Northland doctor runner-up of most trusted, survey finds

Dr Lance O'Sullivan is now second most trusted person in the country Photo/Peter de Graaf

Who do you trust?

When it comes to New Zealanders in general, it seems that the two people they trust most have very strong Northland links.

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 Lance O'Sullivan, reigning New Zealander of the Year, came 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.

SAS hero Willie Apiata spent his early years in the North and his father is Ngapuhi.

Dr O'Sullivan said he was honoured and humbled to be named among the most trusted people and it meant people felt they could trust him to act in their best interests.

"It's a bit of a shock really, and a bit frightening really (to be receiving so many public accolades). They don't stop coming and after so many highs I hope there's not a big drop on the other side," he joked when contacted yesterday

"Sometimes I think 'why me'."

The popular doctor said he did his work to help people, not to earn awards, but it was always nice to be recognised for the work you do.

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.

However, at the other end of the most trusted scale Te Tai Tokerau MP Hone Harawira came last at number 100 and Kim Dotcom - who Mr Harawira has partnered with to form the Internet Mana Party, came in at number 99.

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 - who once served in Northland - (79) and Greenpeace executive director Bunny McDiarmid (94).

Meanwhile firefighters topped the professions list, again, while teachers came in at 1.1

Politicians rocketed one place from last year, all the way up to 47th equal (with prostitutes), a long way behind journalists (43), who came in ahead of real estate agents (44) and those who sell cars (46). Right at the bottom, 49th equal, were those who sell door to door and telemarketers.

Who is your most trusted Northlander and why? Send us your feedback comments to reporters@northernadvocate.co.nz