Chinese tourists can now travel to New Zealand visa-free via Australia

Monday 3 November 2025 · 3 outlets · 4 reports · updated Mon 3 Nov 2025, 7:46am

In this story Erica Stanford, Louise Upston

Chinese tourists with an eligible Australian visa can now travel to New Zealand without a visitor visa by requesting an Electronic Travel Authority. The government expects this change to increase annual visitor numbers by 50,000.

How they headlined it

5am5:39am7:29am

1. NZ HeraldMon 3 Nov 2025, 5:00am

   Visa-free travel to NZ opened up for Chinese tourists travelling via Australia (opens in new tab)

   • Watch: Luxon speaks with Mike Hosking after Apec summit and China travel visa change (opens in new tab) Mon 3 Nov 2025, 7:29am
2. RNZMon 3 Nov 2025, 5:39am

   Chinese tourists now able to visit NZ via Australia, visa-free (opens in new tab)

3. Otago Daily TimesMon 3 Nov 2025, 7:46am

   Visa-free access to NZ via Australia for Chinese tourists (opens in new tab)