New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Soar 15.2% YoY

2026-04-13 23:06 By Farida Husna 1 min. read

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.



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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