Men all over Aotearoa are wishing they heard these three special words from their mates more often: 'I love you'. We know it ain't always easy sharing your emotions, but that's a pretty hectic stat.
Speights asked over 500 Kiwi bros, dudes and lads aged 18 - 60 what their attitudes towards saying âI love youâ to their mates are. 57% of dudes in Aotearoa wished their mates would say âI love youâ more often. Wow, ainât that one of the most beautiful yet sad statistics youâve ever seen?
Keeping the bittersweet numbers going, 33% of blokes in NZ feel happier when they are told they are loved. Also, North Islanders were more than twice as likely (17%) than South Islanders (7.5%) to have said âI love youâ to a friend in the past 24 hours.
On a sad note, 27% of men have never said the three words, or canât remember if they have.
Itâs the younger generation that is doing the heavy lifting. Nearly 70% of guys under 35 said theyâd told a mate they love them in the past six months, compared to just 25% of men over 50 years old.
Although fellas may not vocalise their feelings towards their mates, 98% of those surveyed said they express their love in other ways. A good olâ classic slap on the back or a hug are utilised by many Kiwi men, while 66% say they give gifts to spread the love.
Jona Nareki, a Highlanders player (a team who have long been sponsored by Speights), said the whole squad have made a concerted effort to show they care for each other.
âAs a team, weâve really made an effort this season to have more meaningful conversations and to show the love for each other - itâs a core part of our culture,â he said.
Speights want every Kiwi dude out there to tell a mate they love them this June, so go brother, make your mateâs day.