A Workplace Happiness Index, offering up-to-date analysis of New Zealanders’ happiness at work, has revealed that having purpose remains the most important driver of that happiness. This is followed by day-to-day responsibilities, and a newcomer into the top three most important drivers – your manager.
Surveying over 1,500 New Zealand workers across a broad range of industries, locations and generations, the index revealed that happiness at work has held steady in 2025, with 64% of New Zealanders saying they feel happy in their jobs. While this is a small improvement on last year’s result (62%), the report shows some key shifts in the drivers of workplace happiness.
Job security, for example, has become more important for New Zealand workers, yet satisfaction in this area has declined (54% in 2025, down from 61% in 2024). The importance of an employee’s manager has also risen significantly, climbing to the third most important driver of workplace happiness – up from ninth place in 2024.
The index was carried out by Seek and its country manager said: “It’s encouraging to see that overall workplace happiness in New Zealand has held steady this year. At the same time, it’s no surprise that happiness levels with job security have declined, with many Kiwis feeling the impact of the current economic climate on the jobs market.
“What stands out is that even with these pressures, New Zealand workers remain remarkably resilient and clear about what matters most. Purpose at work continues to be the strongest driver of workplace happiness, and the importance of one’s manager has risen significantly this year.
“There is a clear opportunity here for businesses. While you may not love every aspect of your job at every life stage, happiness at work has a powerful impact on both individual wellbeing and organisational performance. Happier employees are more likely to be engaged and productive, and far less likely to be looking for another role. By focusing on wellbeing, purpose and supportive management, employers can make a meaningful difference to how people feel at work.”
New Zealand workers reveal mixed happiness across key workplace factors
The research finds that New Zealanders are currently happiest with their work location (68%), team and colleagues (66%), and sense of purpose (63%), with satisfaction in these areas remaining steady since 2024.
By contrast, career progression remains the lowest-rated area at 37%, similar to 2024, and satisfaction with employers’ ESG commitment has stayed flat at 41%—highlighting ongoing challenges for organisations.
A notable shift appears in job security, where happiness has dropped from 61% in 2024 to 54% in 2025, suggesting growing uncertainty about employment prospects amid the current economic climate.
Purpose at work remains the ultimate workplace happiness driver
Index not only identifies what Kiwi workers are happiest with, but also highlights which factors matter most. Purpose at work remains the strongest driver of happiness for the second year running, followed by day-to-day responsibilities. The biggest shift is the importance of your manager, which has jumped from 9th place last year to 3rd in 2025.
Other priorities have also shifted: company values have become more influential (rising from 12th to 6th). At the same time, salary has dropped sharply in importance (from 4th to 13th), showing that pay doesn’t necessarily sustain long-term happiness once someone is in a role.
According to organisational psychologist Justine Alter, the growing importance of managers reflects workers’ need for clarity and support during times of change. Yet only 56% of New Zealanders are happy with their manager, and unhappy employees are more than twice as likely to look for a new job, signalling a major opportunity for leaders to act.
Gen Z’s workplace happiness has risen from 45% to 58% in the past year, but they remain the least happy generation (compared with Millennials at 62% and Gen X at 69%). They also report the most challenges: feeling the least valued, dreading work more often, and high levels of burnout.
Gen Z are happiest when their efforts are recognised, and also value being productive, finding work interesting, feeling listened to, and having the freedom to work independently.
Navigating unhappiness at work
Organisational Psychologist, Justine Alter from Transitioning Well, acknowledges the pressures many New Zealand workers are navigating. “If you’re among the nearly one in three Kiwis dreading work, start by identifying what’s within your control. Look for small ways to make your work more meaningful, such as volunteering for projects that align with your interests, mentoring a colleague, or suggesting process improvements. And remember, sometimes a simple conversation about workload or stress levels may lead to practical solutions you hadn’t considered.
“For employers, creating a psychologically safe and supportive culture can help reduce stress factors in the workplace. Not everybody is going to love their job; employers can’t control that,” she says.
“But what they can control is the environment workers show up to every single day. If people feel supported at work, that can go a long way in addressing some of the risk factors raised in the Workplace Happiness Index.”
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