A new study highlights what does and doesn't make Kiwi's happy at work. Photo / Vitaly Gariev for Unsplash
A new study highlights what does and doesn't make Kiwi's happy at work. Photo / Vitaly Gariev for Unsplash
Kiwis see a sense of purpose as the most important factor in determining their level of happiness at work.
But one out of two workers in one generation is disgruntled with their current jobs.
Seek’s Workplace Happiness Index studied more than 1500 working-age New Zealanders to helpidentify key areas in which businesses can build a more engaged, resilient and productive workforce.
The results, released today, found 64% of New Zealanders identify as being happy in their jobs and also highlight the key factors of workplace satisfaction.
Respondents cited their location of work (68% happy), team and colleagues (66%) and purpose at work (63%) as the aspects of work they are most satisfied with.
Additionally, purpose, day-to-day responsibilities, company culture and senior leadership were the most common factors judged as contributing to Kiwis’ happiness at work. The influence of an employee’s manager on happiness has risen significantly, climbing to the third most influential factor, from ninth place in 2024.
Job security, ranked 10th in 2024, is now seventh, yet satisfaction in this area has declined (54% in 2025, down from 61% in 2024).
Salary has become far less influential, dropping from fourth to 13th place. Study organisers suggested this signalled “that while pay remains a key motivator when changing jobs, it doesn’t necessarily drive long-term happiness once people are in a role".
Seek’s country manager Rob Clark, said it was encouraging to see overall workplace happiness holding steady but it was not surprising that happiness levels with job security had declined, with many Kiwis feeling the impact of the current economic climate on the jobs market.
He said the findings presented a “clear opportunity” for businesses.
“Happier employees are more likely to be engaged and productive, and far less likely to be looking for another role.”
Index answers also highlighted clear generational differences.
Gen Z’s happiness at work rose 13% in the past 12 months (58% in 2025, up from 45%), but they were the least happy generation in the workforce. They were followed by 62% of millennials and 69% of Gen X who said they were happy in their roles.
Gen Z workers (born 1997–2012) were the most disgruntled overall, feeling the least valued at 51%, while Millennials sat at 60% and Gen X rated their satisfaction levels at 71%.
The Gen Z workers were also the generation that most often dreaded going to work with more than a third feeling burned out or exhausted.
Gen Z reported being happiest at work when recognised for their efforts, feel productive, find their work interesting, feel listened to or valued and have the freedom to work independently.
Job security, ranked 10th in 2024, is now ranked seventh, yet satisfaction in this area has declined. Photo / Getty Images
Organisational psychologist Justine Alter said it was not enough for businesses to be aware of unhappiness in the workplace, they also needed to make plans to cultivate a psychologically safe workplace.
Alter said it was vital that leaders cast aside assumptions about what drove younger workers noting “what drives younger workers today is very different to what it was 10 years ago”.
“For example, if you value teamwork, but you’re working completely on your own, you’re just going to experience feelings of discontent. And, left unchecked, that can start to lead to symptoms of mental health distress.
“If you report a psychosocial risk, such as high work demands, poor support, bullying and harassment etc, in the workplace and it’s not addressed, that’s another red flag.”
