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Domestic destinations continue to lead Kiwi travel plans ahead of Waitangi Weekend, with new search data from Booking.com showing strong interest in short, close-to-home getaways.
Analysis of Booking.com search sessions from Monday, December 1, 2025 to Wednesday, December 31, 2025, for stays between Friday, February 6, 2026 and Sunday, 8 February 2026, shows Auckland, Christchurch, Queenstown, Taupō, Mount Maunganui and Tauranga all recorded notable increases in searches.
The data suggests domestic tourism remains the preferred choice for Kiwis using the long weekend to fit in a short break before returning to full-time office work.
Among international destinations, Australia continues to dominate, with the Gold Coast, Sydney and Melbourne leading search activity. Perth was the fastest-rising destination, climbing 10 places year-on-year to enter the top 10.
Only one of the top 10 international destinations sat outside the Asia-Pacific region, reinforcing the preference for shorter flights and destinations that maximise time away during a three-day weekend.
Booking.com area manager Melissa Ellison says the search trends reflect how Kiwis are approaching long-weekend travel.
“For Waitangi Weekend, we’re seeing travellers prioritise destinations that are easy to reach and offer a strong return on time away, whether that’s a nearby city break or a short-haul international trip,” Melissa says.
Auckland topped the list of domestic destinations, followed by Christchurch and Queenstown, while Tauranga and Taupō both recorded year-on-year growth. On the international front, Japan and Thailand continued to attract interest alongside traditional Australian favourites.
Booking.com says the data highlights opportunities to promote local staycations, particularly in Auckland and other high-performing domestic centres, while also inspiring Kiwis planning last-minute trips for the public holiday.
New Zealand’s Top 10 most searched domestic destinations for Waitangi Weekend:
1. Auckland, New Zealand (up 20 per cent)
2. Christchurch, New Zealand +1 (up 30 per cent)
3. Queenstown, New Zealand (up 25 per cent)
4. Wellington, New Zealand
5. Taupō, New Zealand +1 (up 20 per cent)
6. Rotorua, New Zealand
7. Mount Maunganui, New Zealand +1
8. Dunedin, New Zealand
9. Napier, New Zealand
10. Tauranga, New Zealand +3 (up 30 per cent)
New Zealand’s Top 10 most searched international destinations for Waitangi Weekend:
1. Gold Coast, Australia
2. Sydney, Australia
3. Melbourne, Australia +2
4. Rarotonga, Cook Islands
5. Tokyo, Japan
6. Brisbane, Australia
7. Bangkok, Thailand +2
8. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
9. Singapore, Singapore
10. Perth, Australia +10
Search sessions December 1 to December 31, 2025 with check-in dates February 6, 2026, to February 8, 2026. Rank and per cent increases compared with the same period in 2024 / 2025.
