Regional New Zealand is set to welcome more international visitors in 2026 following a $3.69 million investment through the Government’s Regional Tourism Boost. The latest funding round supports five new campaigns designed to attract travelers during the quieter autumn and early winter months, encouraging exploration beyond traditional hotspots while promoting unique regional experiences and limited-time travel and accommodation deals.
A $1.2 million national campaign coordinated by Tātaki Auckland Unlimited will target visitors from the USA and Canada, inviting them to discover all corners of New Zealand. ChristchurchNZ is leading a $1 million campaign to draw Australians from the eastern seaboard to the alpine and coastal regions of the central South Island. Destination Great Lake Taupō will use $600,000 to encourage Australian tourists to experience New Zealand’s Great Rides, while Great South and seven associated Regional Tourism Organisations will receive $459,000 to attract Australians from the Gold Coast to the lower South Island. Another $459,000 initiative led by Hamilton & Waikato Tourism will welcome visitors from Sydney and the Gold Coast to the heart of the North Island via direct flights to Hamilton Airport.
With this announcement, all $10 million allocated under Round 2 of the Regional Tourism Boost has now been distributed, supporting a total of nine campaigns across the country. Stage One, announced in November 2025, funded four campaigns promoting travel from January 2026.
The Regional Tourism Boost is part of the Government’s $70 million Major Events and Tourism Package, designed to support the recovery and growth of New Zealand’s visitor economy and encourage travelers to explore more of the country’s diverse regions.
