New Zealanders are not staying abroad for as long when they go on their overseas experience (OE) due to financial concerns, a survey shows.

An OE, long considered a rite of passage for young New Zealanders, involves staying in another country for months or years at a time.

A Kantar survey commissioned by Auckland Airport highlights changes to how Kiwis approach the super-sized holiday by comparing data from those who had finished their OE to those who hadn't.

Of New Zealanders who had already been on an OE, 58 per cent had spent more than three months overseas, including 28 per cent spending more than a year abroad.

The situation was radically different for those still planning an OE, with 60 per cent intending to return home within three months and just 10 per cent planning to stay longer than a year.

42 per cent of 18-34-year-olds said they did not plan to go on an OE, many pointing to the cost of living as the main reason.

Of those who had been on an OE, 71 per cent were motivated by a desire to 'see the world.' A handful, 3 per cent, hoped to 'fall in love' overseas.

The most popular destinations had also shifted, the UK losing ground compared to mainland Europe. While 39 per cent of people who had been on a previous OE visited the UK, just 30 per cent were planning to do so in the future.

Meanwhile, Europe had risen from 38 per cent to 43 per cent.

Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said New Zealanders were showing more interest in a greater variety of destinations.

"In the past, places like the UK and Europe were really popular and they still are... But intentions of travel in the future show people want to go to places like India, New York, Tokyo and Vancouver," he said.

"So the places we're going are different as well."