Belief that our trans-Tasman friends are keeping tourism strong in Queenstown

Skyline Operators, who run the luge and gondolas, have seen international luge rides increase by 32.6 percent from 7.46 million in the last year to close to 10 million.

Gondola rides have also risen more than 21 percent.

Queenstown Mayor Glyn Lewers says they're crossing the ditch in numbers.

He says the latest stat from the airport shows routes from Aussie are up 145 percent on pre Covid numbers.