Response to an AIDS Foundation online sex survey has set a new record for the largest ever survey in New Zealand of the sexual behaviour of men-who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) – with nearly 2,200 responses being received. For the first time, the New Zealand AIDS Foundation research unit and the University of Otago placed the Gay Online Sex Survey (GOSS) questionnaire on internet dating sites popular with MSM (including GayNZ.com's personals page) over a two-week period in February/March. "This response makes GOSS the largest ever New Zealand sample that explores the sexual behaviour of men-who-have-sex-with-men," says NZAF senior researcher Peter Saxton. "Prior to that, the biggest sample was the Foundation's Male Call/Waea Mai Tane Ma study in 1996." The nation-wide GOSS survey and its related biennial study, GAPSS (the Gay Auckland Periodic Sex Survey), are carried out by the Foundation in Association with researchers at the University of Otago. Combined with GAPSS 2006 – which was launched at the Big Gay Out in February and included gay bars, saunas and cruise clubs in Auckland over a one-week period – Foundation researchers and their University of Otago colleagues are now faced with analysing a total of 3443 responses. "The research team is extremely appreciative of the time spared by so many men who took part and had their say," Saxton says. "We asked personal, frank questions about sexual partnering, sexual practices, safe sex, attitudes, knowledge about HIV and much more. To get this response is fantastic. In return we'll ensure that the information is carefully and sensitively analysed and made available to as many people as possible who can discuss it and put it to good, practical use." Information from previous GAPSS surveys has helped the AIDS Foundation target HIV prevention programmes. Saxton says the research team would also like to highlight the "tireless and enthusiastic work" of the GAPSS recruitment team in Auckland who each, on average, individually encouraged 77 homosexually-active men to take part in the survey in all sorts of circumstances. "Those who took part in the survey can see how their experiences compare with other men when the full summary report is released in December on the NZAF website," Saxton says, "though some key results will be released earlier, as they become available."