Chinese Tourist Arrivals in New Zealand Hit Eight-Year High as Travel Rebounds

Chinese visitor arrivals to New Zealand reached 61,100 in February 2026, the highest monthly figure since the record 68,900 set in February 2018, according to Statistics New Zealand. The year-on-year increase of 214% — or 41,700 additional visitors — made China the single largest contributor to New Zealand's international tourism recovery.

The surge partly reflects the later timing of Chinese New Year in 2026, which fell on February 17 compared to January 29 in 2025. But structural factors are also at play. Since November 2025, eligible Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia have been able to enter New Zealand using a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) instead of a full visitor visa, under a 12-month trial programme. Direct air capacity between China and New Zealand has recovered to 103% of pre-COVID levels, well ahead of the 89% recovery for New Zealand's overall international capacity.

Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston noted that annual foreign arrivals reached 3.58 million in the year to February, representing 92% of pre-pandemic levels. "More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs," Upston said. The spending profile of Chinese travellers is also evolving, with a marked shift from luxury goods shopping toward experience-based consumption — nature, wellness, adventure activities, and culinary tourism.

新西兰统计局数据显示，2026年2月中国赴新访客达61,100人次，创下自2018年2月（68,900人次）以来的单月最高纪录。214%的同比增幅——即新增41,700名访客——使中国成为新西兰国际旅游业复苏的最大单一贡献者。

这一增长部分反映了2026年春节时间较晚（2月17日，而2025年为1月29日）。但结构性因素同样在发挥作用。自2025年11月起，作为12个月试行计划的一部分，符合条件的中国护照持有人从澳大利亚前往新西兰时，可使用新西兰电子旅行授权（NZeTA）代替完整的访客签证。中新之间的直航运力已恢复至疫情前水平的103%，远超新西兰国际运力整体恢复率89%。

旅游与酒店业部长Louise Upston指出，截至2月的年度海外访客已达358万人次，恢复至疫情前水平的92%。"更多国际访客意味着更多客户、更多就业。"中国游客的消费特征也在演变，从奢侈品购物明显转向体验型消费——自然风光、健康养生、探险活动和美食旅游。

Source: MOFCOM Auckland / Chinese Herald

Comment:

The Chinese tourism recovery story is genuinely good news for New Zealand — but it comes with important caveats. The NZeTA transit trial from Australia has demonstrably worked, and making it permanent should be a policy priority. However, the recovery rests on shifting geopolitical sands. Middle East instability has pushed up jet fuel prices, and major carriers including Air New Zealand are trimming capacity. The Chinese traveller of 2026 is also not the Chinese traveller of 2019: less interested in coach tours and luxury shopping, more interested in self-drive itineraries, boutique lodges, and immersive experiences. The tourism industry that captures this new demand profile will be the one that prospers.

中国旅游市场的复苏对新西兰来说无疑是真正的好消息——但其中也蕴含着重要的警示。从澳大利亚过境的NZeTA试行政策已经证明有效，将其永久化应成为政策优先事项。然而，复苏的根基并不稳固。中东局势推高了航空燃油价格，包括新西兰航空在内的主要航司正在缩减运力。2026年的中国旅行者也已不同于2019年：对大巴团和奢侈品购物的兴趣减少，对自驾、精品民宿和沉浸式体验的需求增加。能够捕捉这一新需求特征的旅游业者，才是最终的赢家。