Happy are those who are content with themselves, are women and who live in Buller, Timaru or Northland.
A report dubbed Happiness of New Zealand has shown who are the happiest people in the country.
An average of 29.2% of women said they were happy and satisfied with the way their life was going compared with the average of 25.6% of men who felt that way.
The happiest age range was 75 plus, at 35.7%, closely followed by those aged 70 to 74 at 37.9% and 65 to 69 at 36.2%.
The least happy people were aged 45 to 49, coming in at 19.7%.
Those who stay in areas including Timaru, the West Coast and Northland rated top in spirits, compared with Marlborough which was least happy.
Widows, widowers and married people were also happier than those who are divorced or single, while those living without children were much happier than those living with youngsters.
Pacific Islanders were the happiest of all ethnicities, while Maori were the second happiest.
Around 26,250 people aged 18 and over were surveyed between late June 2010 and last December.
Age Concern Counties Manukau chief executive Wendy Bremner (51) said the secret to happiness was contentment and the idea of helping others.
"Lots of the older people are involved in activities that are for others. So many of them do things for their family and their grandchildren and community groups and organisations and ... when you do things for other people, you get more joy out of that than when you do things for yourself."
Mrs Bremner said most of those volunteering for Age Concern some of whom are in their 90s were also involved in other volunteering efforts.
"Younger generations have a lot more pressure to get more and do more and it's about the attainment that they think that's going to get them happiness, instead of the joy.
"I think the secret to happiness is more about contentment. Enjoying the moment. You've got to be able to enjoy the now."
Good life
Happiest
- 65 or over
- Those in Timaru, Oamaru, Taranaki, Northland
- Retirees and homemakers
- Pacific Islanders and Maori
- Homeowners with no mortgage
- Widowers and married people
- Those living without children
Not so happy
- Middle-aged people, aged 45 to 49
- Those in Marlborough
- Those with a mortgage or renting
- People who are divorced
- Those living with children
