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New Zealand recorded 3.51 million overseas visitor arrivals in the year to December 2025, the first annual period to exceed 3.5 million since the year ended March 2020, according to Stats NZ.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the figures indicate continued recovery in the international visitor market.
Arrivals were up 196,000 on the previous year, with overall volumes now sitting at around 90 per cent of December 2019 levels.
Monthly data shows 32,800 more international visitors arrived in December 2025 compared with December 2024.
China and Australia recorded strong growth. Chinese arrivals rose 29 per cent year-on-year in December, an increase of 6,400 visitors. Australia remained New Zealand’s largest market, with 1.52 million arrivals in the year to December, up 9.9 per cent (137,000) compared with the previous year.
The Government says changes allowing eligible visitors from China and Pacific Island Forum countries to travel from Australia to New Zealand using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA), rather than a visa, have supported demand.
A post-implementation survey found 85 percent of respondents — including 85 percent of Chinese travellers and 82 percent of visitors from Pacific Island Forum countries — said the availability of the NZeTA option influenced their decision to visit.
The Government continues to support tourism growth through international market partnerships, destination marketing and changes aimed at streamlining travel processes.
