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It’s always been a busy region – with plenty to see and do – and 2025 is no different for Taupō.
Inside Tourism chatted to Destination Great Lake Taupō general manager Patrick Dault to see what this year has in store for the region – and he says things are off to a flying start.
“We’re currently basking in a couple of significant international accolades — named in CNN’s top 25 places to visit in 2025, and booking.com’s top 10 most welcoming cities on Earth voted in by travellers who’ve been here and experienced our welcome.”
The region also has a lot planned for this year, with the events calendar filling up fast.
“Our events schedule is looking bigger than ever beginning this month with the 62nd edition of the Lake Taupō Across the Lake swim (February 22), the 26th Ironkidz (February 23) and Ironman NZ — the world’s second longest running Ironman – on March 1. There will be thousands of people in town for these events.
“At the same time, we’re revving up to welcome the second edition of the 2025 ITM Taupō Super 440 (April 11-13). In 2024, Taupō International Motorsport Park hosted an incredible 67,000 visitors — including 3000 international visitors — so this is a massive week for us.
“Our community lives and breathes events — Taupō is fast becoming the events capital of New Zealand. We’re focused on rolling out the red carpet, not the red tape.”
And while there are plenty of events planned in the first half of the year, Patrick says there are also a few other important milestones coming up in the next few months.
“Our own grand old dame, Huka Lodge, will be celebrating a century of hospitality, and is reopening on March 1 after its biggest-ever major refit, setting the scene for a new era of luxury in Taupō.
“In other big news, we have new air links opening up with OriginAir operating Wellington to Taupō from February 17, and Jetstar’s new international services launching into Hamilton from Gold Coast and Sydney which will bring Taupō closer for our Australian visitors from June this year.”
As well as a refresh of the old, Patrick says there’s a bunch of new in the works, too, in the form of accommodation, eateries, events and tourism attractions.
“For example, Heli Kai is so new it’s not yet online – a collaboration between experienced tourism operators Helisika and Kai Waho,” says Patrick.
“The experience includes a super scenic heli flight from Poronui Station into Ngāti Tūwharetoa Kaimanawa high country an opportunity to learn about the history of the 26 sub-tribes, their land and places, how they are working and protecting their lands today, and enjoy a rather special luncheon.”
And the numbers back the excitement. Taupō sees nearly one million visitors each year, and tourism sits as top dog when it comes to employment.
“Tourism is a major economic contributor to the Taupō District; the number one employment sector in the region, employing 23 per cent of the working population,” says Patrick.
All the figures point to a positive 2025, with Patrick saying annual year-on-year international visitor spend is up 22 per cent to $79.5 million. And, whilst the latest monthly statistics show a two per cent decrease in domestic spend, the good news is that domestic spend is up $62 million or 23 per cent from pre-Covid figures. It seems Kiwis have rediscovered Taupō and they like what they experience.
He says this year will see DGLT focus in on domestic and Australian consumers who travel for a passion, biking, hiking, golfing or fishing, and families, couples, and friends.
“Social media and technology will play an increasing role in bringing our stories to the world in 2025. We’ll be sharing more stories — local tales from our business and resident community, as well as our tourism community — digging deeper, showing why this is a great place to live, and what makes our hospitality unique. That means looking beyond Taupō town to our wider district — Tūrangi, Mangakino, Western Bays, Kinloch and so on.
“We will also work hard with our operators to enable new products and diversify our visitor base enabling the region to reach its full potential.”
For businesses in the area wanting to make the most of the year ahead, Patrick recommends operators need to be building direct bookings, be active in social media and finessing key travel planning tools.
“We need to keep that welcome mat dusted off, ready and waiting for whoever arrives.
“I would say that in these tighter economic times, almost everyone is looking for added value so it’s good to find ways to provide something more, those little extra things that support our reputation as welcoming, inclusive hosts.”
He says Taupō sets itself apart with its friendliness – “our welcome goes a long way to making Taupō special” – as well as the vibrant, engaged community that loves to welcome visitors.
“Taupō enjoys a distinct advantage in that it’s very much in the centre of the North Island with easy access from so many different points. Add that to our bucket list visitor attractions — Huka Falls, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, our magnificent Māori rock carvings, amazing volcanic landscapes and those brilliant pumice trails — and Taupō comes in high on any must-do itinerary.”
Key events in Taupō in 2025:
· Repco Supercars Championship – ITM Taupō Super 440
· Anzco IRONMAN New Zealand
· Taupō Marathon
· Lake Taupō Cycle Challenge
· Equifest
