NZ Hotels post strongest summer in two years with double-digit RevPAR growth

New Zealand hotels have delivered their strongest summer performance in two years, with double-digit RevPAR growth across December 2025 and January 2026 as events, improved air access and premium product drove results.

The latest New Zealand Hotel Performance Focus from Horwath HTL and Hotel Council Aotearoa shows national RevPAR climbed 10.2 percent over the two-month period, with January alone recording a 10.7 percent year-on-year increase — the strongest monthly uplift seen in the past two years.

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The growth was supported by a 6 percent increase in international arrivals compared with the same period last year. Australia led the rebound, up 10 percent, followed by China, up 11 percent. Total non-resident arrivals remain about 4 percent below 2019 levels, indicating the recovery is well advanced but not yet fully complete.

South Island gateways were clear beneficiaries. International arrivals through Christchurch Airport rose 16.3 percent year on year and Queenstown increased 13.8 percent, compared with Auckland’s 2.2 percent growth. Christchurch accounted for 39 percent of the incremental increase in non-resident arrivals, reinforcing its growing role as a key entry point during peak summer.

Auckland hotels reported an 11 percent RevPAR increase across December–January, driven primarily by higher occupancy while average daily rates remained broadly flat. January RevPAR reached NZD 178, the highest level ever recorded for that month and the first time in 28 months the city has exceeded pre-Covid performance. A busy events calendar, including the Jehovah’s Witnesses convention at Eden Park, two Ed Sheeran concerts and the ASB Classic tennis tournament, contributed to strong compression.

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Queenstown again led the market, setting new records with RevPAR of NZD 371 in December and NZD 369 in January. Across the two months, RevPAR grew 15.4 percent year on year, supported by a 5.2 percent increase in room nights and a 9.7 percent rise in ADR. Occupancy averaged around 86 percent, providing a solid platform for continued rate growth.

Rotorua recorded its strongest hotel results to date, with January RevPAR reaching a record NZD 195 and December ADR hitting NZD 239, signalling a continued shift towards value-driven performance. Christchurch hotels also posted strong gains, with RevPAR up 11.3 percent year on year, largely driven by a 9.7 percent lift in ADR.

The report highlights the growing impact of air connectivity, marquee events and sustained demand for upper-upscale and luxury inventory in shaping peak-season performance across New Zealand’s major markets.