The tables compare travel between New Zealand and five countries (Australia, China, Japan, the UK and the USA) in 2005 and 2015, showing international visitor arrivals to New Zealand and New Zealand residents’ short-term departures.
Overall, Australia was the main travel partner in both years for both arrivals and departures. Total numbers increased over the period, especially in travel involving China. However, arrivals from Japan and the UK fell.
In terms of international visitors to New Zealand, Australia had by far the highest figures, rising from about 885,600 in 2005 to around 1,372,100 in 2015. China showed the fastest growth, increasing sharply from about 98,800 to over 403,000. By contrast, visitors from Japan fell from roughly 143,400 to 94,800, and arrivals from the UK decreased from about 289,100 to 214,200. The USA showed moderate growth, rising from around 224,100 to 262,000. Overall visitor arrivals increased from about 2.38 million to 3.34 million.
For New Zealand residents travelling abroad, Australia was again the most popular destination, with numbers rising from about 923,100 in 2005 to nearly 1,139,900 in 2015. Travel to China and Japan also increased, from around 51,200 to 88,400 for China and from about 17,400 to nearly 29,800 for Japan. Departures to the UK rose slightly, while travel to the USA almost doubled, from about 87,200 to 176,500. In total, departures increased from roughly 1.86 million to 2.42 million over the ten-year period.