Local businesses in New Zealand's top holiday spots have something to celebrate.
Local businesses in New Zealand’s top holiday spots have something to celebrate—and they’ve got domestic tourists to thank! According to ANZ’s consumer transactions data, domestic travellers outspent international visitors in December 2024 - January 2025, proving just how valuable Kiwi holidaymakers are to tourism-dependent regions.
Where Kiwis Spent Big
The biggest winners of the summer tourist spend were Queenstown-Lakes, Thames-Coromandel, and the Far North—three iconic holiday destinations that attracted the lion’s share of domestic spending.
Travelers from Auckland, Wellington, and Canterbury led the charge, pouring $13 million into Thames-Coromandel, $11 million into the Far North, and $9 million into Queenstown over the holiday season.
Thames-Coromandel saw a massive boost, especially from Aucklanders, reinforcing its status as the ultimate beach getaway for those escaping the City of Sails. Meanwhile, Queenstown—always a favourite for both locals and international visitors—welcomed domestic tourists from nearly every urban center.
Where Kiwis Love to Travel
Aucklanders love to explore all corners of New Zealand, but those from Canterbury and Dunedin tend to stick to the South Island, favoring destinations within driving distance for longer stays.
Christchurch residents alone spent $3.4 million in Queenstown-Lakes—with Queenstown and Wanaka as their go-to spots—and $2.7 million in Tasman, confirming the long-held belief that Cantabrians flood Kaiteriteri over New Year’s!
Why This Matters for Local Businesses
The data highlights just how important it is for local businesses to be prepared for seasonal influxes of Kiwis from across the country. With domestic tourists spending big, it’s clear that local businesses could be tapping into this trend and catering to the Kiwis who are fuelling their success. Whether it’s Aucklanders heading for the beach, Cantabrians road-tripping to the lakes, or Wellingtonians hopping islands, one thing is certain—domestic tourism is thriving once again.
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The Sauce by ANZ™ insights will be provided in a report prepared by Dot Data Limited (Dot). The source of the data may impact the relevance or significance of any insights. Spend data is estimated based on card transactions made by ANZ card holders. Depending on the source of businesses addresses, the address may not reflect the actual or all the trading locations of a business. The insights are provided for information purposes only. We believe the sources of data to be reliable, but don’t warrant that they are accurate, complete, or suit your intended use. You should seek professional advice about your circumstances. To the extent the law allows, we don’t accept any responsibility if you use or rely on the insights.