Bay women funnier than men: Survey

Single Hawke's Bay women are funnier than their male counterparts, according to a study by internet dating site Elite Singles.

Hawke's Bay was one of seven regions where the fairer sex agreed strongly with the statement: I can often make others laugh.

Napier was the region's place with the greatest ratio of both sexes confident of their ability to make others laugh.

Napier mayor Bill Dalton said that was because Napier people were smarter.

"You have to be intelligent to appreciate good humour and that is why Napier people are known as being humorous," he said.

He was Napier's most eligible bachelor "a bloody long time ago" and said music and humour were the most important things in life.

Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule took time out from a deferred honeymoon with Napier wife Kerryn Jones to answer a texted question.

"Humour is a wonderful quality - often we take ourselves too seriously," he said.

In the Wellington region the funniest people were in Raumati Beach and in Manawatu-Wanganui the wittiest wags were in Palmerston North.

Elite Singles psychologist Salama Marine said people were fascinated by funny singles "because humour can bring us closer to one another".

"Laughing together is probably the best sign of a healthy relationship for a couple," she said.

"Humour and self-mockery definitely help to forge happy memories and the ability to make each other giggle with just a glance creates a strong friendship between two people."