The top spots in the 2009 Reader's Digest New Zealand's Most Trusted survey were taken by Victoria Cross recipient Willie Apiata, and Olympic medallists Caroline and Georgina Evers-Swindell, Barbara Kendall and Peter Snell.
Further down the list, at numbers 10 and 13 respectively, were more Olympic medallists in Valerie Vili and Hamish Carter, while former squash world champion Dame Susan Devoy was fifth.
The survey, in its ninth year, asked 500 adult New Zealanders to rank a list of 85 people in order of whom they trusted most.
Social researcher Jill Caldwell said this year's results showed how New Zealanders valued international recognition.
"Four out of the top five are either gold medallists or world champions. And Willie Apiata has the gold medal for bravery with his Victoria Cross," she said.
"We trust these people because they're hard working and determined and, most importantly, they're humble."
Former All Black and mental health spokesman John Kirwan placed seventh.
The list, which was completed before the David Bain trial, put Bain supporter and former All Black Joe Karam 48th, while Bain himself was number 70.
The All Blacks and Wallabies coaches fared evenly, with Graham Henry just ahead of Robbie Deans at 42 and 43 respectively.
Prime Minister John Key climbed 15 places from 2008 to 53, to sit just behind former Prime Minister Helen Clark, up 14 places from 2008 at 52. Labour leader Phil Goff was 73rd.
The most trusted politician was Invercargill mayor Tim Shadbolt at 46, while Sue Bradford, Sir Roger Douglas and Winston Peters all came in near the tail end in places 81, 82 and 83. Activist Titewhai Harawira was 84th, while Blue Chip founder Mark Bryers rounded off the list in last place.
