The world of work in 2026 can feel like shifting sand, especially here in New Zealand. Between the rising cost of living and the rapid-fire progress in Artificial Intelligence, the traditional idea of "one job for life" feels like a relic of the past. In fact, 43% of New Zealand workers are already feeling the pinch, taking on—or searching for—a second job to help with rising costs. Many talent also now prefer multiple jobs as a way to build career progression and security.
At Randstad, we see this as the beginning of the "Portfolio Career" era. In 2026, your job security doesn't necessarily come from your employer; it comes from your skills portfolio. It’s about viewing your career as a collection of diverse experiences and capabilities that you can take with you and offer to another employer, regardless of how the world changes around you. Ou research shows, that in New Zealand, 44% of talent now prefer this diversified path over a traditional linear career.
why your "uncertainty" is a strategic opportunity
One of the most eye-opening findings from our 2026 Workmonitor is the "AI potential gap." While 60% of New Zealand employers expect AI to fundamentally change how work is done, only 48% of talent agree. Even more telling is that 59% of Kiwis believe AI mainly benefits the company, not the employee.
If you feel uncertain about how AI will impact your role, you aren't alone. But standing in that "blind spot" is a risk you can’t afford to take. The first step in building your 2026 skills portfolio is moving from a place of worry to a place of action. Even if your whole job isn't being automated, the way you do it certainly will be. By accepting that adaptation is a requirement, you shift from being a bystander in an ai-augmented future to being the driver of your own career success.
how to talk to your manager about the AI roadmap
If you are currently employed and feeling anxious about the prospect of AI impacting your role, the best thing you can do is start a conversation. You don't have to wait for a formal announcement. In New Zealand, we have a unique advantage: 82% of talent report a strong relationship with their direct manager—the highest in the region. Use that trust to seek clarity from your manager on the plans for AI implementation in your workplace.
When you sit down with your manager, try using these three "partnership-based" questions:
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1. the roadmap question:
"I’ve been reading about how NZ businesses are adopting AI. What are our company’s current plans for AI implementation in our team, and how do you see our roles evolving alongside these tools?"
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2. the upskilling question:
"I’m keen to ensure I’m prepared for an AI-augmented future. What specific training or skilling opportunities can the organisation support me with so I can maximise the potential of these new technologies in my role?"
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3. the value-add question:
"As AI takes over more of our transactional tasks, where should I be focusing my energy to provide the highest value to our customers and the team?"
By asking these questions, you signal to your manager that you are an adaptable, forward-thinking employee who wants to help the business grow. At the same time, it helps you actively build your skills-base should your role have an AI-augmented future and makes your skills more marketable and attractive to future employers.
the "human" premium: skills AI can't replace
While it’s important to be tech-confident—and 68% of Kiwis already feel they are —the real "gold" in your skills portfolio will be the things AI simply cannot do. In an AI-augmented future, human-centric skills become the premium currency.
To truly future-proof your career, focus on developing these four "AI-Proof" pillars:
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1. empathetic leadership:
AI can process data, but it can’t feel. Being able to lead a team through change, understand their emotional responses and needs through change, and providing reassurance is a skill that is surging in value.
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2. nuanced judgement:
AI is excellent at following patterns, but it struggles with "grey areas." Your ability to apply industry experience and ethical judgement to complex, non-linear problems is something that AI cannot match.
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3. deep relationship building:
Whether it’s with a long-term client or a new colleague, the ability to build trust and rapport is the foundation of New Zealand business. 81% of New Zealanders believe they are more productive when they collaborate and learn from different perspectives—a human strength that AI cannot touch.
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4. strategic creativity:
AI can generate content, but it can’t set a vision. Being the person who connects the dots between different trends to create a new strategy is a high-value skill that will always be in demand.
steps to build a future-proof portfolio in NZ
To navigate a career during economic uncertainty, you need to be proactive. Here is how you can start building a portfolio that keeps you in demand:
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diversify your experience:
Don't be afraid of the "non-linear" path. Working across different sectors or roles builds a broader perspective that employers in 2026 value highly.
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seek out "five-generation" teams:
Don't work in a vacuum. 78% of New Zealand talent rely on colleagues from different generations to broaden their perspectives. Use these connections to learn tech fluency from younger colleagues and industry wisdom from older ones.
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prioritise your terms:
Remember, success is self-defined. 47% of New Zealanders stay in their jobs primarily for work-life balance. A healthy, autonomous worker is a more resilient worker.
own your adaptability
In 2026, the most successful workers are those who see themselves as "career entrepreneurs." By acknowledging the pressures of the world—from AI to the economy—and responding by diversifying your capabilities and human-centric skills, you move from a place of wariness to a place of power.
The world is adapting. The question is: are you?
ready to start building your skills portfolio?
Your next career-defining experience is just a click away. Don't wait for the world of work to change—take the lead today:
- [Search Jobs on Randstad NZ]: Find roles that help you add a new "skill layer" to your professional portfolio.
- [Explore 2026 Jobs in Demand]: See which skills are surging in value across New Zealand and how you can position yourself for them.
- Keep Learning: Join us for our next blog in this series, where we’ll look at "Me and My Team" and how to leverage the power of five generations at work to fast-track your growth.
