Early Edition with Kate Hawkesby

There’s confidence tourism spending will soar even more.  Stats NZ data shows tourism spending hit $46.6 billion in the year to March 2025, up 3.3%.  International visitors spent $18.1 billion – a 7% jump.  Tourism Minister Louise Upston told Ryan Bridge Chinese arrivals remain below pre-Covid levels but have surged recently, driven by last year’s policy changes.  She says one is allowing visitors with an Australian visa into New Zealand, which has had a significant impact.  LISTEN ABOVE  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.