New Zealand visitor spending reached $12.3 billion over the year to September 2025.

That is a 5.3% rise on the previous year, with holidaymakers alone contributing $7.8 billion, up 8.9%.

Across that time 3.43 million people arrived, and Australia stayed our biggest market with $3.6 billion in total spend, followed by the United States on $1.8 billion and China on $1.2 billion.

International visitors put more than $3.2 billion into accommodation and $1.7 billion into dining, which helps keep tourism and hospitality running across the country, including here on the Hibiscus Coast.

Indonesian travellers had the highest average daily spend at $485, with visitors from the United States at $350 and Taiwan at $314.

Even with a lower daily spend, German visitors remained the biggest holiday spenders per trip, with the United Kingdom next, reflecting longer stays.

Landscapes and scenery were the main reason for visiting, at 74.4%.

Nature is still a strong pull, with 80% of holidaymakers visiting lakes, mountains or rivers, 79% heading out for a walk, hike, trek or tramp, and 62% visiting a national park.

For tourism operators and local hosts on the Hibiscus Coast, Coasties can expect that strong interest in nature and local experiences to keep shaping the kind of visitors who arrive in Auckland and explore our part of the country.

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