Tourists in the South have cost the government nearly $3 million in ACC payouts in the past two years due to injuries sustained while visiting the country.
The country’s no-fault accident insurance scheme stipulates that a visitor should receive recovery for injuries as much as local employees, but the issue has become increasingly prevalent in parts of the country, as an influx of tourists is being felt in the South.
In 2024, there were 8575 new claims by visitors, while there had been 7035 claims lodged last year up to the end of the October.
This was a major jump from the Covid-affected years of 2021 and 2022, where there were 1167 and 3651 new claims lodged respectively.
The largest number of claims for 2024 and last year came from the Otago region with 3406 and 3272 claims respectively, nearly double its closest rival, the Auckland region.
In total, ACC paid out more than $5.38m in 2024 and $4.85m up to October to visiting claimants — about a third of those payouts occurred in Otago.
WellSouth chief executive Andrew Swanson-Dobbs said the public should not be alarmed about this development.
"Queenstown Lakes and Central Otago has high sports and outdoors accident rates, with its abundance of biking, skiing, water sports, and other adventure activities.
"While operators must work to reduce accidents, they will still happen, and we can only ensure there’s help available when accidents do happen.
Mr Swanson-Dobbs said in the Queenstown Lakes area, general practices were well-equipped to handle the types of accidents typical to the area.
They were particularly well-resourced treating winter sports injuries, while they were also backed up by the rural hospitals in Queenstown and Clyde. "Likewise, there is comprehensive physiotherapy provision.
"So, I don't think they are an excessive burden at primary care level in this particular area."
The figures showed the most common reason for a claim was sustained injuries in sporting activities, with 3132 in 2024, and 3004 to October last year, while specific claims for walking or running came second with 1252 in 2024 and just a shade under 1000 to October last year.
Destination Queenstown and Lake Wānaka Tourism chief executive Mat Woods said Queenstown Lakes remained one of the most popular places to visit in New Zealand — roughly half of all international holiday visitors come to this region.
"People aren't just sightseeing, they're actively engaging with the environment, through skiing, biking, hiking, participating in sporting events such as the Queenstown Marathon and Challenge Wānaka, and many other activities.
"Unfortunately, there will always be accidents and injuries, but both the number of ACC claims and the cost are relatively minor when compared to the number of visitors and the economic benefits they bring to the region, its residents and businesses."
Although visiting ACC claims cost about $1.5m a year in Otago, international visitor spend across Otago on cards was $750m, Mr Woods said.
"That captures around a third of actual spend — it doesn't capture cash or online transactions. Queenstown's card spend was $534.4m."
