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%.

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%.

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand rose 8.2% year-on-year to 347,600 in November 2025, driven largely by gains from Australia. Australian arrivals reached 135,564, an increase of 9,500. Gains were also recorded from China (+7,800), the United States (+3,800) and Canada (+1,900), while arrivals from the United Kingdom fell (-1,100). Overall, arrivals in November 2025 were 93% of the 372,100 recorded in November 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians accounted for 39% of total visitors (compared with 36% in November 2019), while the United States contributed 12%, China 8% and the United Kingdom 6%.