Did you have Palmerston North becoming the sex toy capital of New Zealand on your bingo card for 2022? 

The Manawatū city has romped home to top this year’s list of regions buying up the most sex toys, according to online retailer, Adulttoymegastore.

While the biggest buyers of sex toys last year were Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, and Hamilton, many of Aotearoa’s biggest centres are nowhere to be seen in this year’s list, with 2021 “champions” Auckland dropping right out of the top 10.

Adulttoymegastore says smaller urban centres made up the bulk of sex toy shoppers in 2022, including Whangārei, Invercargill, Hastings, and Nelson. 

The company says small towns in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, including Foxton and Bulls, were big fans of anal toys, as well as the vibrator and dildo categories.

According to sales data, New Zealand’s sex toy purchases overall were quite varied in 2022. 

Some items featured on the top-sellers list for the first time, including a penis masturbator egg, a rechargeable bullet vibrator, and a handcuff set.

But Adulttoymegastore says its most popular sex toy was still the Satisfyer Pro 2 Next Generation, which came first for the fourth year in a row.

Adulttoymegastore owner and operator Nicola Relph says she’s pleased to see Aotearoa trying something new in the bedroom. 

“We commend New Zealanders from all over the country for a big year of sexual experimentation and utilising the tools available to them to help take care of their sexual wellbeing,” she says.

“We really saw the rise of physical and mental wellbeing over the last decade, and we’re excited to usher in a new focus on sexual wellbeing.

“It’s fantastic to see Kiwis from all over the country experimenting and trying out new toys and sexual wellness products as they explore their own sexual wellbeing.”

The New Zealand regions that bought the most sex toys per capita in 2022:

1. Palmerston North
2. Wellington
3. Whangārei
4. Invercargill
5. Dunedin
6. Hastings
7. Nelson
8. Upper Hutt
9. Napier
10. New Plymouth 

New Zealand’s top 10 sex toys of 2022:  

1. Satisfyer Pro 2
2. Share Satisfaction Kama
3. Rechargeable Bullet Vibrator by Play
4. Share Satisfaction Masturbator Egg
5. Rocks Off Every Girl Rabbit Vibrator
6. Classic Silicone Butt Plug
7. Share Satisfaction Handcuffs
8. Share Satisfaction Sutra
9. Wraparound Mattress Restraints
10. Satisfyer Vibrating Cock Ring 

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