Where the bloody hell are ya? Having fun in bed...

We knew the weather was sunnier and the pay better in Australia - now it seems the sex is better too.

Only 52 per cent of New Zealanders achieve orgasm almost every time they have sex, compared to 58 per cent of Australians, according to the Durex Sexual Wellbeing Survey.

Durex says Italians, Spanish, Mexicans and South Africans are the most satisfied with 66 per cent reporting they usually climax. Up to 65 per cent of Brazilians say they usually orgasm each time they have sex.

China and Hong Kong report the lowest frequency of orgasm (both 24 per cent), with the Japanese (27 per cent) also low on the orgasm scale.

The survey also found people who climaxed more frequently were more likely to feel better about themselves and were more happy with the emotional aspects of their sex life.

Those who regularly have orgasms say their relationship with their partner is strong.

Eighty per cent who frequently orgasm feel close to their partner during sex – a figure that falls to 54 per cent for those who have difficulty achieving orgasm.

Other findings of the survey include:

- Massage can be effective – 72 per cent of New Zealanders who achieve regular orgasms use sensual massage compared with 65 per cent of those who don't climax regularly.

- Sex toys such as vibrators  enhance the quality of orgasms for women - those using them are more likely to report being fully satisfied with the intensity of their orgasm.

- Those New Zealanders who are fully satisfied with the intensity of their orgasm spend on average 2.7 more minutes on foreplay than those who aren't.

- Spending more time alone with your partner can improve your sex life. Fourty eight per cent of those who orgasm regularly would like more protected time with their loved one.

International sexual health expert, Dr Kevan Wylie, said: "While orgasms aren’t the be all and end all of sex, regularly achieving orgasms that we are happy with improves our emotional and overall wellbeing, as well as our bond with our partner. It can also help to reduce life's stresses and, ideally, people should try to have them regularly."

The research was conducted among 26,000 people in 26 countries, who were questioned on key aspects of their sex lives: health, general wellbeing, education, beliefs, sex and relationships, attitudes to sex and social circumstances.

- © Fairfax NZ News