AUT University sociologist Professor Charles Crothers said our even higher seventh placing among developed nations in the wellbeing index confirmed a comment in the recent United Nations Human Development Report, which also ranked New Zealand seventh, that it was "perhaps the world's best country at converting national income into human development".
"We are right at the bottom of the OECD for income per head, but I just don't think it translates. I think we are in much better shape than that," Professor Crothers said.
Gallup asked people during 2013 how much they agreed or disagreed with two statements in each of its five elements of wellbeing. People were classed as either "thriving", "struggling" or "suffering" on each element.
New Zealand's best score, with 47 per cent "thriving", was on the two financial statements of having "enough money to do everything you want to do" and not worrying about money in the previous week.
Part-time personal assistant Ava Tilby, 66, who has walked in Auckland's Cornwall Park on most days for almost 50 years, said: "Of course you always want more, but yes, I think we have enough money." Market researcher Chris Ram, 29, also walking in the park, said: "Yeah, I've got enough money."
Only 20 per cent of New Zealanders were "suffering" financially, the same as Australia and slightly below the OECD average of 23 per cent. Sweden has the world's least financial suffering (8 per cent).
New Zealanders also scored well, with 43 per cent "thriving", compared with 38 per cent of Australians, on statements about their community being "a perfect place for you" and achieving recognition in their community.
Professor Crothers said the Kiwi lifestyle was still relatively relaxed.
"We are still mainly living in low to medium density. There is a bit more social interaction than in anonymous flats and apartments."
Kiwis scored above Australians and other developed countries on having a sense of purpose - liking what we do, and learning or doing something interesting every day.
But we were only around the OECD and Australian averages for social wellbeing (having people who encourage us to be healthy and give us energy) and physical wellbeing (being active and having near-perfect health).
Mixing it up keeps work interesting
Alana Klaver is always trying to do new things - a trait she admits has not made her wealthy.
Ms Klaver, 26, has a bachelor of fine arts and a massage certificate, but works as a nanny.
She could not say she liked what she did every day.
"It's not always easy," she said. "But I do something interesting every day because I'm always trying to learn new things and do things I enjoy, which is why I struggle to earn money."
She lives in Greenlane and runs in Cornwall Park three times a week. Her partner and friends encourage her to stay healthy, and she reckons she enjoys "near-perfect" health.
Money is tight. She has worried about it within the past week.
"It's hard to make money here," she said. "I've lived in Canada and Australia, and it's hard to find work here that I enjoy doing that will make me money."
Although she has lived in New Zealand almost all her life, she was born in Canada and plans to try living there in the next year or so. But she expects to return.
"This is where I grew up," she said. "I'm sure that I'll end up back here."
