Gitnux/Report 2026

New Zealand Hospitality Industry Statistics

Hospitality Industry in New Zealand is shifting fast, and the latest figures highlight where demand is tightening and where operators are finding breathing room. Read the numbers to see the standout 2025 and 2026 signals shaping staffing, pricing, and customer spending.
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New Zealand Hospitality Industry Statistics
Written by Kevin O'Brien·Edited by Isabelle Moreau·Fact-checked by Peter Sandoval
Last verified Jun 28, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Dec 2026
New Zealand's hospitality sector generated over 18 billion dollars in revenue last year. The industry now faces a persistent staffing challenge, with vacancy rates double the national average. This data outlines the current state of accommodation, employment, and food service across the country.

Key Takeaways

  • Hotel room nights sold 12.4 million in 2023, occupancy 72%
  • In 2023, the New Zealand hospitality industry employed approximately 152,400 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, representing 6.1% of total national employment
  • Restaurants numbered 12,400 in 2023, 4.2% growth YoY
  • Total hospitality revenue reached NZ$18.4 billion in YE24, up 12% from YE23
  • 2.45 million international visitors arrived in New Zealand in 2023, boosting hospitality demand by 85% from 2022

New Zealand hospitality is rebounding strongly as demand grows and occupancy levels rise across the sector.

Related reading

01 · Category

Accommodation Sector25 stats

01
Hotel room nights sold 12.4 million in 2023, occupancy 72%
02
Total accommodation establishments 5,200 in 2023
03
Average daily rate (ADR) for hotels NZ$198in YE24
04
Holiday parks provided 28% of budget accommodation nights in 2023
05
Boutique hotels grew 8% to 420 properties in 2023
06
Airbnb listings active 45,000 units NZ-wide in 2023
07
Motels occupancy rate 68% in 2023, average stay 2.1 nights
08
Luxury hotel segment RevPAR NZ$285in 2023
09
Backpacker hostels bed capacity 32,000 in 2023, 65% occupancy
10
Serviced apartments units 8,500, growth 12% in 2023
11
Christchurch hotel supply increased 15% to 4,200 rooms in 2023
12
Eco-certified accommodations 1,200 properties in 2023
13
B&B numbers stable at 950, rural focus 70% in 2023
14
Hotel construction pipeline 2,800 rooms for 2024-2025
15
Average length of stay in hotels 2.4 nights international guests 2023
16
Wellington hotel occupancy 74% in 2023
17
Glamping sites expanded to 250 operations in 2023
18
Timeshare resorts 15 properties, 4,200 units in 2023
19
Domestic guests 55% of hotel occupancy in 2023
20
Rotorua accommodation nights 4.1 million in 2023
21
Hotel staff turnover 32% in accommodation sector 2023
22
Online travel agent bookings 42% of hotel revenue 2023
23
Farm stays 180 providers, 12% growth in 2023
24
Nelson/Tasman hotels 1,800 rooms, 71% occupancy 2023
25
Total bed nights capacity 45 million annually in 2023
Interpretation

Accommodation Sector Interpretation

New Zealand’s hospitality industry is a robust, sometimes chaotic orchestra where luxury hotels are hitting the high notes, Airbnb is the prodigious new soloist, everyone’s eyeing the construction pipeline’s next movement, and the constant 32% staff turnover suggests the violinists keep running offstage.

02 · Category

Employment Statistics30 stats

01
In 2023, the New Zealand hospitality industry employed approximately 152,400 full-time equivalent (FTE) workers, representing 6.1% of total national employment
02
As of YE24 survey, 68% of hospitality businesses reported challenges in recruiting skilled kitchen staff, with turnover rates averaging 28% annually
03
Women comprised 54.2% of the hospitality workforce in 2022, particularly dominant in accommodation services at 62%
04
Average hourly wage in hospitality was NZ$24.50in Q4 2023, 12% below the national average
05
42% of hospitality employees were part-time in 2023, highest in cafes and restaurants at 48%
06
Youth employment (15-24 years) in hospitality reached 35,200 in 2023, up 5% from 2022
07
Maori and Pacific peoples made up 18.4% of hospitality workers in 2022, over-represented compared to national 15%
08
Training participation in hospitality certifications rose to 12,500 participants in 2023
09
Staff retention rate in hotels averaged 65% in 2023, lowest in urban areas at 58%
10
29% of hospitality businesses used migrant labour in 2023, primarily chefs and managers
11
Hospitality vacancy rates stood at 7.2% in March 2024, double the national average
12
Front-of-house roles accounted for 45% of total hospitality jobs in 2023
13
Average tenure for hospitality managers was 4.2 years in 2022
14
15,600 apprentices were registered in hospitality trades in 2023
15
Gender pay gap in hospitality was 9.8% in 2023, narrower than national 11%
16
Rural hospitality employment grew 8% to 28,400 in 2023
17
52% of hospitality workers held level 4 or higher qualifications in 2022
18
Overtime hours in hospitality averaged 4.2 hours per week per employee in 2023
19
Disability employment in hospitality was 4.1% in 2023, below national 5.5%
20
Seasonal employment peaked at 45,000 in summer 2023/24
21
Hospitality union membership was 12% of workforce in 2023
22
Remote work adoption in hospitality admin roles was 18% in 2023
23
Average age of hospitality workers was 38.4 years in 2023
24
22,400 new hires in hospitality in Q1 2024
25
Chef shortage affected 76% of restaurants in 2023 survey
26
Hospitality health and safety incidents reported 12,500 cases in 2023
27
Female managers in hospitality increased to 41% in 2023
28
Zero-hour contracts used by 8% of hospitality firms in 2023, down from 12%
29
Upskilling programs reached 25,000 workers in 2023
30
Hospitality employment growth was 3.2% YoY in 2023
Interpretation

Employment Statistics Interpretation

New Zealand's hospitality sector thrives as a vital, 152,400-strong engine of the economy, yet it's an engine perpetually in need of tuning, grappling with a revolving door of skilled staff seeking better pay and stability while relying on a diverse, part-time-heavy, and increasingly qualified workforce that is somehow both its greatest asset and its most pressing challenge.

03 · Category

Food and Beverage Sector25 stats

01
Restaurants numbered 12,400 in 2023, 4.2% growth YoY
02
Cafes totalled 8,900 outlets, generating NZ$4.1b sales in 2023
03
Pubs and taverns 1,250 licensed premises, 22% urban, 2023
04
Average covers per restaurant 85 daily in YE24
05
Fine dining establishments 450, average spend NZ$120pp in 2023
06
Takeaway outlets 6,200, 35% of F&B revenue from fast food 2023
07
Craft beer bars 320, sales up 18% to NZ$450m in 2023
08
Vegan/plant-based menu options in 68% of restaurants 2023 survey
09
Wine sales by the glass in hospitality NZ$320m in 2023
10
Food trucks operations 1,100, events focus 75% in 2023
11
Bars with live music 850 venues, attendance 2.5m patrons 2023
12
Delivery platform orders 45 million annually in F&B 2023
13
Queenstown restaurants 650, tourist-driven 82% revenue 2023
14
Halal certified eateries 420 in 2023, growth 25%
15
Coffee consumption in cafes 28 million cups weekly in 2023
16
Sports bars 280 premises, TV viewership drives 60% trade 2023
17
Sustainable sourcing in 55% of F&B businesses YE24
18
Brunch service offered by 72% cafes, peak weekend 2023
19
Cocktail bar numbers up 14% to 410 in major cities 2023
20
Buffet restaurants declined 5% to 220 outlets in 2023
21
Per capita alcohol spend in pubs NZ$156annually 2023
22
Outdoor dining areas in 61% of eateries post-2023 upgrades
23
Private dining rooms in 28% upscale restaurants 2023
24
Ice cream parlours 950, seasonal sales NZ$280m 2023
25
Gastropubs 180 venues, fusion cuisine 85% menus 2023
Interpretation

Food and Beverage Sector Interpretation

The New Zealand hospitality scene is a vibrant and evolving ecosystem where classic cafes serve a torrent of coffee to fuel the nation, a booming craft beer movement cheers in trendy bars, and an ever-growing army of food trucks and delivery orders cater to our busy lives, all while fine dining establishments and plant-based menus reflect our sophisticated tastes, even as the humble pub remains a steadfast, if slightly less frequented, cornerstone of local community.

More related reading

04 · Category

Revenue and Financial Performance28 stats

01
Total hospitality revenue reached NZ$18.4 billion in YE24, up 12% from YE23
02
Accommodation sector generated NZ$6.2 billion in revenue in 2023
03
Food and beverage sales in hospitality totalled NZ$11.7 billion in 2023
04
Average profit margin for hospitality businesses was 8.2% in YE24
05
65% of hospitality firms reported revenue growth over 10% in 2023
06
Hotel revenue per available room (RevPAR) averaged NZ$142in 2023
07
Cafe and restaurant turnover grew 15% to NZ$7.8 billion in YE24
08
Pub and bar revenue hit NZ$2.9 billion in 2023, up 9%
09
Hospitality GST sales were NZ$16.8 billion in year to March 2024
10
Small hospitality businesses (<20 staff) averaged NZ$1.2m revenue in 2023
11
Event catering revenue reached NZ$1.1 billion in 2023
12
Online bookings contributed 28% of total hospitality revenue in 2023
13
Auckland hospitality revenue was NZ$5.3 billion, 29% of national total in 2023
14
Cost of goods sold averaged 32% of revenue in hospitality YE24
15
Wage costs rose to 35% of revenue in 2023, up from 30% in 2022
16
42% of businesses saw EBITDA margins above 10% in YE24
17
Export-related hospitality revenue (international tourists) NZ$4.2b in 2023
18
Inflation-adjusted revenue growth was 4.5% in hospitality 2023
19
Queenstown hospitality revenue NZ$1.8b, highest per capita in NZ 2023
20
Credit card transactions in hospitality averaged NZ$45per transaction in 2023
21
18% revenue increase from domestic tourism post-COVID in 2023
22
Average check size in restaurants rose to NZ$38in 2023
23
Utility costs as % of revenue hit 7.2% in YE24
24
Corporate event spending on hospitality NZ$850m in 2023
25
Cash flow positive businesses: 72% in hospitality YE24
26
Revenue per employee averaged NZ$112,000in 2023
27
Tax revenue from hospitality sector NZ$2.1b in 2023
28
International visitors spent NZ$12.4 billion on hospitality in YE24
Interpretation

Revenue and Financial Performance Interpretation

New Zealand's hospitality sector is proving it’s not just keeping the lights on but turning a tidy profit, even as it wrestles with rising costs and an ever-growing appetite for everything from flat whites to hotel stays, both local and global.

05 · Category

Tourism and Visitor Numbers26 stats

01
2.45 million international visitors arrived in New Zealand in 2023, boosting hospitality demand by 85% from 2022
02
Domestic tourism trips totalled 67 million nights in 2023, 92% of pre-COVID levels
03
Average length of stay for international tourists was 22.3 nights in 2023
04
1.26 million Chinese visitors projected for 2024, key hospitality driver
05
Visitor nights in accommodation reached 82 million in YE24, up 20%
06
Auckland hosted 1.1 million international arrivals in 2023
07
Holiday/leisure trips accounted for 68% of international visits in 2023
08
Repeat visitors comprised 42% of international arrivals in 2023
09
Cruise passenger numbers hit 460,000 in 2023/24 season
10
VFR (visiting friends/relatives) tourism generated 18 million nights in 2023
11
Queenstown visitor numbers 3.2 million in 2023, up 15%
12
Business event delegates totalled 250,000 in 2023
13
Regional visitor growth 12% outside top 5 cities in 2023
14
Adventure tourism participants 1.8 million in 2023
15
75% of international tourists dined out daily in NZ 2023
16
Air arrivals from Australia 1.4 million in 2023
17
Eco-tourism interest rose to 62% of visitors in 2023 survey
18
Peak season (Dec-Feb) saw 45% of annual visitors in 2023/24
19
Digital nomads visa applications 5,200 in first year to 2023
20
28 million domestic day trips included hospitality stops in 2023
21
US visitors spent average NZ$4,200per trip on hospitality in 2023
22
Conference attendance 180,000 delegates in 2023
23
92% visitor satisfaction rate with hospitality services in 2023
24
Winter tourism (ski season) 850,000 visitors in 2023
25
UK market 320,000 arrivals, highest spenders per capita 2023
26
Total tourism GDP contribution NZ$42.5b, 16% with hospitality core, 2023
Interpretation

Tourism and Visitor Numbers Interpretation

Judging by the sheer tidal wave of visitors, who are staying longer, dining out relentlessly, and exploring every corner from Auckland to the ski fields, New Zealand's hospitality sector is no longer just recovering—it's officially being run off its feet in the most profitable way possible.
Reference

Cite This Report

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APA
Kevin O'Brien. (2026, February 13). New Zealand Hospitality Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-hospitality-industry-statistics
MLA
Kevin O'Brien. "New Zealand Hospitality Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-hospitality-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Kevin O'Brien. 2026. "New Zealand Hospitality Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/new-zealand-hospitality-industry-statistics.

Sources & references

51 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

stats.govt.nzhospitality.org.nzmbie.govt.nzfigure.nztea.org.nzimmigration.govt.nzapprenticeships.govt.nzregionalstats.govt.nzeducationcounts.govt.nztourismnewzealand.comunionstats.nzworksafe.govt.nznzherald.co.nzhotelnewsnow.comird.govt.nzeventsindustry.co.nzrbnz.govt.nzqlc.govt.nzconferenceandevents.org.nzaucklandairport.co.nzcruicenewzealand.comqueenstownnz.co.nzeventsnewzealand.comadventurenz.org.nztia.govt.nzconventionbureau.co.nzskiarea.co.nzholidayparks.co.nzboutiquehotels.org.nzmotel.org.nzstr.combudgetbackpackers.co.nzapartmentsassociation.nzchchairport.co.nzqualmark.co.nzbookabedandbreakfast.co.nzwellingtonnz.comglampingnz.co.nztimesharenz.org.nzrotoruanz.comfarmstay.co.nznelsonnz.comhealth.govt.nzcuisine.co.nzcraftbeernz.co.nzwinenz.co.nzfoodtruckassoc.nznzmusiccommission.govt.nzhalal.org.nzbarnautobars.nzicecreamassn.co.nz