Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates
The Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates (MRTEs) measure total visitor spending across New Zealand on a monthly basis. The estimates are produced across multiple dimensions to support regional and industry level analysis of tourism expenditure.
Update on regional tourism expenditure data
MBIE is pausing future publication of the Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates (MRTEs) series.
This means MBIE will not publish the update scheduled for 30 October 2026. A recent review of the MRTE methodology identified concerns that mean MBIE needs to reconsider the current series.
MBIE remains committed to working with Marketview to provide a useful and fit for purpose measure of regional tourism spend.
MBIE will resume the Tourism Electronic Card Transactions (TECT) series while longer term solutions are explored. Publication of the TECTs will start in early 2027.
The TECTs measure electronic card spending associated with domestic and international visitors. They do not estimate total tourism expenditure.
Further information will be available on the Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre when the TECTs are published.
Tourism Electronic Card Transactions(external link) — Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre
Data release materials
Data visualisations and MBIE commentary on the topline results are available on the Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre (TEIC).
Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates(external link) — Tourism Evidence and Insights Centre
User guidance
This user guidance explains the methodology, data sources, and limitations of the MRTEs to support stakeholders' use and decision-making related to tourism expenditure.
Monthly Regional Tourism Estimates - User guide [PDF 4.5MB]
TECTs and MRTEs
This version of the MRTEs replaces previous series which use different methodology. The TECTs were an interim measure in the post-pandemic era designed to support the sector while the MRTEs were redeveloped and did not estimate non-card spend. They are not directly comparable to the current series.
Data release calendar
Check upcoming scheduled tourism survey releases on our data release calendar