Describing the latest currency movements as something of a mixed bag for his members, Mr McGowan said many Australian tourists would have booked and paid for their holidays months ago and would be committed to travelling across the Tasman.
However, those who were now considering a winter skiing holiday in Queenstown could be looking at other options, particularly if the Australian and New Zealand dollars continued to fall against the United States currency.
''We will have to keep an eye on the number of direct flights coming to Queenstown from Australia. There may be some spin-off from Americans coming here, because of their dollar rising against ours, but there are no direct flights from the US into Queenstown.''
However, increased flights between New Zealand and the US usually meant more tourists heading to Queenstown at some stage of their holidays, he said.
The major concern of the parity discussion between the transtasman currencies was the underpinning of the Australian economy.
A drop in the price and demand for Australian-mined iron ore had meant a major change in the make-up of the Australian economy.
''The Reserve Bank is keeping our interest rates higher here, to try and stop the housing situation in Auckland.''
In Australia, the Reserve Bank was considering cutting rates to stimulate the economy, he said.
New Zealanders were returning home and the economy in New Zealand was becoming attractive for migrants.
Mr McGowan said the dry summer meant a higher kill of cattle for farmers. A lower dollar would help exporters, although the price for beef in US dollar terms had fallen from recent highs.
Mr McGowan was in Te Anau this week and had been talking to tourist operators, accommodation providers and restaurant operators. All had noted how busy they were late in the season. This week, many places were still ''relatively full'', with good restaurant spends.
''It's been a really good season.''
Labour finance spokesman Grant Robertson said the dollar's near-parity with the Australian currency meant some tourists would have cheaper Gold Coast holidays but New Zealand incomes would stay lower for longer, making it harder for many to afford the trip.
New Zealanders wanted to earn more but to do that the country needed to sell quality products for good prices overseas.
A kiwi dollar equal to the Australian would hold back exporters and incomes, he said.
''There's no point in being able to spend relatively more money at Surfers Paradise if you don't earn enough to save for the air fare.
''The real parity we need to work towards is parity of incomes. That's when to have a parity party.''
