Whakatāne Tourism Spending Jumps to $171 Million, Outpacing National Growth

The latest Infometrics Quarterly Economic Monitor reveals tourism expenditure in the Whakatāne District rose 6.9 % in the year to December 2025, climbing to $171 million.

Nationally, visitor expenditure increased 1.1% in the year to December 2025, below the growth seen in the Whakatāne District.

In the Whakatāne District, visitor expenditure was boosted by a nearly 10% increase in international visitor spending.

Although "growth nearly dried up in early 2025," the report said it "bounced back in the latter half of the year." 

The data shows if growth continues at the current rate, international visitors to the district will return to pre-pandemic levels within two years. 

Whakatāne District Council Manager Tourism and Economic Development Nicola Burgess said this expenditure flows into hospitality and retail, so it is a positive sign for the district.

She said visitors from Australia, the UK, the USA, Europe, and Asia have been coming into the CBD and spending. 

Domestic visitors however, spent less than in 2024, with their expenditure dropping by 1.4%. 

Domestic tourism over the summer was a hit, despite the slight decrease through out the year Burgess said. 

Events such as the Wild Food Festival, Ō Ōhope Festival, Mataatua Kapa Haka Regionals and 2026 AON Surf Lifesaving National Championships attracted domestic visitors across multiple days. 

Around 20,000 visitors came to the District for these events, which Burgess hopes had a wider impact on the area. 

"Certainly people are staying and spending and really enjoying our town and beach for events."

"So that's really heartening."

She expected economic impacts for Ōhope in particular to be strong, with multiple festivals and Wharfside having huge popularity. 

" We were having lots and lots of visitors through Wharfside and, that combined with a full and busy season of events, we're certainly seeing a good and strong start to the year despite some of the economic headwinds."

"Visitor numbers look strong, accommodation and events have been strong, so we're anticipating good results."

The commercial guest nights monitor showed a slight decrease, despite the visitor expenditure and numerous events. 

The Infometrics report shows a 1.9% decrease in commercial guest nights on 2024. 

Burgess said this is because alternative accommodation types are increasing in popularity, due to their appeal for multigenerational families. 

"We know many visitors that are visiting family and friends, but also choose private accommodation such as Book a Bach or Airbnb, and we've seen a growth in that type of availability over the last couple of years."

With private accommodating increasing, this has taken a hit on commercial accommodation such as motels she said. 

Fuel prices passed $3 at Whakatāne BP on Friday morning

With fuel costs rapidly increasing, Burgess is aware financial pressures will impact the tourism industry this year. 

Air New Zealand has cancelled 1100 flights through to the end of next month, affecting around 44,000 passengers and Air Chathams have had a $20 fuel surcharge added. 

Air Chathams' Chief Executive Duane Emeny hopes prices will stabilise so they can "can remove it quickly."

He said the price of fuel has spiked by 96 cents per liter for the airline.

"This surcharge will be reviewed regularly and will be removed once fuel prices return to more normal levels," it said.

For motorists, 95 is just over $3 a litre across multiple Whakatāne fuel stations and 91 hit the $3 mark at the Whakatāne BP this morning according to the fuel monitoring app Gaspy. 

Burgess said fuel and financial pressures will be felt in the area, but she remains hope the visitor expenditure will continue. 

Marketing and other efforts will continue through to winter, to encourage domestic visitors to come to the District while it is still warm.