Major North Island tourism alliance aims to boost international visitors
'As the gateway airport for many visitors to New Zealand, we're really proud to come together with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, RotoruaNZ and the other regional tourism organisations to develop and support this partnership.'
She said that the partnership builds on the work Auckland Airport has already done with Tātaki Auckland Unlimited and RotoruaNZ over the past year to attract back more Australian visitors with a dual region North Island destination proposition.
Hurihanganui believes that effort is already flowing through to an increase in Australian visitation, with the number of Australian tourists growing from 83% of pre-pandemic volumes last February to 92% one year on, equating to roughly an additional 110,000 tourists.
As of 2025, Australian arrivals make up 42% of all visitor arrivals to New Zealand.
Auckland Airport chief customer officer Scott Tasker said: 'It's about working together and doing things together with a unified proposition and combining resources, particularly in travel-focused channels. The initial trade activity will start later this year.'
That initial trade activity will take place in September in Australia with the North Island Showcase. It will see over 60 North Island tourism operators connect with key Australian travel sellers at two events in Sydney and Melbourne.
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited's Destination director Annie Dundas said the MoU was a 'big step forward' in helping to strengthen the North Island's international presence.
'The travel landscape is changing and we need to be smarter about how we show up overseas to sell our respective regions. This partnership allows us to be clearer in our proposition, which in turn will make it easier to meet the needs of our travel partners overseas and ultimately future travellers,' Dundas said.
'We see this as a massive opportunity, and we're excited to be part of this collaborative effort.'
RotoruaNZ's chief executive Andrew Wilson echoed the sentiment, believing the partnership will allow the organisations to move 'beyond competition and into collaboration'.
'This partnership is a bold and necessary step forward for the North Island's visitor economy. RotoruaNZ is proud to stand alongside our regional whānau to support a stronger, more connected North Island proposition,' Wilson said.
'This will not only help international visitors see more of what's on offer, it will encourage longer stays, more meaningful travel and deeper connections with our people and places. Together, we're making the North Island a compelling destination in its own right.'
The full list of organisations who have signed the MoU includes:
Northland Inc
Tātaki Auckland Unlimited
Destination Hauraki Coromandel
Hamilton & Waikato Tourism
Tourism Bay of Plenty
RotoruaNZ
Tairāwhiti Gisborne
Destination Great Lake Taupō
Visit Ruapehu
Venture Taranaki
Hawkes Bay Tourism
Whanganui and Partners
Central Economic Development Agency
Destination Wairarapa
WellingtonNZ
Tom Raynel is a multimedia business journalist for the Herald, covering small business, retail and tourism.
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