Chinese Visitors via Australia: NZeTA Trial for Groups

Short answer: Under a 12-month trial that began in early November 2025, eligible Chinese passport holders travelling from Australia with a valid Australian visa can enter New Zealand with an NZeTA instead of a New Zealand visitor visa. Because the trial period ends in early November 2026, Explera DMC New Zealand checks its status with Immigration New Zealand before quoting.

This matters for Australia and New Zealand combination programmes, where a group from China visits Australia first and then flies across the Tasman.

What does the trial allow?

Immigration New Zealand's fact sheet sets out the rules. To be eligible, visitors must:

Hold a Chinese passport.
Hold a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa. The trial does not apply to people who are only transiting through Australia.
Travel from Australia to New Zealand on each occasion.
Have an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority).

Eligible visitors can stay in New Zealand for up to three months. Immigration New Zealand said in June 2025 that an NZeTA is generally processed within 72 hours, and that it costs less to apply for than a visitor visa.

An aircraft wing above the clouds, seen from a cabin window

What does it mean for a group?

Routing matters. The trial only helps if the group flies to New Zealand from Australia. A group flying directly from China still needs a New Zealand visitor visa.
Check every passport. Each traveller needs a valid Australian visa of an eligible type. A traveller who only transits Australia is not covered.
Check the dates. The trial runs for 12 months from early November 2025. For travel after early November 2026, confirm with Immigration New Zealand whether it has been extended before you rely on it.
Keep a visa fallback. If a traveller is not eligible, or the trial has ended, allow time for a visitor visa application.

Travellers checking a departures board at an airport

How Explera DMC New Zealand can help

We plan the New Zealand part of Australia and New Zealand programmes, including transfers from the trans-Tasman flight. See our entry requirements guide, our group visitor visa note, our New Zealand DMC page for China and our New Zealand DMC page for Australia.

FAQ

Who can use the trial? Chinese passport holders with a valid Australian visitor, work, student or family visa who travel from Australia to New Zealand and hold an NZeTA.

How long can they stay in New Zealand? Up to three months.

Does it cover a group flying directly from China? No. The trial only applies to travel from Australia to New Zealand.

When does the trial end? It runs for 12 months from early November 2025. Check its status with Immigration New Zealand before quoting travel after early November 2026.