New Zealand's accent being voted the most attractive in the world in an international survey shocked many Kiwis, but it's also left a lot of foreigners fuming.

Travel website 'Big 7 Media' polled more than 1.5 million people from 60 countries across the globe and found Kiwis had the sexiest accent.

Reports of the poll result surprised many Kiwis who admitted cringing when they hear it on television or in conversation.

"I'll hear a kiwi on American TV, and I'll want to vomit. Our accent is awful," said one Twitter user, while another said: "I really don't think Kiwis have the world's sexiest accent because most of the world can't understand us."

Flight of the Conchords' Jermaine Clement tweeted that he had noticed both Kiwis and Australians were "having a tough time accepting this".