One month after Wellington opened its visa-free pathway for Chinese and Pacific nationals travelling from Australia, Immigration NZ confirmed on 11 December that 13,000 visitors have already used the option and more than 24,000 NZeTA requests have been approved.
The 12-month trial allows eligible travellers who hold a valid Australian visa to enter New Zealand for up to three months with just an electronic travel authorisation. Early data suggest strong regional dispersal: 43 % of arrivals land in Christchurch and 22 % in Queenstown, easing pressure on Auckland Airport and boosting South Island tourism. Officials say the scheme could add NZ$180 million to regional economies if current trends hold through Chinese New Year.
![New Zealand racks up 10,000+ arrivals via new visa-waiver route for holders of Australian visas]()
For travellers who are unsure whether they qualify for the visa-free pathway—or who need help securing the required NZeTA—VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers step-by-step guidance and an easy online application service, streamlining documentation for both individuals and corporate mobility teams.
For Australian employers the development is a double-edged sword. Staff on temporary skilled or graduate visas can now hop across the Tasman for meetings without a separate NZ visa, simplifying travel budgets. But mobility managers must track passport and visa status carefully—workers who let their Australian visas lapse while abroad risk being barred re-entry to Australia and losing their job.
Tour operators are already bundling “dual-destination” packages aimed at Chinese FIT (free independent traveller) segments, leveraging Qantas and Air New Zealand’s expanded codeshare. Canberra is watching closely: a successful NZ pilot could intensify calls for Australia to offer reciprocal concessions to stimulate inbound recovery.
The 12-month trial allows eligible travellers who hold a valid Australian visa to enter New Zealand for up to three months with just an electronic travel authorisation. Early data suggest strong regional dispersal: 43 % of arrivals land in Christchurch and 22 % in Queenstown, easing pressure on Auckland Airport and boosting South Island tourism. Officials say the scheme could add NZ$180 million to regional economies if current trends hold through Chinese New Year.
For travellers who are unsure whether they qualify for the visa-free pathway—or who need help securing the required NZeTA—VisaHQ’s Australian portal (https://www.visahq.com/australia/) offers step-by-step guidance and an easy online application service, streamlining documentation for both individuals and corporate mobility teams.
For Australian employers the development is a double-edged sword. Staff on temporary skilled or graduate visas can now hop across the Tasman for meetings without a separate NZ visa, simplifying travel budgets. But mobility managers must track passport and visa status carefully—workers who let their Australian visas lapse while abroad risk being barred re-entry to Australia and losing their job.
Tour operators are already bundling “dual-destination” packages aimed at Chinese FIT (free independent traveller) segments, leveraging Qantas and Air New Zealand’s expanded codeshare. Canberra is watching closely: a successful NZ pilot could intensify calls for Australia to offer reciprocal concessions to stimulate inbound recovery.
