Gateway city: Overseas visitors deliver billions to Auckland economy

•    $2.8 billion spend in Auckland in the past year by visitors from Australia, the United States and China (year ending March 2026)
•    $7.6 million a day is spent in Auckland by visitors from those three markets
•    2.4 million overseas visitors came through AKL, up 5% YoY for the year-ending March 2026, led by Australia, United States and China.
•    65% of all overseas visitor arrivals at AKL in year-ending March 2026 came from those three markets combined.
 
Tourists from Australia, United States, and China – New Zealand’s three largest inbound markets making up 65% of total visitor arrivals at AKL in year-ending March 2026 – are spending around $7.6 million a day in Auckland, contributing $2.8 billion annually to the regional economy.*

Auckland Airport Chief Executive Carrie Hurihanganui said the figures highlight Auckland’s growing role as both New Zealand’s international gateway and a destination in its own right.

“While we recognise this data doesn’t reflect the fuel price escalation that has played out since late February making the forward look less certain, the fundamentals for our city remain strong.

“International visitors aren’t just passing through Auckland. They’re choosing to spend time here, eating out, shopping, staying in hotels and exploring the city before travelling further around the country.

“That visitor spend supports thousands of Auckland jobs and businesses, from major hospitality operators through to small tourism providers and local retailers.

“Like other globally successful gateway cities, Auckland benefits from the energy and economic activity visitors bring. With investment in projects like the City Rail Link, the NZICC, waterfront development, new and upgraded hotels, and airport infrastructure, Auckland is becoming a city that can welcome more visitors while staying vibrant and liveable for locals too.

“Auckland offers a combination of harbours, food, culture, events and natural landscapes, and much of it is within easy reach of the airport and city centre.”

Tātaki Auckland Unlimited Director Destination, Annie Dundas said Auckland’s international profile had continued to strengthen as the city reconnected with key visitor markets.

“Over the past few years, we’ve been focused on growing Auckland’s visibility in priority international markets and showcasing the city as a destination worth spending time in, not simply a place to arrive before travelling elsewhere.

“What’s encouraging is that we’re now seeing more visitors choosing to spend longer in Auckland and engaging with a broader range of experiences across the region.”
 
Strong air connectivity powering top visitor markets
Excellent direct flight connectivity and airline seat capacity have been driving growth from New Zealand’s largest visitor markets – Australia, the United States and China.

Over the recent summer, between late October 2025 and late March 2026, Australia made up 42% of seat capacity at Auckland Airport up 5% on the previous year followed by the United States making up 13% of seat capacity, flat on the previous year, and China made up 10% of seat capacity, up 12% on the previous year.

Ms Hurihanganui said capacity was not only supporting tourism growth but delivering results from targeted campaigns to rebuild key markets.

“International seat capacity overall at Auckland Airport is still around 7% below pre-pandemic levels, but New Zealand remains well connected to major Australian, North American and Chinese cities.

“Travellers have more choice than ever, and destinations are competing hard for their holiday dollar. Easy, direct connections, combined with strong destination marketing, play a major role in where people choose to travel.

“Clearly the escalation in fuel price is an issue we’re monitoring closely. We’ve seen airlines trim some capacity and consolidate flights since early March, but most are using ticket prices and fuel surcharges to manage through the challenge.

“What we’re hearing from airlines is that they remain optimistic about New Zealand’s appeal as a destination.”
 
Australia leading recovery as capacity and campaigns align
Australia remains New Zealand’s largest visitor market, and the strongest contributor to recent growth, supported by a lift in trans-Tasman capacity and marketing campaigns, Australians have been spending around $1.5 million in Auckland each day.

“In the past year, we’ve seen a step change in connectivity across the Tasman, with airlines adding more flights and seats into Auckland,” Ms Hurihanganui said.

“That’s down to collaboration between airlines, the airport and tourism partners to rebuild demand and keep New Zealand front of mind for Australian travellers.

“What we’re seeing now is that investment paying off, with stronger demand returning, competitive airfares, and more Australians choosing Auckland and New Zealand as a holiday destination.”

In the year ending March 2026, seat capacity between Australia and Auckland has grown 4%, driven by 11 additional Jetstar and Qantas flights per week, supporting a 9% increase in Australian holidaymakers.
 
United States market drives high-value tourism
American visitors are contributing around $5 million a day to the Auckland economy, reflecting strong demand for travel to New Zealand fed by 6 airlines flying direct from 6 major US cities.

Ms Hurihanganui said the US market continued to deliver high-value visitors seeking premium, experience-led travel.

“We have seen a 1% growth in arrivals from the US over the past year, and they remain among our highest-spending visitors. New Zealand is a bucket list destination, and travellers are treating their trip as a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

“That’s translating into longer stays, more premium travel choices, and visitors spending time both in Auckland and in destinations right across the country.”
 
China market update
Growth from China is accelerating following recent government visa changes, with strong increases in both direct arrivals and visitors travelling via Australia, with Chinese tourists spending around $1.1 million per day in Auckland.

“We’ve seen some clear shifts in the Chinese market over the past year,” Ms Hurihanganui said.

“Changes to visa settings have supported a 17% increase in visitors arriving directly from China, alongside a 147% rise in those travelling via Australia across the November to March summer months, highlighting the growing popularity of combining Australia and New Zealand in a single trip. Auckland remains the main gateway for Chinese visitors to New Zealand, with total Chinese arrivals up 20% year-on-year.
 
Current market impacts
Across March and April, the months since conflict in the Middle East disrupted fuel supplies, airlines have trimmed international capacity, but seat availability remains 1% higher than the same two months last year.

“As fuel costs have spiked, airlines have responded as expected. We have also lost some capacity with the reduction of Emirates services and the pause until June of the regular Qatar flights,” said Ms Hurihanganui.

“But we are seeing traveller demand holding up. Those two months saw 27% more Chinese, 8% more US, and 4% more Australian travellers – evidence that New Zealand is still a desirable place to visit.”

March and April there were 1.77 million international travellers at Auckland Airport, up 4% on March and April 2025, and load factors up 3 percentage points to 86% on the same months last year.