Purpose drives employee happiness in New Zealand
Happiness in New Zealand workplaces remained stable in 2025, according to a new report from SEEK NZ, with purpose still the top driver of happiness among employees.
Findings from SEEK's Workplace Happiness Index 2025 show that 65% of Kiwis are somewhat happy or extremely happy at work, higher than the 62% from a year ago.
Purpose remained the biggest driver of workplace happiness, according to the findings, followed by employees' day-to-day role, their manager, and their company culture.
"Employees who find purpose in what they do are not only happier, they're also more motivated at work and less likely to leave their jobs," said Rob Clark, SEEK NZ country manager, in the report.
"The benefits of investing in employee happiness and connecting them to purpose are undeniable."
Gen Z struggling with happiness
Despite the stable level of happiness, the report found that organisations' youngest employees are the least happy cohort in the workplace.
Only 58% of Gen Z employees are happy at work, trailing Millennials (62%) and Gen X (69%) employees, according to the findings.
It comes as just half of Gen Zs say they feel happy with their purpose at work.
"Our latest research uncovered that Gen Z in particular is struggling to find meaning in what they do," Clark said. "The least satisfied with purpose of any generation, they are more likely to feel burnt out, unproductive, or unseen compared to other generations."
Improving Gen Z's happiness
Clark stressed that there is an "urgent need" for leaders to engage with and support the youngest employees in the workplace.
"Leaders can provide more support for younger employees and consider a mentorship programme that pairs them with a senior colleague to provide guidance and help them find meaning in their work," the report read.
It also noted that Gen Z employees are happiest when they are recognised for their efforts, productive, feel valued, and when work is interesting.
To meet these needs, the report urged employers to:
- Provide regular encouragement
- Ensure young workers have enough daily duties and mentally stimulating work
- Set regular 1:1s
- Ask Gen Z for input in team decision-making
- Offer training and shadowing opportunities
- Ask Gen Z what they find interesting and go from there
