Tourism statistics have outlined New Zealand's growth, with strong overseas visitor numbers continuing to flock from Australia.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston has welcomed official stats showing continued growth in New Zealand’s overseas visitor numbers, with Australian tourists continuing to lead the way.
“Visitor arrivals from Australia reached 1.48 million in the September 2025 year, up from 1.33 million the year before,” Louise Upston said.
“That’s great news - an increase of 153,500, or 12 percent, compared with the September 2024 year.”
For September years, 2025 was the second highest for the number of visitor arrivals from Australia after 2019, reflecting an increase in trans-Tasman flights, and the success of Tourism New Zealand’s Everyone Must Go campaign.
Upston said Australians have well and truly grabbed that opportunity, and everyone has come.
“Overall, today’s data from Stats NZ shows New Zealand welcomed 248,600 international visitors in September 2025, an increase of 21,700 from September 2024,” she added.
“This exciting increase reflects our Government’s efforts to attract more international visitors and get New Zealand’s tourism industry humming again.”
Chinese numbers remained relatively steady at 246,100 for the period, compared to 245,800 previously.
“As well as these improved statistics, we’re also seeing international arrivals to Queenstown and Christchurch being the highest on record for this time of year.”
Upston said accommodation in Auckland will be at full occupancy next week, and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited has estimated that Auckland will be at 80-85 percent occupancy over the summer period.
“These are all promising signs and reflect the hard work the Government and the sector have been putting in together. We started off the year with a Tourism Boost package, developed in partnership with the industry to support an immediate growth in visitor numbers.
Upston said that teamwork has continued through September’s NZD 70 million events and tourism investment package, alongside last week’s announcement that New Zealand will be welcoming the Michelin Guide to these shores.
“This is all part of the Government’s plan to double the value of international tourism by 2034. A thriving tourism sector is key to our economic success, and one I’m fully committed to.”
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