New Zealand’s visitor numbers are climbing again, and they’re spending more while they’re here.

MBIE’s latest figures show international visitors spent $12.1 billion in the 12 months to June 2025, up 4.3% on last year.

Holidaymakers made up the bulk, pouring $7.6 billion into the economy.

Australians are digging a bit deeper, with their daily spend jumping 17% to $273.

American visitors topped the charts, spending $338 a day.

What are people doing while they’re here?

The survey says most are getting outdoors — 71% went walking, hiking or trekking.

Nature spots like beaches, lakes and national parks remain big drawcard, and plenty also explored local museums and galleries.

Overall, 3.38 million visitors came in the past year, about 87% of pre-pandemic levels.

But in dollar terms, tourism is already back at 106% of those earlier highs (though only 86% once inflation is considered).

Tourism is still New Zealand’s second biggest export earner, behind dairy.

For Coasties, it’s more than numbers — it’s families booking motels, day trippers stopping for ice cream in Orewa, and visitors filling cafés after a morning at Shakespear Regional Park.

Know something local worth sharing?

Send it to [email protected] — we’ll help spread the word.