The growing importance of China to the New Zealand economy was emphasised in a release yesterday by Auckland International Airport, which showed a sharp growth in Chinese visitor numbers in the current financial year.
China is now New Zealand's second-largest export market behind Australia, which, in turn, has China as its largest export market.
Figures provided by Auckland Airport showed Chinese visitor arrivals grew by 31.5% in the past 12 months, compared with the previous corresponding period.
Ten of the past 12 months had resulted in double-digit arrivals growth from China, including 44.4% growth in May 2012 compared with May last year.
China was the second-largest inbound market behind Australia for the third month in a row, with nearly 4500 more arrivals than the third-placed United States.
Visitor numbers from both the US and United Kingdom had fallen in the year to date. The US was down 2.5% and the UK down 1.4%.
UK visitor numbers of 180,643 still outnumbered those from China at 159,259.
Craigs Investment Partners broker Chris Timms said the figures reflected the hard work being done by Auckland Airport in opening up new routes, particularly the Auckland-Cairns-China route.
But also, the figures showed the benefits of the growing middle class in China, which had more discretionary wealth it was prepared to use on travel.
The growing visitor numbers could be seen as a reflection of the New Zealand economy in terms of growth.
"We are having an increased exposure to China at the expense of the more traditional market of the UK. I would not be surprised to see visitor numbers from China overtake those from the UK."
The other figures of interest were passenger numbers through Queenstown Airport, in which Auckland Airport has a stake, Mr Timms said.
International passenger numbers were up nearly 20% in the year to 183,724, while total domestic numbers climbed nearly 10% to 791,000.
Mr Timms said the rise in international numbers also reflected the work Auckland Airport had carried out in making it easier for people to fly to New Zealand and on to Queenstown.
There was criticism when the Auckland company took its stake in Queenstown Airport, with some arguing Queenstown would attract international visitors on its own.
"I don't think that would have been the case. Auckland Airport is giving people more opportunities to fly directly to Auckland and the chance to move easily along to Queenstown."
The May monthly figures provided by Auckland Airport showed domestic passenger numbers were strong in the month across all airports, with growth in Auckland (4.4%), Queenstown (13.6%), Cairns (5.4%) and Mackay (18.9%).
