Workers are opting for slippers over stilettos, a one-minute walk instead of an hour commute and the flexibility of working where they want.
A growing number of employers are embracing flexible working or teleworking - where workers are based away from their central offices - and are reporting higher productivity, cost savings and happiness among employees.
Of the total two million employees in New Zealand, 12.23 per cent or 244,674 worked from home in 2013, according to Statistics New Zealand. That's up from 11 per cent in 2006.
However the Census figures relate to those working solely from home and the AUT Future of Work Programme and NZ Work Research Institute director Professor Tim Bentley said the university's research showed teleworking succeeded best when employees some spent time in the office. Too little or too much remote work could be counterproductive, he said.
Auckland Transport regional programme manager for community transport Melanie Alexander said flexible working was a growing trend.
"What we are seeing with the businesses we have worked with is due to more mobile technology - be it smartphones or laptops - people are being more flexible in their working arrangements ... they might be only one or two days out of the office somewhere else and there seems to be more flexibility from employers around that arrangement."
Vodafone head of human resources Jan Bibby said the number of staff involved in flexible working at the company had increased as new technology and access to faster mobile speeds made it manageable.
Ms Bibby said by supporting flexible working, Vodafone had found it easier to retain staff and attract workers from outside their local areas.
"It provides employers with a way to save on office costs and increase business continuity during disasters and crises. Meanwhile, employees typically report a better work/life balance, reduced cost and stress from less daily commuting and better job satisfaction."
The telco found working remotely also gave young families the opportunity to move to more affordable housing areas.
ANZ general manager human resources Felicity Evans said flexible working was part of the bank's policy and she saw it as a great way to achieve gender balance.
The bank supported a mix of office and remote-based work so staff were still connected with the company.