One of the less surprising results of this year's Reader's Digest list of most trusted professions was that doctors ranked highly once again. They came in sixth, behind firefighters, paramedics, rescue volunteers, nurses and pilots. But one doctor outshone them all.
Kaitaia GP Dr Lance O'Sullivan, reigning New Zealander of the Year, placed second on the list of most trusted individuals, behind only former corporal Willie Apiata VC (who topped the list three years in a row from 2008 to 2010), ahead of Richie McCaw, Judy Bailey, Sir John Kirwan, Kevin Milne, Valerie Adams, Jim Hickey, Alison Holst and Peter Snell.
Reader's Digest said this the 10th annual survey of New Zealand's most trusted people had underlined the fact that trust was something to be earned through accomplishment and caring, and that New Zealanders would faithfully support those they believed in. Dr O'Sullivan qualified by virtue of the work he had done and was doing to make health services available to children who might otherwise have difficulty getting the help they need.
At the bottom of the list were Kim Dotcom and Hone Harawira, while Prime Minister John Key ranked 86th. And for all his travails, embattled cricket legend Chris Cairns still has friends. He came in at 65, well behind the Mad Butcher (11) but better than Police Commissioner Mike Bush (79) and Greenpeace executive director Bunny McDiarmid (94).
Meanwhile firefighters topped the professions list, again, while teachers came in at 11, hairdressers 20, bus and train drivers 26.
