Kiwis Are Keen Lovers Of Unsafe Sex

8 November 2005

New Zealand second highest in world for one-night stands New Zealanders have sex 114 times a year - ahead of global average & Australia Kiwis fourth highest in world for unsafe sex & third highest in world for number of sexual partners Queenstown voted New Zealand's sexiest city for the third time Daniel Carter voted our sexiest man & Nicky Watson our sexiest woman and yes?two-thirds of Kiwi women have faked the big 'O'

Results from the 2005 Durex Global Sex Survey, released today, reinforce the fact Kiwis are an active bunch when it comes to sex, but we're still putting our health at risk by having unsafe sex.

Kiwis rank fourth in the world for having unsafe sex, with 65% of Kiwis admitting to having had unprotected sex with a partner without knowing their sexual history. This result is almost 20% higher than the global average (47%), and only Norway (73%), Greece (70%) and Sweden (66%) are ahead of New Zealand. Our Australian neighbours are not far behind on 61%, with the lowest risk-takers being India (21%).

More Sexual WOFs required: Dr Gill Greer, Executive Director, Family Planning Association, says the message to New Zealanders is simple: don't have sex without a condom unless you know your partner has a 'Sexual Warrant of Fitness.'

"Sex happens, and it's quite obvious from the Durex Global Sex Survey that New Zealanders are having a lot of it - especially casual sex. We just need to make sure people are safe, and the only way to be absolutely sure is by using a condom until both partners have talked about their sexual health, and been tested and cleared for HIV/AIDs or any STI," says Dr Greer.

In this country it is women who are the high risk-takers with two thirds (66%) of Kiwi women admitting to having had unsafe sex compared to only 45% of their global counterparts. Furthermore, while globally more men than women admitted to having had unsafe sex, it is a different story in New Zealand. Up to 55% of Kiwi women aged 16-20 years said they've had unsafe sex compared to 43% of their male counterparts.

Dr Greer says she is also concerned by the number of Kiwi women having unsafe sex: "The results from this survey should be a wake up call for Kiwi women that they need to start taking responsibility for themselves and their sexual health."

"I think some New Zealanders may be shocked by these findings, but we need to realise that this is reality and unfortunately, these attitudes aren't going to change overnight. In the meantime, we must continue to encourage safer sex practices which always involve using a condom when having sex, and using it correctly."

Globally, New Zealanders have the third highest number of sexual partners with 13.2, behind Turkey (14.5) and Australia (13.3). The survey also found Kiwi women are more sexually active than their male counterparts, with 18% claiming they've slept with between 11 and 20 people. 15% of men claim they've slept with the same amount of partners.

More infections: >From these results it is hardly surprising that 18% of Kiwis admitted to having contracted a sexually transmitted infection (STI) ? higher than the global average of 13% - and 11% of Kiwi women under 18 years said they'd had an unplanned pregnancy.

Despite an obvious care-free approach to casual sex, 64% of Kiwis stated that there should be greater public awareness of Chlamydia. This result is significantly higher than the global average (34%), and no doubt a reflection of the rising rates of Chlamydia in New Zealand. Hepatitis is also a concern for 43% of Kiwis, and 52% of New Zealanders believe that there should be more information about HIV - the disease that topped the chart globally.

Dr Greer says she is not surprised to the see that New Zealanders are concerned about Chlamydia as we have one of the worst infection rates in the world.

"New Zealand rates for Chlamydia are four-six times higher than other OECD nations," says Dr Greer. "Chlamydia is a frightening STI as there are often no symptoms, but carries with it the risk of infertility and increases susceptibility to contracting AIDS/HIV. Chlamydia is often referred to as the 'corporate disease' as anyone having unsafe sex can contract it."

More sex: On average New Zealanders are having sex 114 times per year - ahead of the global average of 103 and the Australians who fall behind on 108. Most Kiwis have sex 3-4 times per week (22%) and 15% have sex at least twice a week.

There are also some Kiwis that just can't get enough with 3.4% of Kiwi men and 1.7% of women claiming that one day is too long to abstain from having sex. Unbelievably, 1.1% of all Kiwi respondents revealed they wanted sex at least once an hour. Kiwi men seem to get more frisky with age as 28% of 35-44 year olds claim that one week is too long to go without any action. Only 18% of women in the same age group agree, and the majority (22%) fall in to the one month category.

More faking: Durex NZ Manager, Victoria Potter, says that more than 317,000 people from 41 countries took part in this year's Durex Global Sex Survey, thought to be the world's largest study into sexual attitudes and behaviour.

"The results from this year's sex survey show that New Zealanders are definitely an active bunch, but quantity of sex for Kiwis does not necessarily equate to quality," says Ms Potter. "The survey found that only 49% of Kiwi respondents are happy with their sex lives, and more than two thirds of Kiwi women admitted to having faked an orgasm."

The survey also revealed that an unfortunate 6% of Kiwi respondents find their sex life monotonous.

Even though some Kiwis are finding the going tough in the bedroom, they're certainly trying their best to spice things up. Some 31% of Kiwis say they like experimenting with sex toys, so it's no surprise that New Zealand ranked above the global average for ownership of a vibrator (37%). Some audacious Kiwis said they'd invested in more exotic sex enhancers such as love balls (8%), and 10% admit to having purchased penis rings.

Kiwis are also not afraid to go out in public to buy these sexy toys - 64% are happy to go to sex shops to buy a vibrator and 32% of Kiwis are willing to purchase one at a sex party.

More one-night stands: Kiwis top the global charts for having one-night stands (64%), second in the world only to the Norwegians on 70%. Other sexual antics popular with Kiwis include threesomes which scored 26% of Kiwis' votes, and same sex action (20%).

The survey also proved that Antipodeans love sex alfresco with Australians (54%) just beating Kiwis (53%) to the top spot for having sex in a park. Other favourite sex spots include the garden where 43% of Kiwis have had sex - second only to South Africans on 46% - and well ahead of the global average of 22%. Only 3% of Kiwis have joined the mile high club which is surprising considering how much we love to travel, and 15% of Kiwis have been bold enough to have sex in front of a camera.

More for Daniel Carter: Daniel Carter has topped the sexiest male chart for the second year in a row with 35.7% of the Kiwi vote. The sexy All Black was followed by Jeremy "Newsboy'' Wells (11.3%) in second place, and fellow rugby star Carlos Spencer on 10.7%.

The battle for New Zealand's sexiest female was a closely fought contest this year but once again Nicky Watson was victorious and came out on top with 15.1% of the vote. Shortland Street's Anna Julienne (aka Nurse Maia Jefferies) was hot on her heels with 14% of the Kiwi vote and former True Bliss star Jo Cotton came third with 13% of the vote.

Queenstown has once again been voted the country's sexiest hot spot with 40.4% of the total vote ? both North Islanders and Mainlanders voted the town number one. Waiheke Island trailed behind in second place on 12.4%, pushing Christchurch into third with 10.9%.

Although Queenstown topped the list with all New Zealanders, only 38% of North Islanders voted for the city compared to 48.2% of Mainlanders. Christchurch was knocked down into seventh place by those in the North with only 5% of the votes compared to South Islanders who voted the Garden City second sexiest (29.6%).

All results from the 2005 Durex Global Sex Survey can be found at www.durex.com.

FURTHER FINDINGS FROM THE DUREX GLOBAL SEX SURVEY 2005

Kiwis on average lose their virginity at 16.4 years, younger than the global average of 17.3 years

40% of Kiwis, double the global average, believe our government should delve deep into its pocket and provide free contraception. The government investing in sex education also ranks highly amongst New Zealanders with 29%. Similar to the global average (32%), up to 36% of Kiwis believe providing free condoms is the most important way of raising awareness of safer sex

25% of Kiwi respondents believe developing countries need greater access to condoms - 2% above the global average. Almost a third of New Zealanders (31%) also agree that better sex education would be beneficial to developing countries

79% of Kiwis aged 35-44 believe young people should be encouraged to practise safer sex. However, young New Zealanders are more health conscious than their older counterparts with 29% of under 16s agreeing that young people should be encouraged to have regular health check-ups compared to only 12% of 35-44 year olds

Up to 91.4% of Kiwis have tried the missionary position, followed closely behind by woman-on-top (91.2%) and man-on-top (90.9%). Women seem to like being in control with 93.3% claiming to have had sex on top compared to 88.2% of male respondents having been the one on top. Some Kiwis are clearly bolder than others when it comes to trying different manoeuvres. 73.7% of all respondents claim to have had sex standing up and 67.4% have had sex with both partners sitting

71% of Kiwis use lubricants for pleasure during sex - 35% higher than the global average and a joint second with Canada. 38% of Kiwis also use lube to spice up their love-making and add variety to their sex lives

Kiwis like to be enterprising and assertive when it comes to sex. 31% of New Zealanders said they'd experimented with sex aids and 42% admitted to directing their partners during sex to increase sexual gratification

ENDS

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