Tinder puts spark in love life of 360,000 Kiwis

Darrin Potter from Te Aroha has been using Tinder for a year. Photo / Christine Cornege

Dating app Tinder has become so popular in New Zealand, the Los Angeles-based office says 8 per cent of the population is looking for love on it.

The app, which connects to a person's Facebook profile and uses a GPS location to find potential matches close by, has 360,000 Kiwis logging in and "hooking up", the company told the Herald.

Tinder communications vice-president Rosette Pambakian said Tinder was not just a dating website, but a social networking opportunity, whether it be for business, friendship or a relationship.

"Whatever comes out of it is up to you. Whether you're using it for business networking, a short-term or long-term relationship or to meet the love of your life, we don't ask you what you're looking for."

Waikato man Darrin Potter has been perusing possible matches on Tinder for the past year.

At the prompting of a friend, the 22-year-old mechanic uploaded a profile and began looking for love.

He's already managed one three-month relationship out of Tinder, with a young Rotorua woman, but it didn't work out.

"If you're at home sitting around doing nothing, you find yourself on Tinder. If you're single or you're looking to mingle, if you will, why not get involved?"

And when his relationship ended he thought, "Oh well, there's no point dwelling on it', so I got back on Tinder."

Globally, Tinder users are making more than one billion profile ratings each day, resulting in 12 million matches every 24 hours.

But it hasn't been without its controversies.

In February, Kiwi snowboarder Rebecca Torr caused a stir at the Winter Olympics after revealing she was keen to find a love match via Tinder at the Sochi Games.

And Lower Hutt woman Warriena Wright met Gable Tostee through Tinder while holidaying on the Gold Coast in August. She fell from his 14th floor apartment to her death, and he was charged with murder.

Ms Pambakian would not comment on Ms Wright's death other than to say it was "very unfortunate and sad".

NetSafe executive director Martin Cocker said Tinder users should be wary and heed the same advice given for any online dating tool. This includes taking safety precautions when meeting for the first time, such as being in a public place or going with a friend.

Online dating had now become an acceptable way to meet people, Mr Cocker said. The same could not be said for Tinder.

"The apps that are less about relationships and more about sexual connections still have a bit of a negative reputation and Tinder is perceived to be in that space."