Black captain Richie McCaw.

Food writer Alison Holst was fourth and former television newsreader Judy Bailey fifth.

Sports stars took up almost half of the top 20 spots. The exception was Sonny Bill Williams who, along with internet entrepreneur Kim Dotcom (98th) and a raft of politicians, rounded out the bottom of the list.

The response from Mana Party leader Hone Harawira to being voted the least trustworthy person is that people shouldn't enter politics to be popular.

Firefighters and paramedics came in equal first as the most trustworthy profession, while sex workers, telemarketers and car and door-to-door salespeople were voted least trustworthy.

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