According to the latest figures released, the total number tourist arrivals in New Zealand recorded an increase of 9 per cent during the month of February compared to the same month of the previous year.

Data released by Statistics New Zealand showed that the tourist arrivals in the country rose by 22,000 to 281,000 during the month.  Experts say that the number of tourists increased during the month partially due to the Chinese New Year as higher number of tourists arrived from China, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

The data also showed that during the one year period, the total number of Chinese tourist arrivals in New Zealand increased while that from the UK recorded a fall.  The financial data released earlier this week also showed that the spending by the tourists has fallen in the country.  The number of people arriving in the country to live and work in the country increased whole those leaving the country fell.  This resulted in a seasonally-adjusted net gain of 550 migrants in the country during the month.

Between Australia and New Zealand, a total of 3,770 kiwis crossed over for Australia while the number of people on the other direction increased to 1,420.