How happy are you right now? What would make you happier?

12:17 PM Monday Jul 27, 2009

Times are tough and New Zealanders are less happy this year than last year, the annual UMR Research happiness survey has found.

A good relationship with family and friends and job satisfaction make people happiest, the survey found.

Debate on this issue is now closed:

Kim H (New South Wales) | 12:47PM Monday, 27 Jul 2009

To say "Happiness and money don't go hand-in-hand as those on less than $15,000 a year are slightly happier than those on more than $70,000" is a very misleading and obtuse way of comparing two different aspects of life. Those on less than $15,000 are almost always a lot younger and carefree, with no kids or mortgage!
Personally I'm 8/10. Just need an extra $2M.

DKB (Whangarei) | 12:47PM Monday, 27 Jul 2009

My wife & I live in Whangarei in our own home, modest type at that but extremely comfortable, I am in my mid 60's & my wife in early 70's. We enjoy a great relationship both having joint & our own interests to pursue, we enjoy talking to one another which with being friends as well helps with the relationship.
We are not what one would term as wealthy but very comfortable with what we have in money terms, we are able to enjoy a dinner or two out each week but not at top end restaurants and partake in the odd other social enjoyments.
Our richness & happiness in life though comes from all the simple things, family, volunteer work, hobbies, enjoying the large section we have, & all things of worldly beauty around us. We do not crave for material things having realised long ago what a worthless pursuit this is.
What tops it all is living in such a beautiful area as Northland & enjoying an equitable climate most of the time, like this morning enjoying a coffee at our library sitting in the large picture window enjoying the heat of the sun and reading a good magazine.
This is where happiness is found, all in the life around you.

Joolz62 (Manurewa) | 01:22PM Monday, 27 Jul 2009

Yeah I've got my health so I'm happy. My dear old Dad's perspective of happiness having grown up during the Blitz was a hot meal on the table and a roof over his head. "As long as no-one's trying to drop bombs on me" he'd chuckle.