Kiwis' trump card is cleavage leverage

Kiwis do it differently to these Australian models displaying varying levels of cleavage. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi women are not afraid to use their breasts to get what they want, according to a revealing new study.

The survey shows the further north you live, the more likely you are to flaunt cleavage to attract attention, with one in five North Island women admitting to deliberately plunging necklines to get their way.

In a survey of 500 New Zealanders, nightclubs, first dates and coming across ex-boyfriends were all deemed fair game for flaunting "va-va-voom" cleavage.

But if you were meeting your new partner's parents for the first time or heading into the office for your first day at work, then it was best to play it safe and opt for a natural look.

The nationwide study, which ran concurrently across the Tasman, also yielded a surprising twist in the modesty stakes.

Nearly 60 per cent of New Zealand women were comfortable boosting cleavage to attract attention whereas fewer than half Australian women surveyed shared such confidence.

The finding has stunned Sydney socialite and former New Zealand broadcaster Charlotte Dawson.

"It's incredibly surprising," she told the Herald on Sunday. "I would have said it was the polar opposite. Having lived in Auckland, I would have found New Zealand women far more conservative than Australians in using their breasts."

Dawson said she is a D-cup but "tended not to put my bootie out there as much these days".

The Pleasure State My Fit Cleavagely Correct survey found nightclubs the top spot for flaunting as much cleavage as possible. This was followed by first dates and crossing paths with an ex-partner. It was even considered appropriate to turn up to a wedding or work Christmas party with plenty of bust exposed.

However, when it came to work or family get-togethers, the survey showed less was more.

This included meeting future parents-in-law for the first time, interviews and starting a new job.

Psychologist and social commentator Sara Chatwin said the survey found some unexpected results.

"I was interested to see how cleavagely confident we Kiwi sisters are."

Chatwin, who was born in Australia but raised in New Zealand, said a woman's looks often affected how she felt. If she was comfortable and in control, she would feel confident in any situation, Chatwin said.

The survey of 500 men and women in New Zealand and 1000 in Australia was commissioned by Bendon in conjunction with the release of a range of cleavage-enhancing bras.