Tourism Minister Paula Bennett said the new agreement would focus on attracting high-value Chinese visitors who stayed longer, spent more and travelled independently.
The agreement was announced as part of the talks held between Prime Minister Bill English and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang.
China was New Zealand's second largest visitor market and a key driver of economic growth and cultural understanding for both countries, Mrs Bennett said.
The agreement had the potential to add $1.7billion a year of Chinese visitor spending in New Zealand.
The focus was to encourage tourists to visit outside of the peak season and to explore the regions, as well as most ``iconic destinations'', she said.
Transport Minister Simon Bridges also announced an increase in the number of flights allowed between New Zealand and China. Both New Zealand and China airlines could now operate 59 passenger services per week, up from 49.
China was New Zealand's second-largest source of visitors after Australia and it was important there were appropriate agreements in place to support that, he said.
The amendment would also allow additional airlines to enter the market, ensuring a competitive environment benefiting New Zealand and Chinese travellers.
``Chinese airlines can now operate between airports in New Zealand during the course of their international service, allowing airports that do not receive flights by Chinese airlines the opportunity to do so.''
Five Chinese airlines currently operated to New Zealand and a sixth, Sichuan Airlines, would enter the market in June.
Arrivals from China in 2016 were 421,000 - an increase of 12%, or 54,000, from 2015.
