New Zealand Gen Z and Millennials Postpone Home Buying and Family Plans Amid Financial Strain

A Deloitte 2026 survey of more than 22,500 people in 44 countries found that two‑thirds of Gen Z and millennial adults in New Zealand have delayed major life milestones such as purchasing a home or starting a family because of financial pressure. About 65 % of respondents born between 1981 and 2012 say their financial situation forces them to postpone these decisions, well above the global average of roughly 50 %.

Housing affordability is the main driver: 72 % of New Zealand Gen Z and 69 % of millennials say cost and availability of homes dictate their career choices and where they work, compared with 59 % and 55 % in the United Kingdom. Everyday expenses dominate concerns, with 56 % of Gen Z and 46 % of millennials naming cost of living as their top worry, outstripping global averages. Deloitte NZ human‑capital partner Lauren Foster noted a sharp uptick in strain following earlier inflation spikes, leading many younger New Zealanders to reassess savings, career paths, and long‑term plans.