The latest Stats NZ’s data shows that in 2024 New Zealand-residents returned from 2.99 million overseas trip–an increase of 310,000 trips on the 2023 year.
However, the overall result was still below 2019 levels, which saw New Zealand-resident traveller arrivals at 3.10 million for 2024.
Australia continued its reign as the most popular destination, with 1.23 million Kiwis having spent time across the Tasman in 2024, up 197,000 trips on 2023.
Again, the figures remain below 2019 levels (of Kiwis taking around 1.27 million Tasman trips).
Also proving popular in 2024 was Fiji (with 212,000 Kiwi arrivals), as well as the US (with 167,000 trips), China (with 150,000 Kiwi arrivals) and UK (at 118,000 arrivals). In fact Fiji and China actually surpassed 2019 visitation levels to achieve new Kiwi annual visitation records. Significant numbers of Kiwis also visited the Cook Islands and India, at 108,000 and 101,000, respectively.
Stats NZ international travel statistics spokesperson Sarah Drake attributes the growth to an increase in air capacity—pointing out that there were 2200 more international flights to New Zealand operated in 2024 than in 2023. This, she says, included 1700 more direct flights from Australia, China, and the US combined.
. . . Strong End
It was a strong end for New Zealand-resident traveller arrivals with Kiwis returning from 187,900 overseas trips in the month of Dec alone, up 16,200 from Dec 2023.
The Dec 2024 figures are 97% of the 194,500 Kiwi arrivals recorded for Dec 2019—which is better than international arrivals, which were at 89% pre-pandemic levels in Dec.
Of the New Zealand-resident traveller arrivals in Dec, 49% were from Australia and 6% from Fiji, while the US, China and India each accounted for 5%. The Cook Islands, Samoa and Japan also proved popular, at 3% each.
The biggest changes compared to 2023 were in arrivals from Australia which was up 11,900, as well as China and Indonesia, up 2100 and 1600, respectively. See details HERE.
