Visitors continued to flock to New Zealand at a record-equalling level in the February 2017 year and the month of February.
Visitor arrivals reached 3.54 million in the February year, equalling the record set in January, and up 11% from February last year.
Visitor numbers reached 380,000 in the February month, up 2% on the previous corresponding period.
Statistics New Zealand senior population statistics manager Peter Dolan said strong increases in visitor numbers from the United States and Europe were behind the overall rise in visitor arrivals. Those more than offset the large drop in visitor numbers from China.
New Zealanders set an annual record of 2.66 million overseas trips in the February year, up 10% from the February 2016 year, he said.
In the month of February, New Zealand residents left on 147,000 tips overseas, up 16% from February last year.
ASB chief economist Nick Tuffley expected tourism growth to continue this year.
There was not only the British and Irish Lions rugby tour in June, but also the World Masters Games in Auckland in April, which was predicted to bring in more than 10,000 additional tourists.
The masters inflow was not likely to be limited to Auckland. Visiting athletes and their families were expected to extend their trip once the medals had been handed out, he said.
