Our take on the latest Tourism data (Thu 22 Jan 2026)
Tourism arrivals grew 0.8% in November from October 2025 (seasonally adjusted)
Tourism arrivals rose 8.2% over the year to November 2025
Tourism arrivals at 93% of pre-pandemic levels in November 2025
The key numbers...
- Tourism arrivals rose by a modest 0.8% in November from October (seasonally adjusted), maintaining momentum from a 0.7% increase in October, and marking the fifth consecutive month of tourist increases.
- November arrivals were 93% of November 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, down from a high-water mark of 95% in September 2025.
- Arrivals over the year to November 2025 were 6.6% higher than the year to November 2024, the highest annual growth since February 2025.
- Christchurch Airport continues to lead tourist growth in 2025, with a 17% rise in tourist arrivals over the year to November 2025. However, Queenstown Airport continues to lead the recovery, with arrivals in the year to November 2025 totalling 140% of 2019 levels, followed by 88% at Christchurch, 84% at Auckland, and 80% at Wellington. Arrivals on new routes to Dunedin have stabilised, and Hamilton arrivals continue to grow.
- Departures of NZ tourists rose 2.8% in November (seasonally adjusted), and now sit 3.4% higher than a year ago. Departures surpassed pre-pandemic levels at the start of 2025, and have grown more slowly since.
Tourism recovery holds at 93% in November
Monthly tourism arrivals, % of pre-pandemic (2019) levels
...and our reaction
- Tourism arrivals maintained modest, positive growth in November. Should this pace be maintained, a return to pre-pandemic levels could be less than two years away.
- Australia continues to drive our tourism recovery, accounting for over a third of total visitor growth in November. More surprising was a 37%pa jump in arrivals from China in November, accounting for just under a third of total November growth. Chinese visitor arrivals totalled 63% of pre-pandemic levels in the year to November 2025, leaving significant room for recovery.
- A weaker New Zealand dollar has improved affordability for tourists coming to New Zealand, which could explain the strength in Australian arrivals. The weak dollar may also explain slower growth in departures of New Zealanders, whose holiday budgets are now worth less overseas.
Latest updates
Premium
Tourism data
Timing of Chinese New Year weakens growth in arrivals
Fri 13 Mar 2026
Monthly
0.9% Tourism arrivals in January 2026 from December 2025 (seasonally adjusted)4.1% Tourism arrivals over the year to January 202697% Tourism arrivals of pre-pandemic levels in January 2026Premium
Tourism data
Tourism arrivals recover to 95% of pre-pandemic levels
Fri 13 Feb 2026
Monthly
1.7% Tourism arrivals in December from November 2025 (seasonally adjusted)5.9% Tourism arrivals over the year to December 202595% Tourism arrivals of pre-pandemic levelsTourism data
Tourism recovery slows a touch in October
Wed 10 Dec 2025
Monthly
Tourism arrivals rose 0.6% in October from September 2025 (seasonally adjusted)Tourism arrivals rose 6.3% over year to October 2025Tourism arrivals at 93% of pre-pandemic levels in October 2025