Conversations with their peers confirmed what the Package founders suspected - purchasing contraceptives in person is awkward.

Three teenagers are hoping to combat the "embarrassment" involved in buying condoms from a store.

Auckland 18-year-olds Jamie Martin, Harry Copeland and Isaac Mercer have set up an online business that delivers the contraceptives right to people's doors.

Called Package, it was sparked by conversations that highlighted young people's reluctance to buy condoms in person.

"We started talking to a few people about if they'd had any difficulties or embarrassment trying to buy condoms and almost everyone we spoke to said 'I hate it, it's embarrassing'," Martin, the company's operations director, said.

READ MORE:

* Reusable condoms, home-made mascara and the art of refusing freebies

* Doctors to ration condoms after global condom shortage

* Busting the myths: Condoms no barrier to pleasure

"You've got to deal with the clerk, it's not a fun experience."

Supplied Isaac Mercer, Jamie Martin and Harry Copeland, all aged 18, plan to launch their business in a few weeks.

University of Auckland School of Nursing associate professor Terryann Clark said condom use was an area where there had been little improvement.

In 2001, 48.8 per cent of sexually active secondary school students used a condom but that number dropped to 45.5 per cent in 2012.

An updated survey was expected later this year but Clark said she'd be "surprised" if there had been an increase in condom use.

"There are lots of reasons that people don't use condoms, but there still seems to be much shame, embarrassment and judgement when people try to get condoms from shops and health providers," Clark said.

"This is especially so for young people."

Subscribers to Package could choose how many condoms turned up each month based on which package they selected.

There was also an option to gift a condom delivery, with an optional note included.

"People like getting cool stuff in the mail, even if it isn't necessarily something they'll use," Martin said.

"It might just be a joke [for some of our subscribers], or something like that."

Package would launch in three weeks.

Information on STDs and the importance of consent would also be included in each parcel, Martin said.