AI Splits New Zealand’s Graduating Cohort as Confidence Stays Low and Overseas Options Beckon
Want to understand what’s happening in the student market? Every year, Talent Solutions runs the Student Pulse Report – the biggest national student survey designed for graduate employers in New Zealand. It shares the behaviours, motivations, and expectations of tertiary students, helping employers keep pace with what matters most to the next generation of talent.
The 2025 findings, based on responses from more than 2,700 students across the country, reveal a cohort navigating rapid change. From shifting confidence levels and altered job search strategies to a strong appetite for overseas opportunities, the influence of generative AI stood out as one of the most striking themes this year.
AI is rewriting the graduate job hunt – and dividing students
Generative AI is now a regular part of the job search for many students. Nearly half (46%) of respondents are using tools such as ChatGPT to craft or polish their cover letters, while 42% are applying AI support to their CVs. Students are also turning to AI for:
Interview preparation (26%)
Answering application questions (19%)
Simulating interview practice (14%)
Researching potential employers (11%)
Answering video interview questions (8%)
Supporting psychometric test prep (4%)
That said, not all students are on board. More than a third (35%) report not using AI tools at all.
When it comes to employers, students are split. Half say they haven’t yet considered whether an organisation’s approach to AI makes them more attractive. Among the rest, 31% are drawn to employers who embrace AI and train their staff to use it. But almost one in five (19%) say AI-first employers put them off entirely. Some students were forthright in their comments: “AI is an immediate no,” “Employers who use AI are a red flag,” and “LLMs have destroyed the ability of students to think independently.”
Confidence remains low in a tougher market
Only 20% of students say they feel “very confident” about securing a graduate role in 2025. The data shows variation by subject area, with Arts students the least confident and Engineering students the most.
The economic climate is also influencing behaviour. Over half (54%) are worried about increased competition for roles, while 39% are applying to more companies as a result. Many are broadening their search beyond traditional graduate programmes: 35% are considering roles overseas, and 30% are open to non-graduate roles unrelated to their degree.
Overseas opportunities continue to lure
International mobility remains a strong theme. Four in ten students (40%) are actively applying for graduate roles offshore. Among those, Australia is the clear front-runner (82%), followed by the United Kingdom (30%) and other European countries (27%).
Students are also thinking longer-term. One in five (21%) hope to go abroad within two years, while 23% are planning for a move within three to five years. Only 10% are thinking beyond that timeframe, 14% say they don’t plan to work overseas at all, and 32% remain unsure.
About the survey
The Student Pulse Report 2025 survey ran from March to June 2025 and gathered responses from 2,741 students. The online questionnaire was distributed through Student Job Search, Prosple, GradConnection, university channels, and social media. With a margin of error of just 2%, the findings provide a robust snapshot of graduate sentiment in New Zealand today.
The full report is distributed to Talent Solutions clients, supporting employers to design graduate strategies informed by the latest student insights.
