WELLINGTON, April 14 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's international visitor numbers continued to rise toward pre-pandemic levels, with strong growth from China over the Chinese New Year, latest statistics showed Tuesday.
Stats NZ data show 408,100 overseas visitors arrived in New Zealand in February 2026, 53,700 more than the same month last year, with the largest increase coming from China, which rose 214 percent year on year.
The 61,100 arrivals from China in February 2026 was the highest for a month since the record 68,900 in February 2018, according to the statistics department.
The increase partly reflects the later Chinese New Year in February and new travel rules allowing eligible Chinese passport holders to enter from Australia with a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority instead of a visa, said Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston.
Annual foreign arrivals reached 3.58 million in the year to February, 92 percent of pre-COVID figures, statistics showed.
"More international visitors mean more customers for our businesses and ultimately more jobs," Upston was quoted as saying in a press release. She noted that her ministry continues to work with tourism operators to sustain momentum amid global fuel price volatility over the Middle East situation. ■
