Online Dating Peaks for Valentine’s Day

Online Dating Peaks for Valentine’s Day

New Zealand's single Kiwis have been in an online dating frenzy over the past week, with website FindSomeone predicting today will be the busiest Valentine's Day in its history.

Rick Davies, manager of FindSomeone, said the online dating website founded in 2001 is experiencing its "highest ever" level of activity this week.

"Yesterday was completely off the hook with more people signing in on one day than we've ever seen before. Messaging is also up 30 per cent on last year, and there's been a 16 per cent increase in the number of new members signing up too."

Mr Davies said the frenzy of Kiwi online dating activity was expected to continue today. "Valentine's Day 2012 is going to be the busiest Valentine's Day we've ever seen in our 11 years of operation," he said. "It's a clear indication that the social stigma associated with online dating has well and truly vanished in New Zealand."

He said people aged between 18 and 35 were driving online dating activity to record levels. "It seems online dating has become cool in New Zealand. Young people are catching on to the fact that it's a fun and effective way to meet Kiwi singles - something the older generation has known for years."

Traditionally, New Year's Eve and Valentine's Day are the loneliest times of year for Kiwi singles, with online dating activity spiking at these times of the year.

Mr Davies said New Year's Eve loneliness had the biggest impact on young daters, but those aged over 55 were more likely to feel the pangs of loneliness around Valentine's Day. "We've seen the number of older people joining the site leap by 50 per cent on last year - they are clearly motivated by the traditional Valentine's Day focus on romance."

ENDS

About FindSomeone
FindSomeone (findsomeone.co.nz) is Trade Me's online dating website for people serious about finding someone special. It has more than 350,000 registered members.

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