New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Rise the Least in 4 Months

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased 6.7% year-on-year to 203,300 in May 2026, slowing from an 8.0% rise in April, driven largely by gains from China. The growth was the smallest in four months, and the number of visitors was the lowest since June 2025, underscoring the impact of rising oil prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Arrivals from China climbed by 4,400, followed by Australia (up 3,300), Malaysia (up 1,900), Singapore (up 1,700), and Taiwan (up 1,000). Overall, total overseas visitor arrivals reached 93% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 219,300 in May 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 44% of the total, followed by China (10%), the US (8%), India (4%), Singapore (3%), and the UK (3%), highlighting the continued recovery in international tourism demand.

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand climbed 8.0% year-on-year to 288,546 in April 2026, slowing sharply from a 15.1% rise in March, driven largely by gains from China. However, the number of visitors was the smallest since January, with growth slowing to its weakest pace in three months, underscoring the impact of rising oil prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Arrivals from China surged by 11,100, followed by Australia (up 5,500), the United States (up 3,100), Japan (up 1,500), Taiwan (up 1,300), India (up 1,200), and Malaysia (up 1,000), while those from the United Kingdom declined (down 3,300). Overall, total overseas visitor arrivals reached 94% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 307,400 in March 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 49% of the total, followed by China (11%), the US (9%), the United Kingdom (3%), and India (3%), highlighting a continued recovery in international tourism demand.

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased 15.1% year-on-year to 358,911 in March 2026, easing slightly from a 15.2% rise in February, driven largely by gains from Australia. Arrivals from Australia jumped by 24,100, followed by China (up 4,200), the United States (up 4,100), the United Kingdom (up 3,500), Hong Kong (up 1,600), Canada (up 1,600), India (up 1,500), and Japan (up 1,200). Overall, total overseas visitor arrivals reached 95% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 738,300 in March 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 39% of the total, followed by the United States (15%), China (7%), and the United Kingdom (6%), highlighting a continued recovery in international tourism demand.