A new survey by job platform SEEK reveals that while most New Zealand workers value lifestyle over money, rising living costs are pushing many to reconsider the balance between flexibility and financial security.
According to SEEK’s Money Matters report, “68% of Kiwis would opt for good work-life balance over a higher salary when asked to choose.” Yet the research also shows that financial pressures weigh heavily on decisions. “63% wouldn’t accept a pay cut for more of it,” the survey found.
Workers are more willing to give up certain freedoms in exchange for higher pay. Nearly a third (30%) said they would work extra hours for a pay rise, 28% would accept additional responsibilities, 22% would return to full-time office work, and 17% would agree to a longer commute.
Generational Differences in Workplace Trade-Offs
Gen Z stands out as the most willing to compromise, with 37% open to longer hours and 24% willing to commute further. However, older workers show stronger resistance to office mandates: 32% of Gen X and nearly half (47%) of Baby Boomers say they would not return to the office full-time for any financial incentive.
Overall, 20% of those who can currently work remotely said no pay rise would convince them to give up that flexibility.
Non-Salary Benefits Increasingly Valued
When asked about benefits other than salary, workers leaned heavily toward time-based perks. “Increased annual leave” topped the list at 43%, followed by flexible working arrangements (29%) and reduced working hours (29%). Traditional benefits such as company cars (29%), promotions (25%), and discounts or vouchers (23%) ranked lower.
Gen Z diverged again, with 38% naming a company car as a desirable perk compared with the national average of 29%.
Remote Work as a Key Negotiation Factor
The survey suggests remote work has become a valuable bargaining chip. “80% of those able to [work from home] want to be financially compensated to return to the workplace full-time,” SEEK reported. Of those, 64% would accept a pay rise of up to 20%, while 16% would demand more than that.
Age plays a decisive role. “91% of Gen Z [are] willing to return to the office full-time for a salary increase,” far higher than the national average. By contrast, only 53% of Baby Boomers said they would make the same trade-off.
Expert Commentary on Workforce Trends
Rob Clark, SEEK Country Manager, said the survey shows a shifting dynamic. “The connection between salary and employment is increasingly complex, and in 2025 the usual trade-offs between pay and work-life balance look very different. Our findings show that workers aren’t choosing one over the other – ultimately, they’re seeking roles that support both their financial security and their lifestyle needs.”
Leah Lambart, SEEK Career Coach, pointed to the financial pressures underlying the trend. “We’re seeing workers being pulled between two competing pressures – the drive for real work-life balance and the financial strain of today’s economic climate. We can expect New Zealand workers to be increasingly weighing up the overall value of their work circumstances, not just the pay packet.”