Visitor arrivals to New Zealand rose 9.6% year-on-year to 248,600 in September 2025, driven largely by a surge in visitors from Australia. Australian arrivals reached 139,216 - an increase of 15,800. Gains were also recorded from Taiwan (+900), Malaysia (+600), the United Kingdom (+600), South Africa (+600) and the United States (+500). Overall, arrivals in September 2025 were 95% of the 261,800 recorded in September 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. Australians accounted for 56% of total visitors (compared with 51% in September 2019), while China contributed 8%, the United States 6%, the United Kingdom 3%, and India 3%. The data reflects a strong recovery in travel from neighboring Australia, as well as rebounds from a range of markets including the United States.