PHOTO: DESTINATION QUEENSTOWNFree-spending Aussies are leading the charge as an influx of tourists arriving in Christchurch spend their overseas currency on South Island attractions. Christchurch Airport is fielding 15% more international seats on in-bound flights over the four-month summer season, overall capacity increasing by 139,000 seats. KiwiRail Passenger executive general manager Tracey Goodall said the summer season had started strongly, passenger numbers continuing to grow year on year across Great Journeys New Zealand services. Destination Queenstown chief executive Mat Woods (left) and AJ Hackett Bungy New Zealand co-founder Henry van Asch. The latest Statistics NZ results show more than 262,7000 overseas visitors landed last October, up 22,500 from a year ago.

Source: Otago Daily Times January 12, 2026 16:23 UTC