New research shows thrill seeking tourists are costing Dunedin and Southland Hospitals around one million dollars a year

A paper published in the NZ Medical Journal has looked at the number of non-resident patients requiring orthopaedic surgery through Southern DHB over decades.

Co-author Dr Annabel Merrett says the highest number of injuries came from activities like snow sports.

She says even though tourists have insurance, under New Zealand's system they're covered by ACC..

Merrett says future governments could give reform of ACC and what it covers serious thought.