Reader’s Digest magazine has been producing annual ‘Most Trusted’ lists for several years and New Zealanders that tend to sit at both the top, and the bottom, are usually those that have had some form of high profile during the year or are very well known – often entertainers, politicians and TV and sporting celebrities.

This year, however, it’s different, with scientist and inventor Sir Ray Avery topping the list. Following him in second and third places are Chief Science Advisor to the Prime Minister, Sir Peter Gluckman and physicist Sir Paul Callaghan. So how come scientists have become the most trusted people in New Zealand? And, without wishing to offend any of them – who are they anyway?

It seems the reason these three topped the list this year is down to a change in the methodology used in questioning respondents. According to an article in the New Zealand Herald, a new research company – McCrindle Research – who took on the task this year: Read the rest of this entry »