Auckland (The NZ Today)
Australia has cemented its position as New Zealand’s biggest tourism market, with a record number of Australian visitors crossing the Tasman as international travel recovery gathers pace.
Latest Statistics New Zealand figures show 1.59 million Australian visitors arrived in New Zealand in the year to July 2026, the highest number recorded from Australia in any July year.
Australia alone accounted for a significant share of New Zealand’s total international visitor arrivals, with 134,900 Australians visiting in July 2026 — a record for the month and up 6 percent compared with July 2025.
The growth comes as New Zealand’s overall tourism numbers move beyond pre-COVID levels. In July 2026, the country welcomed 256,600 overseas visitors, surpassing the July 2019 benchmark for the first time since pandemic-related travel restrictions were introduced.
While Australia remains the dominant market, visitors from other countries are also contributing to the recovery.
China recorded strong growth, with annual visitor numbers rising to 321,000 in the July 2026 year, an increase of 76,000 compared with the previous year.
The United States also continued its upward trend, with arrivals increasing by 12 percent in July compared with the same month last year.
Tourism Minister Louise Upston said the latest figures showed growing international demand for New Zealand and would support tourism businesses, jobs and regional economies.
She said Australia’s record visitor numbers were particularly encouraging, given it remains New Zealand’s largest source of international tourists.
The figures also highlight changing travel patterns, with record annual arrivals from countries including Singapore, while resident travel from destinations such as the Cook Islands, Vietnam, Tonga and Sri Lanka reached new highs.
Overall, New Zealand recorded 3.69 million overseas visitor arrivals in the year to July 2026, up 305,000 from the previous year.
