Tourism Boost package
The 2025 Tourism Boost package was developed by the Government in partnership with the tourism industry. It aims to support immediate growth in visitor numbers, drive export activity and deliver economic growth in New Zealand.
On this page
About the Tourism Boost package
The Tourism Boost package is the first phase of the Government’s work to boost international visitor numbers and drive economic growth. Approximately $20.4 million has been allocated from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) for 2024/25. These investments include:
| Project | Description | Total funding |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Campaign | Funds Tourism New Zealand’s campaign to attract Australian visitors. | $0.8 million |
| Regional Tourism Boost | Builds on Tourism New Zealand’s marketing to attract more international visitors and promote regional travel. | $3 million |
| Business Events | Funds additional 15-20 business event bids annually through the Conference Assistance Programme. | $3 million |
| International Marketing | Funds Tourism New Zealand’s marketing in core and midsize markets. | $13.5 million |
Australia Campaign
Funding was provided to Tourism New Zealand to develop and execute a campaign to attract Australian visitors, as New Zealand's largest international visitor market. This included an initial $500,000 plus a further $300,000. This campaign is expected to attract an additional 6,000 Australian travellers during Autumn 2025.
Regional Tourism Boost Fund
$3 million was allocated to the Regional Tourism Boost Fund. The fund supports New Zealand’s regions to attract more international visitors and encourage greater dispersal of travellers across the country. It builds on Tourism New Zealand’s broader marketing efforts, to ensure a coordinated and impactful approach to promoting New Zealand as a destination
Business Events
$3 million was provided to attract additional business events to New Zealand. The Business Events sector is a valuable visitor market, as business visitors spent $175 more per day on average than other international visitors in 2024. This will provide a significant boost to the economy and support a wide range of tourism and hospitality businesses across the country.
Alongside new and upgraded conference infrastructure, this investment will position New Zealand as a competitive and compelling choice for global events.
Much of the funding will go into the existing Conference Assistance Programme operated by Tourism New Zealand and will allow for an additional 15-20 business event bids in the 2024/25 financial year. A portion of the funding will go towards supporting event organisers to increase the chance of their bids being successful.
Conference Assistance Programme(external link) — Tourism New Zealand Business Events
International Marketing
$13.5 million was provided to Tourism New Zealand for international marketing in our core markets (Australia, China, USA), mid-size markets (Germany and South Korea), and India.
International marketing is New Zealand’s main way to increase international visitor numbers, with 14 per cent of visitors directly influenced by Tourism New Zealand’s marketing activity. The additional funding will support Tourism New Zealand to inspire travel and encourage those interested in visiting New Zealand to travel here, supporting tourism businesses and communities across the country.
Tourism New Zealand estimates this initiative will bring an additional 23,000 visitors to New Zealand and deliver more than $100 million in international visitor spend between July 2025 and March 2026.