7 days ago
International visitor numbers back to 93% of pre-Covid figures
Bookings at Department of Conservation huts, campsites and Great Walks brought in more than $13 million last summer.
Aoraki Mount Cook is one of the most popular national parks.
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The department's latest visitor insights showed almost 670,000 bednights were booked between December and February - a 12 percent increase on the previous year - with revenue up by more than 18 percent.
Department of Conservation heritage and visitors director Catherine Wilson said landscapes and scenery remained top attractions for international visitors and short walks were still the most popular outdoor activity across the board.
"Over summer, international visitor numbers were back to 93 percent of pre-Covid figures with more than 50 percent heading to a national park during their visit," she said.
"Huts and campsite fees ensure people make a fair contribution when they stay in these places and help keep facilities available into the future."
Fiordland and Aoraki Mount Cook were the two most popular national parks.
"Almost 75 percent of international visitors enjoy walks or tramps during their time in New Zealand and 99 percent rated New Zealand's natural scenery as good or very good," Wilson said.
Coastal areas and marine reserves were also popular with New Zealanders, but not without problems, she said.
"Sadly, there was also persistent illegal fishing or collecting shellfish in marine reserves with 101 confirmed offences and 79 infringements between October 2024 to March 2025."
The reserves Te Whanganui-o-Hei on the Coromandel Peninsula, Horoirangi in Tasman Bay, and Long Bay-Okura in Auckland saw the highest number of offences.
"This behaviour is truly disappointing, and we've seen wider issues across the country this summer. This includes dogs attacking wildlife, people driving through endangered river-bird colonies and irresponsible camping harming vulnerable natural areas like alpine wetlands," Wilson said.
The department's data showed almost 60,000 people hiked a Great Walk between December and February, 60 percent of whom were New Zealanders.
Outside of the Great Walks, more than 450,000 bednights were booked at campsites and 70,000 in huts over this period.
