New Zealand Tourism Soars in October 2025: Record-Breaking Arrivals from Australia, US, and China Signal Strong Recovery Post-Pandemic

Published on December 10, 2025

In October 2025, New Zealand saw a notable increase in both overseas visitor and New Zealand-resident traveler arrivals, signaling a strong recovery in the tourism sector post-pandemic. The data reveals shifts in travel patterns, reflecting a steady demand for travel and tourism. The results also highlight New Zealand’s appeal to travelers from various regions, including Australia, the United States, and China, as well as the emerging trends in border crossings and digital travel card implementation.

Overseas Visitor Arrivals Show Significant Growth

In October 2025, New Zealand welcomed 262,700 overseas visitors, marking an increase of 22,500 compared to October 2024. The biggest growth was seen in visitors from Australia, which rose by 13,500, and the United States, which increased by 800 visitors. Other notable increases were recorded in arrivals from China (up 1,500), Korea (up 1,300), Taiwan (up 1,200), and Hong Kong (up 900).

The 121,100 arrivals from Australia in October 2025 set a record for the month, coinciding with the Australian school holiday period. Australia continues to be a major source of visitors to New Zealand, representing 47% of all overseas arrivals in October 2025, up from 43% in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. The total number of overseas visitor arrivals in October 2025 represents 93% of the 283,800 visitors recorded in the same month of 2019, indicating a strong recovery.

Visitor Breakdown by Region

The distribution of overseas visitors in October 2025 saw several key trends. Of the total 262,700 visitors, 47% came from Australia, followed by the United States with 9%, China with 7%, the United Kingdom with 5%, and India with 3%. While the numbers from Australia and the United States showed strong performance, the share from China has decreased slightly compared to 2019, where it represented 10%. The rise in visitors from India, at 3%, indicates the growing importance of the Indian market for New Zealand tourism.

New Zealand-Resident Traveler Arrivals Show Slight Decrease

In contrast, the number of New Zealand-resident travelers in October 2025 was 316,100, a decrease of 3,200 compared to the previous year. However, this decrease was balanced by significant growth in arrivals from Australia (up 3,200) and several other markets, including Singapore (up 1,200), Japan (up 1,100), and India (up 1,000).

Notably, New Zealand-resident traveler arrivals from China reached a record 15,500 for the month of October, followed by the Cook Islands with 12,100, and Japan with 10,900. These increases indicate New Zealand’s strong ties with these destinations and the increasing mobility of its residents. Despite the overall decrease in arrivals, New Zealand-resident traveler arrivals in October 2025 were 97% of the 326,400 seen in October 2019, reflecting a stable level of outbound travel post-pandemic.

Annual Visitor Arrivals Show Impressive Growth

For the year ending October 2025, New Zealand saw a total of 3.45 million overseas visitor arrivals, a growth of 205,000 compared to the previous year. Key contributors to this growth were visitors from Australia (up 153,000), the United States (up 20,000), the United Kingdom (up 20,000), and Japan (up 10,000). The United States set a new record for the highest number of overseas arrivals, with 382,000 visitors in the October 2025 year, a milestone that indicates the growing appeal of New Zealand as a tourist destination for Americans.

Similarly, the number of New Zealand-resident traveler arrivals reached a record high of 3.07 million, an increase of 101,000 from the previous year. The largest growth was observed in arrivals from Australia (up 69,000), China (up 20,000), Japan (up 18,000), Indonesia (up 15,000), and India (up 15,000). These increases reflect a growing trend of New Zealanders traveling to nearby countries and emerging markets.

Border Crossings Show Steady Recovery

In October 2025, New Zealand experienced 1.12 million border crossings, a slight increase from 1.07 million in the same month the previous year. This total included 589,200 arrivals and 530,500 departures. Compared to October 2019, before the pandemic, the total number of border crossings was 96%, which is a strong indicator of New Zealand’s recovery in international travel.

The increase in border crossings, especially with the rise in overseas visitor arrivals, highlights the ongoing demand for travel to and from New Zealand. The positive trend indicates a continuing return to pre-pandemic travel levels, with increasing numbers of both international and New Zealand-resident travelers crossing borders.

Digital Travel Cards Becoming Standard

A significant development in New Zealand’s travel procedures is the growing adoption of the digital arrival card (New Zealand Traveller Declaration – NZTD). Introduced in mid-July 2023, the NZTD has gradually replaced the paper arrival card. By October 2025, just over two-thirds of travelers completed the digital declaration, with Christchurch, Wellington, Queenstown, and Auckland airports now equipped to handle the digital responses.

This digital shift offers a more streamlined and efficient border process, enabling faster processing times for travelers. The implementation of the NZTD has not affected the range of statistical information available for analysis of New Zealand’s inbound and outbound tourism sectors.

Conclusion: A Positive Outlook for New Zealand’s Tourism Sector

New Zealand’s tourism sector has shown impressive growth in both overseas visitor arrivals and New Zealand-resident traveler movements in October 2025. The steady increase in arrivals from key markets such as Australia, the United States, and China, along with the record-breaking numbers for some destinations, signals a positive recovery trajectory for New Zealand’s travel and tourism industry.

As the global travel landscape continues to evolve, New Zealand’s tourism sector remains resilient, benefiting from strong regional ties, increased outbound travel, and an efficient border processing system. The continued adoption of digital travel cards will also play a crucial role in enhancing the travel experience for visitors and residents alike, ensuring that New Zealand stays competitive as a premier travel destination.