A much-needed win for Kiwi tourism

International tourist spending's hit nearly 17-billion dollars for the year to March 2024 -- just under 2019 levels.

It comes as Queenstown officials raise issues with Aotearoa's shift from seeking high-wealth visitors to mass general tourists -- which they say is unsustainable.

Tourism New Zealand Chief Executive, Rene de Monchy says they want both groups.

He says there's plenty of capacity -- particularly outside of the main 'peak season' -- as current visitor numbers sit under 90-percent of pre-pandemic figures.