- Next Fair Dates
- Sunday, 14th - Monday, 15th June 2026
Head of Sales, NZ Gift & Homeware Fairs
In September, the New Zealand government announced the arrival of a $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package to be rolled out over the next two years aimed to increase international visitors. This is more than good news for the tourism sector – it’s also a turning point for New Zealand’s retail industry.
Every international visitor that steps on our shores is not only booking accommodation or experience; they are walking into our shops, browsing our galleries, and taking home gifts that tell the story of Aotearoa.
It’s not just the big cities getting a piece of the pie, a milestone Kiwi North Partnership has also been established to drive visitors across the Tasman. This major collaboration brings together 15 North Island regional tourism organisations (RTOs) and more than 70 tourism operators in a joint effort to showcase the best of New Zealand’s North Island to Australia.
1.48 million Australian tourists arrived in New Zealand this September alone, accounting for a whopping 56% of visitors. This is an increase of 12% on last year, and the highest number of Australians to visit us since 2019. The launch of Tourism New Zealand’s global brand campaign earlier in June, advertised to 155 million people from key visitor source markets likely to be another driving factor.
More changes are being seen across our tourism market as well. Over the last year, we’ve had an increase in visitors from the USA, UK and Japan, as well as the highest ever recorded tourism numbers for the month of September for Queenstown and Christchurch.
With Air New Zealand also opening new flight routes from Christchurch to major Australian cities like Adelaide, the boom is sure to continue. Let’s go South Islanders!
“The South Island is one of the most spectacular tourism destinations in the world. A direct link gives even more Australians the chance to experience our unique landscapes, adventure and culture, and it’s a major win for our economy heading into the busy summer.”
Two rounds of roll out has now seen $13 million awarded to RTOs in Rotorua, Northland Auckland, Coromandel, Bay of Plenty, Waikato, Gisborne, Taupō, and Ruapehu.
With more rounds of funding still to be granted, we encourage our NZ Gift & Homeware Fair exhibitors and retailers to seize this moment! Prepare for new opportunities, invest in showcasing your products, and align with the momentum that tourism campaigns are generating. Tourism is the spark, but retail is the flame that keeps the economic engine burning!
This is the perfect time for the retail community to be confident, seize the increase in spending power in the market and flourish in a more vibrant retail environment.
