New Zealand Tourist Arrivals Rise Least in 3 Months

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand climbed 8.0% year-on-year to 248,714 in August 2026, slowing from an 8.5% rise in July and marking the smallest growth in three months. Arrivals from China increased by 6,500, followed by Australia (up 5,800), the US (up 2,000), and Malaysia (up 1,300). There were record arrivals for an August month of overseas visitors from some markets, including Australia (125,600), Taiwan (5,800), and Singapore (4,600). Overall, overseas visitor arrivals reached 99% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 251,100 in August 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 51% of the total, followed by China (11%), the US (6%), and Japan (4%), highlighting the continued recovery in international tourism demand.

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand increased 8.5% year-on-year to 256,638 in July 2026, accelerating from an 8.1% rise in June, driven largely by gains from Australia. The increase was the largest in four months, with the number of visitor arrivals being the highest since April. Arrivals from Australia climbed by 8,200, followed by China (up 5,400) and the US (up 1,700). The 134,900 overseas visitor arrivals from Australia in July 2026 were a record for a July month from that country, exceeding the previous record of 126,700 in July 2025. Overall, overseas visitor arrivals reached 100.4% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 255,600 in July 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 53% of the total, followed by China (11%), the US (6%), Japan (3%), and the UK (3%), highlighting the continued recovery in international tourism demand.

Visitor arrivals to New Zealand grew 8.1% year-on-year to 201,855 in June 2026, accelerating from a 6.7% rise in May, driven largely by gains from Australia. The increase was the largest in three months, although the number of visitor arrivals was the lowest since June 2025, underscoring the impact of rising oil prices due to the ongoing Middle East conflict. Arrivals from Australia increased by 13,200, followed by China (up 3,100) and the US (up 1,200). Overall, overseas visitor arrivals reached 95% of pre-pandemic levels, compared with 213,500 in June 2019. Australians remained the largest source of visitors, accounting for 54% of the total, followed by the US (8%), China (7%), Singapore (3%), and India (3%), highlighting the continued recovery in international tourism demand.