Visitor arrivals to New Zealand surged 15.2% year-on-year to 408,142 in February 2026, accelerating from a 4.1% rise in January. The stronger growth was largely driven by the timing of the Chinese New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Arrivals from China jumped by 41,700 to a record February high of 61,100, leading the overall increase. Other key markets also posted gains, including Australia (up 6,500), Taiwan (up 6,100), the UK (up 1,400), and Hong Kong (up 1,400). In contrast, arrivals from the U.S. declined by 7,600, while those from South Korea fell by 1,200, partially offsetting the broader gains. Overall, total overseas visitor arrivals reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 417,900 in February 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 31% of the total, followed by China (15%), the U.S. (14%), and the UK (8%), highlighting a continued recovery in international tourism demand. source: Statistics New Zealand

Tourist Arrivals in New Zealand increased to 408142 in February from 385428 in January of 2026. Tourist Arrivals in New Zealand averaged 72426.15 from 1921 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 529255.00 in December of 2018 and a record low of 40.00 in April of 1942. This page provides the latest reported value for - New Zealand Tourist Arrivals - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. New Zealand Tourist Arrivals - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Tourist Arrivals in New Zealand increased to 408142 in February from 385428 in January of 2026. Tourist Arrivals in New Zealand is expected to be 230000.00 by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the New Zealand Tourist Arrivals is projected to trend around 620000.00 in 2027, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-03-12 09:45 PM
Visitor Arrivals YoY
Jan 4.1% 7% 6.0%
2026-04-13 10:45 PM
Visitor Arrivals YoY
Feb 15.2% 4.1% 2.0%
2026-05-13 10:45 PM
Visitor Arrivals YoY
Mar 15.2% 369000%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Balance of Trade 698.00 -365.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Capital Flows 3689.00 5552.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Current Account -5984.00 -8357.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Current Account to GDP -3.70 -4.70 percent of GDP Dec 2025
Exports 7944.00 6518.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Foreign Direct Investment 2376.00 538.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Imports 7246.00 6882.00 NZD Million Mar 2026
Terms of Trade 1593.00 1536.00 points Dec 2025
Tourism Revenues 4613.00 3300.00 NZD Million Dec 2025
Visitor Arrivals YoY 408142.00 385428.00 Feb 2026


New Zealand Tourist Arrivals
In New Zealand, visitor arrivals measure the total number of overseas visitors which intended length of stay is less than 12 months.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
408142.00 385428.00 529255.00 40.00 1921 - 2026 Monthly
NSA

News Stream
New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Soar 15.2% YoY
Visitor arrivals to New Zealand surged 15.2% year-on-year to 408,142 in February 2026, accelerating from a 4.1% rise in January. The stronger growth was largely driven by the timing of the Chinese New Year, which fell in mid-February this year. Arrivals from China jumped by 41,700 to a record February high of 61,100, leading the overall increase. Other key markets also posted gains, including Australia (up 6,500), Taiwan (up 6,100), the UK (up 1,400), and Hong Kong (up 1,400). In contrast, arrivals from the U.S. declined by 7,600, while those from South Korea fell by 1,200, partially offsetting the broader gains. Overall, total overseas visitor arrivals reached 98% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 417,900 in February 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 31% of the total, followed by China (15%), the U.S. (14%), and the UK (8%), highlighting a continued recovery in international tourism demand.
2026-04-13
New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Increase 4.1% YoY in January
Visitor arrivals to New Zealand rose 4.1% year-on-year to 385,400 in January 2026, driven largely by gains from Australia. Australian arrivals increased by 10,700. Gains were also recorded from the United Kingdom +3,700, the United States +2,600, and Germany +1,900, while China decreased -10,800 and Korea decreased -2,000. Overall, arrivals in January 2026 were 97% of the 399,300 recorded in January 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians accounted for 39% of total visitors compared with 36% in January 2019, while the United States contributed 15%, the United Kingdom 9%, and China 7%.
2026-03-12
New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Rise 7.0% YoY in December
Visitor arrivals to New Zealand rose 7.0% year-on-year to 502,600 in December 2025, driven largely by gains from Australia. Australian arrivals increased by 16,100. Gains were also recorded from China (+6,400), the United Kingdom (+2,300), Singapore (+1,400), Taiwan (+1,200) and Malaysia (+1,100). Overall, arrivals in December 2025 were 95% of the 528,200 recorded in December 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians accounted for 41% of total visitors (compared with 37% in December 2019), while the United States contributed 12%, the United Kingdom 8% and China 6%.
2026-02-12