A new telephone survey on happiness indicates people who are satisfied with their work-life balance are the happiest.
A UMR Happiness study says one of the best ways to make New Zealanders happy could be to improve that ratio.
Just over half of those surveyed were content with their work-life balance and proved to be the happiest.
The research revealed those who identify themselves as being politically right-wing happier than those who are left-wing.
It also showed more than a third are satisfied with their life and about the same number are unhappy.
Seven hundred and fifty New Zealanders were surveyed in early December 2011. The survey has a margin of error of 3.5%.