Short answer: Stats NZ counted 248,700 overseas visitor arrivals in August 2026, up 18,400 on August 2025 and 99 per cent of August 2019. Australia supplied about half of them, and China added the most visitors of any market. Explera DMC New Zealand reads each monthly release to plan rooms and transport ahead of demand.
The figures come from Stats NZ's International travel release for August 2026, published on 14 October 2026.
What did the August 2026 figures show?
- 248,700 overseas visitor arrivals in August 2026, up 18,400 (about 8 per cent) on August 2025.
- 99 per cent of August 2019, when there were 251,100 arrivals, so August is now close to its pre-pandemic level.
- 3.71 million overseas visitors in the year to August 2026, up 307,000 on the year before.
Which markets grew?
- China grew the most, by about 6,500 visitors on August 2025, and made up about 11 per cent of arrivals.
- Australia grew by about 5,800 to 125,600, a record for an August month and about 51 per cent of all arrivals.
- The United States grew by about 2,000 and made up about 6 per cent of arrivals.
- Taiwan (5,800) and Singapore (4,600) also set August records, and Malaysia grew by about 1,300.
What does it mean for group planning?
- More competition for beds. Arrivals are close to 2019 levels, so we hold rooms early in Queenstown, Rotorua and Auckland for peak months.
- Watch the Asian markets. Growth from China, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia adds demand for Mandarin-speaking guides and coaches in the same weeks. We confirm guide languages at quotation.
- Plan Australian groups around school holidays. With half of all arrivals from Australia, its school holidays shape what is available.
- Date every figure. Monthly data can change, so we quote the month and the release with every number we use.
How Explera DMC New Zealand can help
We plan group programmes for every source market. See our Australian groups guide, our Chinese visitors via Australia notes, our group booking lead times and our New Zealand DMC for China page.
FAQ
How many overseas visitors arrived in New Zealand in August 2026? Stats NZ counted 248,700, up 18,400 on August 2025.
Is New Zealand back to pre-pandemic visitor numbers? August 2026 was 99 per cent of August 2019. In the year to August 2026 there were 3.71 million overseas visitors.
Which market is New Zealand's largest? Australia, with 125,600 arrivals in August 2026, about half of the total.
Which market grew the most? China, by about 6,500 visitors on August 2025.
Sources
- International travel: August 2026, Stats NZ, 14 October 2026
- Overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand: August 2026 (Excel data), Stats NZ, 14 October 2026
Talk to the trade desk
Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal b2b.expleradmc.com.
