Visitor arrivals pass 3.5 million – news story
13 February 2026
Overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand totalled 3.51 million in the December 2025 year, up 195,600 (6 percent) from the December 2024 year, according to data released by Stats NZ today.
“The December 2025 year was the first annual period to exceed 3.5 million overseas visitor arrivals since the March 2020 year,” international travel spokesperson Bryan Downes said.
“The increase in overseas visitors to New Zealand in 2025 coincided with a 4 percent increase in flights into the country compared with 2024.”
Australia led the increase in visitor arrivals in 2025, up 136,500 (10 percent) from 2024. This was followed by the United States, up 15,200 (4 percent), and China, up 13,300 (5 percent).
