Overseas visitor spending is up on a year ago - but still below pre-Covid levels

Travel exports rose to 2.48 billion dollars this quarter, up from 1.65 billion the year before.

But Tourism New Zealand chief executive René de Monchy says travel once held the top spot, but is still only our second largest export now.

He says it shows the market is really competitive around the world, and we are not the only ones trying go get visitors or consumers into our country.

Tourism NZ says China's recently lifting restrictions on travel - is good news for our summer.