Our take on the latest Tourism data (Fri 13 Feb 2026)
Tourism arrivals
Tourism arrivals
Tourism arrivals
1.7%
5.9%
95%In December from November 2025 (seasonally adjusted)
Over the year to December 2025
Of pre-pandemic levels
The key numbers...
- Tourism arrivals picked up in December 2025, rising 1.7% from November (seasonally adjusted), following a rise of 0.8% in November. December’s growth marks the sixth consecutive month of rising tourist arrivals.
- December arrivals were 95% of December 2019 (pre-pandemic) levels, matching the peak reached in September 2025.
- Arrivals over the year to December 2025 were 5.9% higher than the year to December 2024, down slightly on 6.6% growth over the year to November.
- Arrivals from our biggest market, Australia, picked up in December, rising 8.5%pa compared with December 2024. UK arrivals turned around, rising 6.5%pa in December following a -5.5% fall in November. Growth in Chinese arrivals remains strong at 29%pa in December. Arrivals from the US have been up and down all year and finished the year declining -0.9%pa in December.
- Departures of NZ tourists continue to climb steadily, rising 5.0% between November and December (seasonally adjusted) and are now 6.0%pa higher than a year ago.
...and our reaction
- Tourism arrivals picked up in December thanks largely to stronger growth from our biggest market, Australia. Australian arrivals made up 41% of all tourist arrivals in December, well ahead of our next largest market, the US, on 12%. Chinese arrivals maintained their recent resurgence but remain well down on pre-pandemic levels.
- The weak New Zealand dollar continues to make New Zealand a more affordable tourist destination, particularly for Australians who have watched the New Zealand dollar steadily weaken against the Australian dollar all last year and into this year.
- Increased flight capacity between Australia and New Zealand, as well as the New Zealand Government’s “Everyone Must Go” campaign earlier in the year will have helped support continued recovery in the Australian market from 90% of pre-pandemic levels over the year to December 2024 to 99% over the year to December 2025.
- Arrivals to Christchurch and Queenstown airports continue to rise strongly. Arrivals on new routes to Dunedin and Hamilton picked up in December, reflecting the seasonal lift seen at other airports. Auckland airport still dominates, but its recovery to pre-pandemic levels remains sluggish.
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