Kiwis Say They’d Rather Get Paid Than Get Laid This Valentine’s

If you had to choose between more money or more sex in your life right now, what would you pick?

According to a new Valentine’s Day poll run by Kiwi-owned jobs platform ZEIL, more than 500 New Zealanders have made their choice, and it’s not exactly romantic.

Money came out on top, with 69% choosing more money compared to 31% who chose more sex.

But before anyone declares romance dead, ZEIL says the result is less about stress and more about confidence.

“This isn’t a doom-and-gloom story,” says Caitlin Langlands, Marketing Manager at ZEIL. “What we’re seeing is people backing themselves and chasing better opportunities. Ambition is hot.”

ZEIL says the poll reflects a growing confidence among workers who are reassessing what they want from work and actively upgrading their careers.

“Money represents freedom, options and confidence,” Langlands says. “When people feel in control of their work and their income, they feel more secure and more attractive – and that carries into the rest of their lives.”

The poll comes as more Kiwis feel confident enough to look for roles that better fit their lifestyle, values and goals. According to ZEIL, jobseekers are increasingly prioritising roles that offer progression, flexibility and pay that matches their worth.

“We’re seeing people level up,” Langlands says. “They want work that gives them options. And options are attractive.”

ZEIL says the results tap into a broader cultural shift, where career ambition is no longer seen as a trade-off against relationships, but something that can enhance them.

“Money isn’t about excess,” Langlands says. “It’s about choice. Choice to travel, choice to invest in yourself, choice to build the life you actually want.”

So, while flowers and chocolates are still nice, many Kiwis are clearly thinking about something else this Valentine’s Day.

For those two thirds of Kiwis feeling inspired to chase a pay rise, ZEIL says thousands of opportunities are waiting on its platform.

ZEIL is New Zealand’s fastest-growing job marketplace, on a mission to connect talent to teams more dynamically than ever before. Powered by smart matching and AI-driven tools, ZEIL helps candidates discover opportunities that truly fit, while enabling companies to find the right talent faster.

www.zeil.com

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