China is seeing a significant surge in visitors from New Zealand, driven by a 30-day visa-free policy, expanded air routes, and simplified digital payment options.
According to Statistics New Zealand, the number of trips made by New Zealanders to China as their primary destination stood at 167,000 in 2025, while figures for the first seven months of this year alone have already exceeded 128,000.
The sharp rise highlights how the 30-day visa-free policy is reshaping outbound travel patterns, encouraging both first-time visits and frequent returns.
"Since the visa-free policy was introduced, we can feel that demand for travel to China has been steadily rising, with particularly significant growth this year," said Li Ruiqin, managing director of China Travel Service in New Zealand.
Air travel capacity between China and New Zealand has continued to expand this year, with airlines including Hainan Airlines, China Eastern Airlines and Air China announcing to increase the number of flights between the two countries.
With more flight routes added and travel options expanded for New Zealanders, China's improved support for tourism services, including easier payments, language assistance and more convenient transportation, has become an important factor shaping the overall tourist experience.
"We've all got translator on our phones, but most of all, the way you pay for services, the way you pay for your breakfast, your dinner, if you've got WeChat or you've got Alipay, it is just so simple," said David Cunningham Carter, former Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives.
China sees sharp rise in New Zealand tourists amid visa-free policy, expanded flight routes
China sees sharp rise in New Zealand tourists amid visa-free policy, expanded flight routes
