What Are the Best Places to Invest in Airbnb in New Zealand?

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI

Updated: 2026-08-08

The short-term rental market in New Zealand spans 100 cities tracked in AirROI's 2026 dataset, ranging from mature urban markets with thousands of active listings to emerging destinations where early operators still have pricing leverage. Supply growth, regulation, and seasonal demand vary significantly across the region — making market selection one of the highest-leverage decisions an Airbnb investor can make.

This page ranks the best Airbnb markets in New Zealand across four dimensions: market depth (active listings), revenue, nightly rate (ADR), and occupancy rate. Queenstown, Otago leads by market size with 2,614 active listings and $4,697/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 39.2% with $1,488/month in average revenue and $183/night ADR. 100 of 100 markets carry a low regulation profile — a key consideration for investors evaluating compliance costs and time-to-market.

Rankings based on AirROI's analysis of 20,000,000+ short-term rental listings across revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation. See ranking methodology.

Explore Live Market Data

Top Airbnb Markets in New Zealand by Active Listings

Active listing count is the most direct measure of a market's depth, maturity, and investor confidence. Cities with the most Airbnb listings in New Zealand attract the highest volume of travelers and offer the most reliable benchmarking data for pricing and revenue projections. Queenstown, Otago leads with 2,614 active short-term rental listings and $4,697/month in average revenue.

#	Market	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Queenstown, Otago	2,614	$4,697	$366	54.3%	Low
2	Christchurch, Canterbury	2,370	$1,522	$131	49.1%	Low
3	Auckland, Auckland	1,485	$1,131	$153	43.0%	Low
4	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	1,232	$1,353	$200	36.5%	Low
5	Waitematā, Auckland	1,218	$1,763	$157	48.0%	Low
6	Wānaka, Otago	1,204	$2,762	$297	44.8%	Low
7	Wellington, Wellington	1,149	$1,325	$131	43.9%	Low
8	Taupō, Waikato	1,056	$1,938	$214	39.1%	Low
9	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	780	$1,944	$171	45.5%	Low
10	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	712	$1,483	$219	34.7%	Low
11	Dunedin, Otago	635	$1,432	$138	45.2%	Low
12	Hamilton, Waikato	575	$1,241	$124	41.2%	Low
13	Nelson, Nelson	564	$1,272	$163	43.0%	Low
14	Waiheke, Auckland	516	$2,442	$351	34.0%	Low
15	Rodney, Auckland	505	$1,433	$224	31.3%	Low
16	New Plymouth, Taranaki	491	$1,046	$143	36.1%	Low
17	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	457	$5,361	$315	61.4%	Low
18	Napier, Hawke's Bay	457	$1,319	$171	37.5%	Low
19	Raglan, Waikato	377	$1,641	$191	38.3%	Low
20	Fiordland Community, Southland	359	$2,322	$177	53.4%	Low
21	Albert-Eden, Auckland	344	$1,131	$142	40.6%	Low
22	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	344	$1,281	$164	37.1%	Low
23	Twizel, Canterbury	319	$2,495	$181	54.4%	Low
24	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	318	$1,729	$250	30.0%	Low
25	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	306	$932	$194	24.6%	Low
26	Te Hiku Community, Northland	300	$996	$158	32.3%	Low
27	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	282	$1,485	$160	38.8%	Low
28	Ōrākei, Auckland	275	$1,427	$167	43.7%	Low
29	Lower Hutt, Wellington	272	$936	$107	41.1%	Low
30	Jacks Point, Otago	268	$2,432	$294	51.4%	Low
31	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	267	$1,423	$231	35.0%	Low
32	Kaikōura, Canterbury	259	$2,007	$206	39.9%	Low
33	Gisborne, Gisborne	255	$982	$194	32.7%	Low
34	Whitianga, Waikato	247	$1,322	$208	35.2%	Low
35	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	244	$1,365	$179	40.7%	Low
36	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	229	$1,615	$220	38.4%	Low
37	Howick, Auckland	227	$1,306	$142	38.8%	Low
38	Whangamatā, Waikato	211	$1,177	$232	30.6%	Low
39	Franklin, Auckland	209	$1,374	$177	35.4%	Low
40	Arrowtown, Otago	209	$2,748	$320	46.6%	Low
41	Whangārei, Northland	208	$977	$129	36.6%	Low
42	Martinborough Community, Wellington	208	$1,715	$195	34.8%	Low
43	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	200	$1,324	$228	33.1%	Low
44	Cambridge, Waikato	197	$1,199	$154	39.4%	Low
45	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	187	$1,168	$141	36.1%	Low
46	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	184	$966	$113	38.8%	Low
47	Cromwell Community, Otago	184	$1,457	$191	37.9%	Low
48	Kaipātiki, Auckland	182	$908	$123	39.1%	Low
49	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	176	$1,275	$182	34.5%	Low
50	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	173	$1,084	$110	41.0%	Low
51	Blenheim, Marlborough	160	$1,354	$146	40.6%	Low
52	Masterton, Wellington	158	$1,032	$139	33.0%	Low
53	Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty Region	148	$1,524	$241	40.4%	Low
54	Mangawhai, Northland	145	$1,488	$240	32.2%	Low
55	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	143	$1,538	$233	35.2%	Low
56	Paraparaumu, Wellington	142	$1,356	$162	37.2%	Low
57	Tūrangi, Waikato	140	$1,040	$154	33.4%	Low
58	Tairua, Waikato	139	$1,161	$203	33.9%	Low
59	Albert Town, Otago	137	$1,967	$202	46.6%	Low
60	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	135	$1,187	$110	43.3%	Low
61	Te Anau, Southland Region	135	$1,873	$203	55.4%	Low
62	Vincent Community, Otago	132	$1,214	$153	35.7%	Low
63	Lake Hāwea, Otago	129	$1,742	$201	47.6%	Low
64	Oamaru, Otago	127	$1,497	$140	42.9%	Low
65	Porirua, Wellington	126	$1,136	$120	39.3%	Low
66	Waiheke Island, Auckland	123	$2,115	$292	39.6%	Low
67	Invercargill City, Southland	121	$1,152	$118	40.5%	Low
68	Methven, Canterbury	119	$1,345	$172	38.1%	Low
69	Upper Harbour, Auckland	116	$1,145	$120	40.6%	Low
70	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	115	$1,240	$203	34.4%	Low
71	Cooks Beach, Waikato	113	$1,366	$219	37.4%	Low
72	Coromandel, Waikato	112	$1,135	$154	35.7%	Low
73	Hahei, Waikato	112	$2,218	$271	40.4%	Low
74	Picton, Marlborough	111	$1,761	$176	46.0%	Low
75	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	106	$1,713	$316	35.6%	Low
76	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	104	$894	$124	31.0%	Low
77	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	100	$889	$145	37.5%	Low
78	Timaru, Canterbury	98	$1,167	$117	44.0%	Low
79	Pauanui, Waikato	98	$1,001	$275	25.3%	Low
80	Whau, Auckland	97	$725	$100	36.5%	Low
81	Kinloch, Waikato	97	$1,566	$220	34.8%	Low
82	Motueka, Tasman	92	$1,025	$153	42.5%	Low
83	Richmond, Tasman	91	$1,066	$149	42.5%	Low
84	Matarangi, Waikato	90	$1,310	$267	29.5%	Low
85	Greytown Community, Wellington	90	$1,227	$151	32.3%	Low
86	Hokitika, West Coast	80	$2,332	$159	52.2%	Low
87	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	79	$1,184	$114	38.9%	Low
88	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	79	$1,054	$157	31.7%	Low
89	Upper Hutt, Wellington	79	$801	$95	35.8%	Low
90	Puketāpapa, Auckland	78	$1,150	$111	44.1%	Low
91	Tamahere, Waikato	78	$1,560	$232	34.9%	Low
92	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	71	$2,073	$204	43.9%	Low
93	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	70	$1,151	$202	29.4%	Low
94	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	70	$945	$129	32.8%	Low
95	Waikawa, Marlborough	66	$1,125	$138	40.1%	Low
96	Māpua, Tasman	63	$1,169	$184	35.9%	Low
97	Greymouth, West Coast	62	$1,316	$133	42.3%	Low
98	Ōakura, Taranaki	60	$1,324	$193	36.1%	Low
99	Pōhara, Tasman	60	$1,210	$181	38.0%	Low
100	Matamata, Waikato	60	$1,556	$142	46.2%	Low

Most Profitable Airbnb Markets in New Zealand by Revenue

The most profitable Airbnb cities in New Zealand are those where hosts earn the highest average monthly revenue per listing — the single most telling indicator of a market's income potential. Lake Tekapo, Canterbury leads with $5,361/month at $315 ADR and 61.4% occupancy. Whether you are evaluating your first STR investment or benchmarking an existing property, these top-earning Airbnb markets show where vacation rentals generate the greatest short-term rental income.

#	Market	Revenue/mo	Active Listings (TTM)	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	$5,361	457	$315	61.4%	Low
2	Queenstown, Otago	$4,697	2,614	$366	54.3%	Low
3	Wānaka, Otago	$2,762	1,204	$297	44.8%	Low
4	Arrowtown, Otago	$2,748	209	$320	46.6%	Low
5	Twizel, Canterbury	$2,495	319	$181	54.4%	Low
6	Waiheke, Auckland	$2,442	516	$351	34.0%	Low
7	Jacks Point, Otago	$2,432	268	$294	51.4%	Low
8	Hokitika, West Coast	$2,332	80	$159	52.2%	Low
9	Fiordland Community, Southland	$2,322	359	$177	53.4%	Low
10	Hahei, Waikato	$2,218	112	$271	40.4%	Low
11	Waiheke Island, Auckland	$2,115	123	$292	39.6%	Low
12	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$2,073	71	$204	43.9%	Low
13	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$2,007	259	$206	39.9%	Low
14	Albert Town, Otago	$1,967	137	$202	46.6%	Low
15	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$1,944	780	$171	45.5%	Low
16	Taupō, Waikato	$1,938	1,056	$214	39.1%	Low
17	Te Anau, Southland Region	$1,873	135	$203	55.4%	Low
18	Waitematā, Auckland	$1,763	1,218	$157	48.0%	Low
19	Picton, Marlborough	$1,761	111	$176	46.0%	Low
20	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$1,742	129	$201	47.6%	Low
21	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$1,729	318	$250	30.0%	Low
22	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$1,715	208	$195	34.8%	Low
23	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$1,713	106	$316	35.6%	Low
24	Raglan, Waikato	$1,641	377	$191	38.3%	Low
25	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$1,615	229	$220	38.4%	Low
26	Kinloch, Waikato	$1,566	97	$220	34.8%	Low
27	Tamahere, Waikato	$1,560	78	$232	34.9%	Low
28	Matamata, Waikato	$1,556	60	$142	46.2%	Low
29	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$1,538	143	$233	35.2%	Low
30	Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty Region	$1,524	148	$241	40.4%	Low
31	Christchurch, Canterbury	$1,522	2,370	$131	49.1%	Low
32	Oamaru, Otago	$1,497	127	$140	42.9%	Low
33	Mangawhai, Northland	$1,488	145	$240	32.2%	Low
34	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$1,485	282	$160	38.8%	Low
35	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$1,483	712	$219	34.7%	Low
36	Cromwell Community, Otago	$1,457	184	$191	37.9%	Low
37	Rodney, Auckland	$1,433	505	$224	31.3%	Low
38	Dunedin, Otago	$1,432	635	$138	45.2%	Low
39	Ōrākei, Auckland	$1,427	275	$167	43.7%	Low
40	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$1,423	267	$231	35.0%	Low
41	Franklin, Auckland	$1,374	209	$177	35.4%	Low
42	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$1,366	113	$219	37.4%	Low
43	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$1,365	244	$179	40.7%	Low
44	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$1,356	142	$162	37.2%	Low
45	Blenheim, Marlborough	$1,354	160	$146	40.6%	Low
46	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$1,353	1,232	$200	36.5%	Low
47	Methven, Canterbury	$1,345	119	$172	38.1%	Low
48	Wellington, Wellington	$1,325	1,149	$131	43.9%	Low
49	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$1,324	200	$228	33.1%	Low
50	Ōakura, Taranaki	$1,324	60	$193	36.1%	Low
51	Whitianga, Waikato	$1,322	247	$208	35.2%	Low
52	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$1,319	457	$171	37.5%	Low
53	Greymouth, West Coast	$1,316	62	$133	42.3%	Low
54	Matarangi, Waikato	$1,310	90	$267	29.5%	Low
55	Howick, Auckland	$1,306	227	$142	38.8%	Low
56	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$1,281	344	$164	37.1%	Low
57	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$1,275	176	$182	34.5%	Low
58	Nelson, Nelson	$1,272	564	$163	43.0%	Low
59	Hamilton, Waikato	$1,241	575	$124	41.2%	Low
60	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$1,240	115	$203	34.4%	Low
61	Greytown Community, Wellington	$1,227	90	$151	32.3%	Low
62	Vincent Community, Otago	$1,214	132	$153	35.7%	Low
63	Pōhara, Tasman	$1,210	60	$181	38.0%	Low
64	Cambridge, Waikato	$1,199	197	$154	39.4%	Low
65	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$1,187	135	$110	43.3%	Low
66	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$1,184	79	$114	38.9%	Low
67	Whangamatā, Waikato	$1,177	211	$232	30.6%	Low
68	Māpua, Tasman	$1,169	63	$184	35.9%	Low
69	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$1,168	187	$141	36.1%	Low
70	Timaru, Canterbury	$1,167	98	$117	44.0%	Low
71	Tairua, Waikato	$1,161	139	$203	33.9%	Low
72	Invercargill City, Southland	$1,152	121	$118	40.5%	Low
73	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$1,151	70	$202	29.4%	Low
74	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$1,150	78	$111	44.1%	Low
75	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$1,145	116	$120	40.6%	Low
76	Porirua, Wellington	$1,136	126	$120	39.3%	Low
77	Coromandel, Waikato	$1,135	112	$154	35.7%	Low
78	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$1,131	344	$142	40.6%	Low
79	Auckland, Auckland	$1,131	1,485	$153	43.0%	Low
80	Waikawa, Marlborough	$1,125	66	$138	40.1%	Low
81	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,084	173	$110	41.0%	Low
82	Richmond, Tasman	$1,066	91	$149	42.5%	Low
83	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,054	79	$157	31.7%	Low
84	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$1,046	491	$143	36.1%	Low
85	Tūrangi, Waikato	$1,040	140	$154	33.4%	Low
86	Masterton, Wellington	$1,032	158	$139	33.0%	Low
87	Motueka, Tasman	$1,025	92	$153	42.5%	Low
88	Pauanui, Waikato	$1,001	98	$275	25.3%	Low
89	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$996	300	$158	32.3%	Low
90	Gisborne, Gisborne	$982	255	$194	32.7%	Low
91	Whangārei, Northland	$977	208	$129	36.6%	Low
92	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$966	184	$113	38.8%	Low
93	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$945	70	$129	32.8%	Low
94	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$936	272	$107	41.1%	Low
95	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$932	306	$194	24.6%	Low
96	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$908	182	$123	39.1%	Low
97	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$894	104	$124	31.0%	Low
98	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$889	100	$145	37.5%	Low
99	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$801	79	$95	35.8%	Low
100	Whau, Auckland	$725	97	$100	36.5%	Low

Most Expensive Airbnb Markets in New Zealand by Nightly Rate

The average daily rate (ADR) measures how much guests pay per night in each market, making it the clearest indicator of a city's short-term rental pricing power. Queenstown, Otago commands the highest Airbnb nightly rate in New Zealand at $366/night, generating $4,697/month at 54.3% occupancy. Markets with premium nightly pricing typically feature high-demand destinations where travelers pay a significant premium over hotel alternatives.

#	Market	ADR	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Queenstown, Otago	$366	2,614	$4,697	54.3%	Low
2	Waiheke, Auckland	$351	516	$2,442	34.0%	Low
3	Arrowtown, Otago	$320	209	$2,748	46.6%	Low
4	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$316	106	$1,713	35.6%	Low
5	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	$315	457	$5,361	61.4%	Low
6	Wānaka, Otago	$297	1,204	$2,762	44.8%	Low
7	Jacks Point, Otago	$294	268	$2,432	51.4%	Low
8	Waiheke Island, Auckland	$292	123	$2,115	39.6%	Low
9	Pauanui, Waikato	$275	98	$1,001	25.3%	Low
10	Hahei, Waikato	$271	112	$2,218	40.4%	Low
11	Matarangi, Waikato	$267	90	$1,310	29.5%	Low
12	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$250	318	$1,729	30.0%	Low
13	Mount Maunganui, Bay of Plenty Region	$241	148	$1,524	40.4%	Low
14	Mangawhai, Northland	$240	145	$1,488	32.2%	Low
15	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$233	143	$1,538	35.2%	Low
16	Whangamatā, Waikato	$232	211	$1,177	30.6%	Low
17	Tamahere, Waikato	$232	78	$1,560	34.9%	Low
18	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$231	267	$1,423	35.0%	Low
19	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$228	200	$1,324	33.1%	Low
20	Rodney, Auckland	$224	505	$1,433	31.3%	Low
21	Kinloch, Waikato	$220	97	$1,566	34.8%	Low
22	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$220	229	$1,615	38.4%	Low
23	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$219	712	$1,483	34.7%	Low
24	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$219	113	$1,366	37.4%	Low
25	Taupō, Waikato	$214	1,056	$1,938	39.1%	Low
26	Whitianga, Waikato	$208	247	$1,322	35.2%	Low
27	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$206	259	$2,007	39.9%	Low
28	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$204	71	$2,073	43.9%	Low
29	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$203	115	$1,240	34.4%	Low
30	Tairua, Waikato	$203	139	$1,161	33.9%	Low
31	Te Anau, Southland Region	$203	135	$1,873	55.4%	Low
32	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$202	70	$1,151	29.4%	Low
33	Albert Town, Otago	$202	137	$1,967	46.6%	Low
34	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$201	129	$1,742	47.6%	Low
35	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$200	1,232	$1,353	36.5%	Low
36	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$195	208	$1,715	34.8%	Low
37	Gisborne, Gisborne	$194	255	$982	32.7%	Low
38	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$194	306	$932	24.6%	Low
39	Ōakura, Taranaki	$193	60	$1,324	36.1%	Low
40	Cromwell Community, Otago	$191	184	$1,457	37.9%	Low
41	Raglan, Waikato	$191	377	$1,641	38.3%	Low
42	Māpua, Tasman	$184	63	$1,169	35.9%	Low
43	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$182	176	$1,275	34.5%	Low
44	Pōhara, Tasman	$181	60	$1,210	38.0%	Low
45	Twizel, Canterbury	$181	319	$2,495	54.4%	Low
46	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$179	244	$1,365	40.7%	Low
47	Fiordland Community, Southland	$177	359	$2,322	53.4%	Low
48	Franklin, Auckland	$177	209	$1,374	35.4%	Low
49	Picton, Marlborough	$176	111	$1,761	46.0%	Low
50	Methven, Canterbury	$172	119	$1,345	38.1%	Low
51	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$171	780	$1,944	45.5%	Low
52	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$171	457	$1,319	37.5%	Low
53	Ōrākei, Auckland	$167	275	$1,427	43.7%	Low
54	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$164	344	$1,281	37.1%	Low
55	Nelson, Nelson	$163	564	$1,272	43.0%	Low
56	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$162	142	$1,356	37.2%	Low
57	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$160	282	$1,485	38.8%	Low
58	Hokitika, West Coast	$159	80	$2,332	52.2%	Low
59	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$158	300	$996	32.3%	Low
60	Waitematā, Auckland	$157	1,218	$1,763	48.0%	Low
61	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$157	79	$1,054	31.7%	Low
62	Tūrangi, Waikato	$154	140	$1,040	33.4%	Low
63	Cambridge, Waikato	$154	197	$1,199	39.4%	Low
64	Coromandel, Waikato	$154	112	$1,135	35.7%	Low
65	Auckland, Auckland	$153	1,485	$1,131	43.0%	Low
66	Motueka, Tasman	$153	92	$1,025	42.5%	Low
67	Vincent Community, Otago	$153	132	$1,214	35.7%	Low
68	Greytown Community, Wellington	$151	90	$1,227	32.3%	Low
69	Richmond, Tasman	$149	91	$1,066	42.5%	Low
70	Blenheim, Marlborough	$146	160	$1,354	40.6%	Low
71	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$145	100	$889	37.5%	Low
72	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$143	491	$1,046	36.1%	Low
73	Howick, Auckland	$142	227	$1,306	38.8%	Low
74	Matamata, Waikato	$142	60	$1,556	46.2%	Low
75	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$142	344	$1,131	40.6%	Low
76	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$141	187	$1,168	36.1%	Low
77	Oamaru, Otago	$140	127	$1,497	42.9%	Low
78	Masterton, Wellington	$139	158	$1,032	33.0%	Low
79	Waikawa, Marlborough	$138	66	$1,125	40.1%	Low
80	Dunedin, Otago	$138	635	$1,432	45.2%	Low
81	Greymouth, West Coast	$133	62	$1,316	42.3%	Low
82	Wellington, Wellington	$131	1,149	$1,325	43.9%	Low
83	Christchurch, Canterbury	$131	2,370	$1,522	49.1%	Low
84	Whangārei, Northland	$129	208	$977	36.6%	Low
85	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$129	70	$945	32.8%	Low
86	Hamilton, Waikato	$124	575	$1,241	41.2%	Low
87	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$124	104	$894	31.0%	Low
88	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$123	182	$908	39.1%	Low
89	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$120	116	$1,145	40.6%	Low
90	Porirua, Wellington	$120	126	$1,136	39.3%	Low
91	Invercargill City, Southland	$118	121	$1,152	40.5%	Low
92	Timaru, Canterbury	$117	98	$1,167	44.0%	Low
93	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$114	79	$1,184	38.9%	Low
94	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$113	184	$966	38.8%	Low
95	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$111	78	$1,150	44.1%	Low
96	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$110	135	$1,187	43.3%	Low
97	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$110	173	$1,084	41.0%	Low
98	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$107	272	$936	41.1%	Low
99	Whau, Auckland	$100	97	$725	36.5%	Low
100	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$95	79	$801	35.8%	Low

Highest Occupancy Airbnb Markets in New Zealand

Airbnb occupancy rate measures the percentage of available nights actually booked — the most telling indicator of short-term rental demand in a market. Lake Tekapo, Canterbury leads New Zealand with 61.4% occupancy, $5,361/month revenue, and 457 active listings. Markets with the highest STR occupancy rates reflect strong, sustained guest demand — a critical signal for investors evaluating where properties will stay consistently booked year-round. This ranking is filtered to markets with 300+ listings to ensure statistical reliability.

#	Market	Occupancy	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Regulation
1	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	61.4%	457	$5,361	$315	Low
2	Twizel, Canterbury	54.4%	319	$2,495	$181	Low
3	Queenstown, Otago	54.3%	2,614	$4,697	$366	Low
4	Fiordland Community, Southland	53.4%	359	$2,322	$177	Low
5	Christchurch, Canterbury	49.1%	2,370	$1,522	$131	Low
6	Waitematā, Auckland	48.0%	1,218	$1,763	$157	Low
7	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	45.5%	780	$1,944	$171	Low
8	Dunedin, Otago	45.2%	635	$1,432	$138	Low
9	Wānaka, Otago	44.8%	1,204	$2,762	$297	Low
10	Wellington, Wellington	43.9%	1,149	$1,325	$131	Low
11	Nelson, Nelson	43.0%	564	$1,272	$163	Low
12	Auckland, Auckland	43.0%	1,485	$1,131	$153	Low
13	Hamilton, Waikato	41.2%	575	$1,241	$124	Low
14	Albert-Eden, Auckland	40.6%	344	$1,131	$142	Low
15	Taupō, Waikato	39.1%	1,056	$1,938	$214	Low
16	Raglan, Waikato	38.3%	377	$1,641	$191	Low
17	Napier, Hawke's Bay	37.5%	457	$1,319	$171	Low
18	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	37.1%	344	$1,281	$164	Low
19	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	36.5%	1,232	$1,353	$200	Low
20	New Plymouth, Taranaki	36.1%	491	$1,046	$143	Low
21	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	34.7%	712	$1,483	$219	Low
22	Waiheke, Auckland	34.0%	516	$2,442	$351	Low
23	Te Hiku Community, Northland	32.3%	300	$996	$158	Low
24	Rodney, Auckland	31.3%	505	$1,433	$224	Low
25	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	30.0%	318	$1,729	$250	Low
26	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	24.6%	306	$932	$194	Low

How to Choose an Airbnb Investment Market in New Zealand

No single ranking tells the full story. The best Airbnb market for a given investor depends on their capital, risk tolerance, operating model, and income goals. The four ranking dimensions on this page — market depth, revenue, ADR, and occupancy — serve different investor profiles.

If you prioritize predictable cash flow, start with the occupancy rankings. Markets where occupancy exceeds 55% offer consistent bookings and lower vacancy risk. High-occupancy markets may not have the highest nightly rates, but their revenue stability makes them better suited for mortgage-backed investments where monthly debt coverage matters more than peak earnings.

If you're targeting maximum income per property, use the revenue rankings. Revenue is the product of nightly rate and occupancy — it captures the combined effect of both. The highest-revenue Airbnb markets in New Zealand tend to be destination cities where travelers stay longer and pay a premium for entire-home listings.

If you're evaluating luxury or premium positioning, the ADR rankings show where guests are willing to pay top dollar per night. High-ADR markets reward property upgrades, professional photography, and amenity investments. However, a high nightly rate with low occupancy may generate less income than a moderately priced listing that stays booked consistently.

If you want the deepest market data, the active listings rankings identify cities with the largest short-term rental supply. More listings mean more comparable properties for pricing, more data points for revenue projections, and typically a more liquid resale market if your investment thesis changes.

In all cases, check the regulation column before committing capital. A profitable market with high regulation may require permits, annual caps on rental days, or costly compliance steps that erode returns. Markets with low regulation offer faster time-to-market but may tighten rules as STR supply grows.

Short-Term Rental Regulation in New Zealand

Understanding the regulatory environment is critical for any Airbnb investment in New Zealand. Regulation affects licensing costs, annual operating limits, tax obligations, and the long-term viability of a short-term rental strategy.

Across the 100 markets ranked on this page: 100 have a low regulation profile (generally operator-friendly with minimal licensing requirements), 0 have medium regulation (some permit or registration requirements), and 0 have high regulation (strict licensing, annual rental day caps, or active enforcement). Markets with low regulation offer the lowest barrier to entry, while high-regulation markets may still be profitable — but require careful compliance planning and often limit the number of properties a single operator can manage.

AirROI classifies regulation as a market-level signal based on available ordinance data and platform registration patterns. This is not legal advice — always verify current local ordinances, as short-term rental rules can change rapidly, especially in high-growth markets where municipalities are actively responding to STR expansion.

How We Rank the Best Airbnb Investment Markets in New Zealand

This page ranks Airbnb markets in New Zealand across four dimensions that matter most to short-term rental investors and operators: market depth (active listings), revenue potential (monthly income per listing), pricing power (average daily rate), and booking demand (occupancy rate). Each ranking uses the same underlying dataset but sorts by a different metric, giving you multiple lenses to evaluate where to invest in Airbnb in New Zealand.

No single metric tells the full story. A market with high ADR but low occupancy may underperform one with moderate pricing and strong demand. Revenue captures the combined effect of rate and occupancy, while active listings signal whether a market has enough depth for reliable benchmarking and a liquid resale environment. We include regulation data alongside every ranking so you can weigh compliance risk before committing capital.

Ranking Methodology & Data Sources

Active Listings (TTM): The count of active short-term rental listings in each market over the trailing twelve months — a proxy for market maturity, data reliability, and investor confidence in New Zealand.
Monthly Revenue: Average gross revenue per listing per month — the bottom-line metric for evaluating Airbnb profitability in New Zealand and projecting cash flow.
Average Daily Rate (ADR): The mean nightly booking price across all active listings — the clearest measure of a market's short-term rental pricing power.
Occupancy Rate: Percentage of available nights booked — the demand signal that determines how much of your nightly rate converts to actual income. Occupancy rankings are filtered to markets with 300+ listings to exclude small markets with unreliable averages.
Regulation: An indicator of the local regulatory climate in New Zealand, from low (operator-friendly) to high (strict licensing and enforcement) — essential for assessing compliance risk.

All data is sourced from AirROI's proprietary analytics pipeline, which tracks 20,000,000+ properties across 190+ countries. Metrics are recalculated on a rolling basis using trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Airbnb Markets in New Zealand

These quick answers summarize the most common investor and operator questions using AirROI's latest market data for New Zealand.

What are the best places to invest in Airbnb in New Zealand?

Queenstown, Otago leads this ranking for New Zealand with 2,614 active listings — the largest market by depth. Markets are ranked by listing count because deeper markets offer more comparable data, more pricing benchmarks, and a more predictable operating environment for investors. Each row also shows revenue, ADR, occupancy, and regulation so investors can evaluate based on what matters most to them.

Which market has the highest Airbnb revenue in New Zealand?

Lake Tekapo, Canterbury posts the highest average monthly revenue in this ranking at $5,361. Revenue leaders often combine healthy rates, solid occupancy, and enough listing scale to support repeatable operations rather than one-off outliers.

Which market has the strongest Airbnb occupancy in New Zealand?

Lake Tekapo, Canterbury has the highest occupancy rate in this comparison at 61.4%. High occupancy can signal resilient demand, but investors still need to balance it against nightly rates, regulation, and supply depth before deciding where to buy or operate.

Which market has the highest Airbnb nightly rate in New Zealand?

Queenstown, Otago commands the highest average daily rate at $366 per night. A high ADR does not automatically translate to the highest revenue — occupancy and seasonality determine how much of that rate converts to realized income.

Which Airbnb markets in New Zealand have the lowest regulation?

Queenstown (Otago), Christchurch (Canterbury), Auckland (Auckland) currently show low regulation profiles in this ranking. Lower regulation can reduce compliance costs and time-to-market for new hosts, but investors should always verify local ordinances before purchasing — rules can change quickly as short-term rental markets grow.

Is short-term rental investing still profitable in New Zealand in 2026?

The markets ranked here average 39.2% occupancy, and the top performer posts $5,361 in monthly revenue. Profitability depends on property acquisition cost, local operating expenses, and regulation compliance — but the data shows active, performing markets exist across New Zealand for well-researched investors.

How often are AirROI's top Airbnb market rankings updated?

AirROI updates these rankings using the latest market snapshot available in the dataset, which for this page is anchored to 2026. Rankings should be treated as current market intelligence rather than permanent truths because pricing, demand, regulation, and supply can all shift over time.

What metrics should I use to evaluate Airbnb investments in New Zealand?

The most important metrics for comparing short-term rental markets are active listing count (market depth and data reliability), occupancy rate (demand consistency), average daily rate (pricing power), monthly revenue (income potential), and regulation level (compliance cost and risk). This ranking sorts by market depth first; use the other columns to filter for the profile that fits your investment strategy.

What makes a good Airbnb market for first-time investors in New Zealand?

First-time investors in New Zealand should prioritize markets with high occupancy (55%+) and low regulation, which reduce the risk of empty calendars and compliance surprises. Markets with 200+ active listings also provide better benchmarking data and a more predictable operating environment. Revenue is important, but consistent demand is more forgiving for operators still learning pricing and guest management.

What is a good Airbnb occupancy rate in New Zealand?

Across the markets ranked here, the average occupancy rate in New Zealand is 39.2%. Occupancy above 50% is generally considered healthy for short-term rentals, and above 65% signals strong, sustained demand. However, the best occupancy rate depends on pricing strategy — some hosts maximize revenue by targeting fewer bookings at higher nightly rates rather than maximizing booking volume.

How does regulation affect Airbnb investment returns in New Zealand?

Regulation is one of the most overlooked risks in short-term rental investing. In New Zealand, 100 of 100 ranked markets have low regulation, 0 have medium, and 0 have high. High-regulation markets often require permits, limit annual rental days, or impose occupancy taxes — all of which reduce net returns. Low-regulation markets offer faster time-to-market and lower compliance costs, but rules can tighten as STR supply grows.

What is the difference between ADR and RevPAR for Airbnb investing?

ADR (Average Daily Rate) is the average nightly price guests pay, while RevPAR (Revenue Per Available Rental night) factors in both price and occupancy. A market with $200 ADR and 50% occupancy has $100 RevPAR — the same as a market with $125 ADR and 80% occupancy. RevPAR is a better single-number benchmark for comparing markets because it captures how effectively nightly rates convert to realized income. AirROI's city-level reports include RevPAR with percentile breakdowns for deeper analysis.

How many Airbnb listings does a market need to be investable in New Zealand?

Markets with fewer than 100 active listings can show volatile averages that do not predict future performance. The median market in this New Zealand ranking has about 173 listings. Larger markets (500+) offer more reliable data, more comparable properties for pricing, and typically a more liquid exit if you decide to sell. Smaller markets can still be profitable, but investors should treat the data as directional rather than precise.

How do seasonal and year-round Airbnb markets differ in New Zealand?

Seasonal markets in New Zealand experience dramatic swings in booking demand — often earning 60-70% of annual revenue in just 3-4 peak months. Year-round markets deliver steadier cash flow with lower peak-to-trough variation. Investors who need predictable monthly income should prioritize high-occupancy markets with low seasonal variance, while those comfortable with cash-flow timing can target seasonal markets where peak rates compensate for off-season softness.

About AirROI Market Data

AirROI tracks over 20 million properties across 190+ countries and maintains 15+ years of historical performance data, making it one of the deepest Airbnb and STR intelligence platforms available. The analytics pipeline aggregates listing-level data monthly — revenue, occupancy, nightly rates, RevPAR, guest demographics, booking patterns, and competitive supply — so investors and operators can benchmark any market against its own history and against neighboring destinations.

Real estate investors, property managers, financial institutions, hospitality consultants, and academic researchers rely on AirROI data to underwrite acquisitions, optimize pricing, model macro trends, and conduct peer-reviewed research. Data is available through in-depth market reports, the data portal for bulk downloads, the Airbnb API with 22 endpoints, and an Airbnb MCP Server for AI agents.

All metrics reflect trailing twelve-month aggregates from active listings as of 2026-08-08. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

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