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A recent survey found vegans prefer partners who steer clear of meat or any animal products, vastly cutting the number of potential dates.
A University of Canterbury "Cruelty-Free Consumption in New Zealand" survey labelled people who choose not to be sexually intimate with non-vegans as "vegansexuals".
One vegansexual in the survey said: "I would not want to be intimate with someone whose body is literally made up from the bodies of others who have died for their sustenance. Non-vegetarian bodies smell different to me - they are, after all, sustained through carcasses - the murdered flesh of others."
The Northern Advocate scoured Northland for vegans and found a Kaitaia woman who was indeed struggling to find love.
"Apart from veganism I do have very high standards, but being a vegan has a lot to do with why I'm single," she said.
The divorced woman said she was being pursued by a meat-eating admirer but wasn't keen - especially as he once threatened to eat her pet pig.
"I know it's quite rare for vegans to date meat-eaters because being a vegan is about having a strong set of principles. I personally wouldn't want to get physical or make love with someone that had hurt or had a part in hurting an animal," she said.
"I cannot bear the thought of pain being inflicted on animals that have emotions."
Vegans are stricter than the average vegetarian, choosing not to consume, use or wear any products made of animals or containing animal byproducts. Banned products include eggs, milk, leather shoes, furs and even honey.
Safe animal welfare campaigner Hans Kriek is happily married to fellow vegan Nichola.
"When choosing a partner you tend to choose someone with the same set of values as you and being a vegan is a clear life choice. If you're a committed vegan it would be pretty hard to feel comfortable and adapt to living with a meat-eater," he said.
But Edward van Son, who lives at a vegan retreat in Victoria Valley, south of Kaitaia, said he had never had trouble finding love. Mr van Son said the girls who moved in his social circles tended not to be the types who ate only burgers.
"I find people who are into health, are creative and artistic, usually take an interest in healthy eating."
He also offered another reason for preferring vegans: "They definitely taste a lot better."
- NORTHERN ADVOCATE
