Our take on the latest Tourism data (Tue 14 Jul 2026)
Tourism arrivals
Tourism arrivals
Chinese visitor arrivals
1.8%
6.7%pa27%paIn May 2026 from Apr 2026 (seasonally adjusted)
In May 2026
In May 2026
The key numbers...
- International visitor arrivals fell 1.8% in May 2026, from April 2026, on a seasonally adjusted basis. Arrivals were up 6.7%pa from May 2025, amounting to 93% of pre-pandemic levels (May 2019). There were 3,659,447 foreign tourist arrivals over the year to May 2026, 8.5% more than the year to May 2025.
- China accounted for 34% of the increase in visitor arrivals in May, with 4,362 more Chinese arrivals in May 2026 compared to May 2025 – a rise of 27%pa. Australian arrivals accounted for 26% of the increase with 3,330 more arrivals (a rise of 3.9%pa). Arrivals from Malaysia were up 1,865 (60%pa) and arrivals from Singapore were up 1,674 (35%pa). Together, arrivals from Malaysia and Singapore accounted for 28% of the increase between May 2026 and May 2025. Arrivals from the United States and United Kingdom fell slightly.
- Chinese arrivals are now at 77% of pre-pandemic levels over the year to May 2026, still well behind Australia (102%) and United States (105%). Singapore is at 100% and Malaysia 86%.
- Christchurch Airport continues to lead growth in international visitor arrivals, with a 22%pa increase in May 2026, just ahead of Queenstown (20%), and well ahead of Auckland (0.7%pa) and Wellington (0.2%pa).
- Departures of New Zealand citizens fell 4.7% in May 2026 from April 2026 (seasonally adjusted) and were down 6.1%pa from May 2025.
...and our reaction
- International visitor arrivals slipped in May 2026, as conflict in the Middle East discouraged travel from North America and Europe, with flight disruptions and higher airfares.
- However, the broader tourism recovery continues, driven by China, with notable contributions from Malaysia and Singapore.
- Australia remains our largest tourism market and arrivals continue to grow incrementally, despite being back above pre-pandemic levels.
- Departures of New Zealand citizens remain volatile. May’s month-to-month fall of 4.7% (seasonally adjusted) comes on the back of a 1.3% fall in April, which suggests the low New Zealand dollar and effects of the Iran War are undermining Kiwis’ willingness to travel overseas.
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