More than half of New Zealand workers — 54% — regret their choice of career and would choose differently if they had their time over, according to a survey by employment website Seek.
The survey of more than 1000 workers found not earning enough was the top reason for regret, followed by changing interests and passions, unfulfilling work, and a poor work/life balance.
Seek NZ manager Rob Clark said a standout finding of the report was that money weighed heavily on the minds of workers.
“Amid persistent cost-of-living pressures, this could be why almost half of workers are feeling pessimistic about their future working life.”
In the generational split, Millennial (61%) and Gen Z workers (56%) were more likely to choose a different career if they had their time over, followed by Gen X (51%) and Baby Boomers (41%).
The report found 41% of respondents were open to a career change but just 6% were taking steps towards making one.
Factors holding New Zealanders back from career changes included financial concerns (50%); feeling that it was too late (40%); and a lack of qualifications (33%).
Clark said doubts about career choices were “very common”.
“However, it’s important to recognise that a career change is possible at any stage of the working life, and it doesn’t have to be overwhelming.”
The report also looked into the future of work amid increasing average life expectancy and a climbing retirement age.
A majority (85%) of workers acknowledged that New Zealanders were working longer than before, while 41% believed they would be working into their 70s and beyond.
Concerns around the future of work were slow or no salary growth (38%), burning out (33%) and needing to work for a long time to make ends meet (25%). Gen Z were the most concerned about these factors compared to older generations — particularly around salary growth.
This research was conducted by Nature between October 2024 and February 2025. Sample size was 1045 working-age New Zealanders.
