新旅行政策带动经济增长2.15亿纽币
一项针对符合条件的中国及太平洋岛国旅客的新简化旅行政策，在短短六个月内为新西兰经济带来了约2.15亿纽币收入。
该政策自2025年11月启动，是一项为期12个月的试点计划：符合条件、从澳大利亚出发的中国及太平洋护照持有人，可通过更简化的方式入境新西兰。
新西兰移民部长Erica Stanford表示，该试点“取得了巨大成功”。
她指出：
“这项试点进展非常迅速，目前已有超过92,000份申请获批，并有超过80,000名中国及太平洋旅客通过这一新通道抵达新西兰。”
她强调，这说明：
“当政府把细节工作做好、解决基础问题时，即使是小改动也能带来巨大的经济回报。”
旅游业显著增长
旅游与酒店业部长Louise Upston表示，该计划已带来明显的访客增长：
- 中国游客入境量增长超过 40%
- 试点路径带来约 2.15亿纽币经济贡献
- 旅游消费流向酒店、餐厅、咖啡馆及零售业
她表示：
“这些都是流入新西兰经济的旅游收入，意味着酒店客房被预订、咖啡馆和餐厅更加繁忙，也带动了就业和企业收入增长。”
旅游业是关键出口产业
Louise Upston指出：
- 旅游业是新西兰第二大出口产业
- 约每9个新西兰人中就有1人依赖旅游业就业
- 当前行业整体呈上升趋势
她引用统计局数据称：
- 2026年4月访客总量较去年增加 21,300人
- 其中中国游客增加 11,100人，占增长的一半以上
试点政策内容
根据试点安排：
- 符合条件的中国及太平洋岛国旅客（从澳大利亚出发）
- 可使用 NZeTA（新西兰电子旅行授权）
- 无需申请传统访客签证
费用和时间对比如下：
- 中国旅客：约 117纽币（原签证441纽币）
- 太平洋旅客：约 17纽币（原签证216纽币）
- 审批时间：最快 72小时内
- 原签证平均等待时间：约 4天
后续安排
该试点将持续12个月，结束后政府会进行全面评估，再决定是否正式推广。
在此之前，符合条件的旅客仍可继续使用NZeTA入境新西兰，以更低成本、更快速度访问新西兰。
Travellers arriving on a new, simpler travel option for eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors have already brought $215 million into New Zealand’s economy in only six months, a new analysis has found.
Since launching in November 2025, the 12‑month visa waiver trial for eligible Chinese and Pacific people travelling from Australia has made it faster and cheaper to visit New Zealand.
Immigration Minister Erica Stanford says the trial has been a runaway success.
“The trial has really taken off, with more than 92,000 requests approved so far, and more than 80,000 Chinese and Pacific travellers already arriving using the new pathway.
“It goes to show that when the Government pays attention to the details and fixes the basics, small changes can yield big results for New Zealanders.”
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says halfway through, the trial is off to a flying start.
“Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment analysis of the first six months of the 12-month trial shows it directly resulted in an increase of more than 40 per cent in Chinese visitor arrivals, with travellers on the trial pathway delivering an estimated $215 million boost to the economy.
“That’s tourism dollars flowing into the New Zealand economy. It’s people filling hotel rooms, cafes, restaurants and shops. It’s jobs and incomes for Kiwis, and it’s growth for New Zealand businesses.
“Tourism is New Zealand’s second-largest export earner and provides jobs for one in nine New Zealanders, and it’s on a positive trajectory.
“Stats NZ’s most recent data shows total visitor arrivals for the month of April were up by 21,300 on the previous year. Chinese visitors made up more than half of that with a significant increase of 11,100 from April 2025.
“It’s great to see so many people making the most of the opportunity to come and experience all we have to offer here in New Zealand. We look forward to welcoming even more visitors during the next six months of this trial.”
Decisions on next steps for the trial will be made after a full evaluation at the end of the 12-month trial period.
Until further decisions are made, eligible Chinese and Pacific visitors will be able to continue to travel to New Zealand from Australia with a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA) rather than a visitor visa.
Note to editor:
Since November 2025, eligible Chinese and Pacific Island Forum passport holders travelling to New Zealand from Australia no longer need to obtain a visitor visa. Instead, as part of the 12-month trial, they can request a New Zealand electronic Travel Authority (NZeTA).
Instead of spending $441 for a visitor visa and waiting an average of 4 days, individuals from China travelling via Australia can pay as little as $117 and have their request for an NZeTA processed in less than 72 hours. Individuals from the Pacific can pay as little as $17 instead of spending $216 for a visitor visa and waiting an average of four days.
More details on the numbers, including a breakdown of Chinese and Pacific travellers, can be found on the INZ website: Background on the NZeTA: Why it was introduced and key statistics: Immigration New Zealand
