Tourism data

Further growth in tourist arrivals in August

13 Oct 2025

Our take on the latest Tourism data (Mon 13 Oct 2025)

Tourism arrivals rose 2.2% in August from July 2025 (seasonally adjusted)

Tourism arrivals rose 5.5% over year to July 2025

Tourism arrivals at 92% of pre-pandemic levels in August 2025

Tourism arrivals continue to grow modestly, with 2.2% growth in August, following 2.7% growth in July, all on a monthly seasonally adjusted basis. August arrivals represent 92% of August 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, up from 85% in August 2024, demonstrating a slow but steady tourism recovery. Arrivals over the year to August 2025 were 5.5% higher than the year to August 2024.
Visitors from Australia accounted for just over half of the growth in arrivals in August, although the 7.6%pa growth in Australian arrivals was very similar to overall growth of 7.5%pa. Japan, Taiwan and China all recorded solid growth, together accounting for 29% of the growth in arrivals during August. Out of the 18 major markets that we track, all but two – India and The Netherlands – recorded growth in August.
Visitor arrivals to Christchurch rose 17%pa in August, reaching 88% of pre-pandemic levels. Auckland, Wellington, and Queenstown all recorded steady arrivals growth of around 5%pa. Arrivals on new routes into Dunedin and Hamilton have stabilised at a similar level to July.
Departures of NZ tourists slowed in August, up just 1.9% from July (seasonally adjusted) and 1.0% from August 2024.

Monthly tourism arrivals, % of pre-pandemic (2019) levels

August was a notably positive month all round for tourism arrivals. Steady growth in arrivals across most markets and all NZ airports is encouraging to see. The Chinese tourism market remains a shadow of its former self, at 70% of pre-pandemic levels – but it still made a meaningful contribution to growth in August.
The US market, which drove our post-pandemic recovery and then stalled this year, recorded modest, yet positive, growth too. The US remains the largest tourism market by dollar value for most NZ regions, so economic fragility in the US remains a key risk to our tourism sector.
Out of New Zealand’s two biggest airports, Christchurch lagged Auckland in terms of post-pandemic recovery throughout 2023 and 2024. However, in 2025 Christchurch has marched ahead, and arrivals have grown significantly faster than for Auckland for the past three months.
Friends and family continue to drive our tourism recovery. Arrivals visiting friends and family amounted to 99% of pre-pandemic levels in the year to August 2025, followed by vacations at 86% and business at 62%. Recently announced major event funding from the Government might boost vacation arrivals slightly, but it is more likely to discourage Kiwis from leaving, by bringing big-name acts into New Zealand.

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