According to a survey done by the New Zealand Aids Foundation and Positive Women, almost half of New Zealanders don't like the idea of their children playing with other kids who have HIV.
It also found more than a third of Kiwis would be uncomfortable living with a flatmate who has HIV and almost 90 percent say they wouldn't want to have a sexual relationship with someone with the virus.
The NZAF said the figures were "disheartening".
"[People living with HIV] are often already internalising a lot of stigma around sex and relationships which can result in feeling isolated and like they aren't able to love," it said in a statement.
"So the percentage of Kiwi discomfort is heartbreaking to read."
It said it was highly unlikely HIV could be spread from one person to another by people playing or living together, as it can only be transmitted via unprotected sexual intercourse, sharing needles, breastfeeding or direct blood to blood contact.
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