18th April 2026
New Zealand’s tourism recovery is gaining real momentum, with international visitor numbers continuing to climb and edging closer to pre-pandemic levels, driven in part by a sharp resurgence in travellers from China.
New data from Stats NZ shows more than 408,000 overseas visitors arrived in February 2026, an increase of over 53,000 compared to the same month last year. The figures point to a sector that is not only recovering but beginning to rebuild confidence across the wider economy.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister, Louise Upston, says the latest numbers reflect sustained progress.
“Our tourism sector continues its strong growth, with over 408,000 overseas visitors choosing to visit New Zealand in February 2026, over 53,000 more than the same time a year ago.
“International tourism contributes to our Government’s plan to fix the basics and build the future and support economic growth, with businesses, jobs and communities across the country feeling the benefits of increasing visitor numbers,” she says.
The growth is not limited to monthly figures. On an annual basis, overseas visitor arrivals reached 3.58 million in the year to February 2026, an increase of 229,000 compared to the previous year. That puts New Zealand at around 92% of its pre-COVID visitor levels recorded in late 2019, a key benchmark for the industry’s recovery.
Australia continues to lead as New Zealand’s largest tourism market, providing a steady and reliable stream of visitors.
“It’s great to see continued growth from our largest visitor market, Australia, with 1.54 million arrivals in the year to February, up 123,000 from the year before.”
At the same time, there are clear signs of diversification in where growth is coming from. One of the most notable trends is the sharp rebound in visitors from China, particularly around the Chinese New Year period.
“Changes that allow eligible visitors from China and the Pacific to travel to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than a visa, are also making a difference.
“Chinese visitor arrivals were up 41,700 (increase of 214 per cent) in February 2026 compared with the same month in 2025, as more Chinese visitors chose to take advantage of the NZeTA and experience New Zealand’s unique scenery and hospitality over Chinese New Year,” Upston says.
This surge highlights the importance of policy settings and travel accessibility in shaping tourism flows. The introduction of more flexible entry pathways, such as the NZeTA system, appears to be lowering barriers and encouraging more spontaneous or short-notice travel, particularly for visitors already in the region.
More broadly, February’s increase of 53,700 additional international visitors year-on-year reflects growing global confidence in travel and New Zealand’s continued appeal as a destination. For tourism operators, the rebound is being felt not just in visitor numbers, but in forward bookings, spending, and overall business sentiment.
The Government has been actively supporting the sector’s recovery through a range of initiatives, including international marketing campaigns and efforts to position New Zealand as a year-round destination rather than a seasonal one.
“This Government has backed our vital tourism and hospitality sector through initiatives including funding for promotion of New Zealand as a year-round destination and strengthening partnerships with key markets.
“As a country we are seeing the flow on growth and confidence in our tourism and hospitality sector as more visitors have chosen New Zealand as their next holiday destination.
“More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs,” she says.
The economic ripple effects of rising visitor numbers are significant. Tourism is a major contributor to regional economies, supporting accommodation providers, hospitality businesses, transport operators, and a wide range of service industries.
As visitor numbers rise, so too does demand for local goods and services, helping to stimulate employment and investment.
However, some uncertainty remains. External factors, such as global fuel prices and travel costs, could still influence the pace of recovery in the months ahead.
“The effects of the fuel crisis are yet to be seen, but I will keep working with tourism operators on ensuring New Zealand continues to be seen as an attractive and safe destination to visit,” Upston says.
Despite these potential headwinds, the overall trajectory for New Zealand tourism is clearly positive. With visitor numbers steadily climbing, key markets strengthening, and new ones rebounding, the sector is once again positioning itself as a central pillar of the country’s economic growth.
SPONSORED
