The middle-distance runner, who won the gold medal in the 800 metres at the 1960 Olympics in Rome in 1960 and the 800m and 1500m in Rome four years later, polled three per cent to finish ahead of such international names as singer Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lords of the Rings director Peter Jackson and the country's Prime Minister John Key.

The poll, carried out earlier this month, surveyed 500 people, and the respondents overwhelmingly signalled achievement over other factors such as what their chosen hero stood for, when they voted.

Sir Peter finished narrowly behind Colin Meads, a former captain of the All Blacks who in 1999 was chosen as New Zealand's greatest rugby player of the 20th century.

The winner was former Prime Minister Helen Clark, who earned nine per cent of the votes.

But the person actually chosen as the greatest "living" New Zealander was Sir Edmund Hilary, who actually died in January 2008.

He scored 15 per cent of the vote.

Emanuel Kalafatelis, the director of Research New Zealand, who conducted the poll, said: "Sir Edmund conquered Everest in 1953 and so many of us either remember the historic day or grew up with tales of his amazing achievements and the good work he did for the Nepalese people.

"To find a new hero to match his legendary status is tough.

"Kiwis who receive international recognition impress us and her recent appointment to the number three position in the United Nations has made us proud.

"We love a Kiwi who does well overseas."


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