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

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI

Updated: 2026-04-08

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 2,343 active listings and $5,035/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 38.4% with $1,513/month in average revenue and $179/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 2,343 active short-term rental listings and $5,035/month in average revenue.

#	Market	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Queenstown, Otago	2,343	$5,035	$364	55.6%	Low
2	Christchurch, Canterbury	2,034	$1,597	$126	49.7%	Low
3	Waitematā, Auckland	1,402	$1,714	$151	48.0%	Low
4	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	1,197	$1,441	$198	35.8%	Low
5	Wānaka, Otago	1,128	$2,742	$287	44.9%	Low
6	Wellington, Wellington	1,053	$1,379	$127	43.5%	Low
7	Taupō, Waikato	951	$2,060	$216	39.4%	Low
8	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	739	$1,503	$216	34.6%	Low
9	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	662	$2,104	$162	46.9%	Low
10	Dunedin, Otago	584	$1,526	$138	44.3%	Low
11	Waiheke, Auckland	560	$2,304	$344	32.1%	Low
12	Rodney, Auckland	543	$1,445	$223	31.6%	Low
13	Hamilton, Waikato	505	$1,371	$125	42.3%	Low
14	Nelson, Nelson	498	$1,293	$164	40.9%	Low
15	New Plymouth, Taranaki	456	$1,098	$144	36.1%	Low
16	Napier, Hawke's Bay	452	$1,341	$168	37.5%	Low
17	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	423	$5,264	$297	60.7%	Low
18	Auckland, Auckland	421	$1,680	$168	45.4%	Low
19	Raglan, Waikato	403	$1,529	$186	37.2%	Low
20	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	391	$1,257	$159	37.1%	Low
21	Albert-Eden, Auckland	381	$1,173	$142	40.0%	Low
22	Fiordland Community, Southland	371	$2,307	$176	52.6%	Low
23	Te Hiku Community, Northland	317	$1,048	$161	32.2%	Low
24	Ōrākei, Auckland	304	$1,447	$162	43.2%	Low
25	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	297	$1,010	$194	24.0%	Low
26	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	292	$1,540	$159	39.2%	Low
27	Twizel, Canterbury	285	$2,465	$182	50.4%	Low
28	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	272	$1,865	$262	30.1%	Low
29	Kaikōura, Canterbury	272	$1,977	$198	40.1%	Low
30	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	268	$1,355	$176	39.3%	Low
31	Howick, Auckland	259	$1,329	$136	38.8%	Low
32	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	237	$1,513	$227	34.0%	Low
33	Martinborough Community, Wellington	232	$1,707	$199	34.3%	Low
34	Franklin, Auckland	231	$1,312	$172	35.5%	Low
35	Lower Hutt, Wellington	227	$1,049	$101	42.0%	Low
36	Gisborne, Gisborne	222	$1,156	$190	33.4%	Low
37	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	220	$1,644	$218	36.1%	Low
38	Jacks Point, Otago	216	$2,660	$300	48.9%	Low
39	Whitianga, Waikato	216	$1,399	$207	34.2%	Low
40	Kaipātiki, Auckland	208	$879	$121	38.9%	Low
41	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	204	$1,152	$141	36.5%	Low
42	Cromwell Community, Otago	201	$1,495	$211	38.9%	Low
43	Whangārei, Northland	193	$1,084	$128	38.8%	Low
44	Whangamatā, Waikato	191	$1,127	$224	28.6%	Low
45	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	183	$1,390	$230	31.6%	Low
46	Arrowtown, Otago	181	$2,915	$318	46.3%	Low
47	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	179	$1,142	$107	42.3%	Low
48	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	171	$1,357	$187	34.2%	Low
49	Cambridge, Waikato	164	$1,299	$162	40.3%	Low
50	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	157	$1,018	$111	38.5%	Low
51	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	156	$1,138	$106	42.9%	Low
52	Masterton, Wellington	151	$1,113	$140	33.1%	Low
53	Blenheim, Marlborough	148	$1,437	$143	41.8%	Low
54	Vincent Community, Otago	141	$1,148	$148	35.1%	Low
55	Paraparaumu, Wellington	136	$1,448	$161	38.7%	Low
56	Upper Harbour, Auckland	132	$1,131	$123	40.8%	Low
57	Albert Town, Otago	132	$1,895	$199	45.9%	Low
58	Lake Hāwea, Otago	131	$1,799	$206	46.2%	Low
59	Invercargill City, Southland	129	$1,248	$112	43.7%	Low
60	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	120	$846	$130	36.4%	Low
61	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	119	$1,635	$221	33.5%	Low
62	Whau, Auckland	117	$726	$102	35.6%	Low
63	Porirua, Wellington	116	$1,179	$117	39.2%	Low
64	Tairua, Waikato	115	$1,153	$202	31.4%	Low
65	Mangawhai, Northland	113	$1,538	$238	29.6%	Low
66	Tūrangi, Waikato	113	$1,070	$150	31.6%	Low
67	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	108	$914	$121	30.5%	Low
68	Oamaru, Otago	108	$1,573	$138	43.6%	Low
69	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	106	$1,211	$196	33.5%	Low
70	Picton, Marlborough	105	$1,750	$169	42.7%	Low
71	Hahei, Waikato	104	$2,259	$266	38.8%	Low
72	Methven, Canterbury	102	$1,601	$170	39.6%	Low
73	Cooks Beach, Waikato	99	$1,291	$201	35.3%	Low
74	Greytown Community, Wellington	97	$1,298	$146	35.1%	Low
75	Puketāpapa, Auckland	94	$1,133	$115	41.8%	Low
76	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	92	$1,511	$267	32.5%	Low
77	Coromandel, Waikato	91	$1,224	$150	34.5%	Low
78	Pauanui, Waikato	91	$963	$276	22.8%	Low
79	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	89	$1,232	$114	40.5%	Low
80	Kinloch, Waikato	89	$1,708	$220	33.7%	Low
81	Timaru, Canterbury	82	$1,127	$110	41.8%	Low
82	Upper Hutt, Wellington	81	$780	$87	36.0%	Low
83	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	78	$973	$124	33.1%	Low
84	Hokitika, West Coast	78	$2,315	$155	51.7%	Low
85	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	77	$2,233	$202	45.2%	Low
86	Motueka, Tasman	77	$991	$132	39.0%	Low
87	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	75	$1,219	$162	31.9%	Low
88	Matarangi, Waikato	75	$1,277	$267	25.5%	Low
89	Tamahere, Waikato	75	$1,723	$213	36.8%	Low
90	Richmond, Tasman	74	$1,142	$143	40.4%	Low
91	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	73	$1,114	$200	29.2%	Low
92	Waikawa, Marlborough	64	$1,161	$137	41.5%	Low
93	Māpua, Tasman	63	$1,196	$183	36.2%	Low
94	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	62	$805	$111	34.4%	Low
95	Ōakura, Taranaki	62	$1,355	$168	35.6%	Low
96	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	58	$1,101	$234	26.4%	Low
97	Matamata, Waikato	58	$1,611	$129	48.4%	Low
98	Lake Hayes, Otago	57	$2,550	$278	49.1%	Low
99	Papakura, Auckland	53	$1,079	$132	33.6%	Low
100	Wharekaho, Waikato	53	$922	$190	28.7%	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 $5,264/month at $297 ADR and 60.7% 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	$5,264	423	$297	60.7%	Low
2	Queenstown, Otago	$5,035	2,343	$364	55.6%	Low
3	Arrowtown, Otago	$2,915	181	$318	46.3%	Low
4	Wānaka, Otago	$2,742	1,128	$287	44.9%	Low
5	Jacks Point, Otago	$2,660	216	$300	48.9%	Low
6	Lake Hayes, Otago	$2,550	57	$278	49.1%	Low
7	Twizel, Canterbury	$2,465	285	$182	50.4%	Low
8	Hokitika, West Coast	$2,315	78	$155	51.7%	Low
9	Fiordland Community, Southland	$2,307	371	$176	52.6%	Low
10	Waiheke, Auckland	$2,304	560	$344	32.1%	Low
11	Hahei, Waikato	$2,259	104	$266	38.8%	Low
12	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$2,233	77	$202	45.2%	Low
13	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$2,104	662	$162	46.9%	Low
14	Taupō, Waikato	$2,060	951	$216	39.4%	Low
15	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$1,977	272	$198	40.1%	Low
16	Albert Town, Otago	$1,895	132	$199	45.9%	Low
17	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$1,865	272	$262	30.1%	Low
18	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$1,799	131	$206	46.2%	Low
19	Picton, Marlborough	$1,750	105	$169	42.7%	Low
20	Tamahere, Waikato	$1,723	75	$213	36.8%	Low
21	Waitematā, Auckland	$1,714	1,402	$151	48.0%	Low
22	Kinloch, Waikato	$1,708	89	$220	33.7%	Low
23	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$1,707	232	$199	34.3%	Low
24	Auckland, Auckland	$1,680	421	$168	45.4%	Low
25	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$1,644	220	$218	36.1%	Low
26	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$1,635	119	$221	33.5%	Low
27	Matamata, Waikato	$1,611	58	$129	48.4%	Low
28	Methven, Canterbury	$1,601	102	$170	39.6%	Low
29	Christchurch, Canterbury	$1,597	2,034	$126	49.7%	Low
30	Oamaru, Otago	$1,573	108	$138	43.6%	Low
31	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$1,540	292	$159	39.2%	Low
32	Mangawhai, Northland	$1,538	113	$238	29.6%	Low
33	Raglan, Waikato	$1,529	403	$186	37.2%	Low
34	Dunedin, Otago	$1,526	584	$138	44.3%	Low
35	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$1,513	237	$227	34.0%	Low
36	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$1,511	92	$267	32.5%	Low
37	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$1,503	739	$216	34.6%	Low
38	Cromwell Community, Otago	$1,495	201	$211	38.9%	Low
39	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$1,448	136	$161	38.7%	Low
40	Ōrākei, Auckland	$1,447	304	$162	43.2%	Low
41	Rodney, Auckland	$1,445	543	$223	31.6%	Low
42	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$1,441	1,197	$198	35.8%	Low
43	Blenheim, Marlborough	$1,437	148	$143	41.8%	Low
44	Whitianga, Waikato	$1,399	216	$207	34.2%	Low
45	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$1,390	183	$230	31.6%	Low
46	Wellington, Wellington	$1,379	1,053	$127	43.5%	Low
47	Hamilton, Waikato	$1,371	505	$125	42.3%	Low
48	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$1,357	171	$187	34.2%	Low
49	Ōakura, Taranaki	$1,355	62	$168	35.6%	Low
50	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$1,355	268	$176	39.3%	Low
51	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$1,341	452	$168	37.5%	Low
52	Howick, Auckland	$1,329	259	$136	38.8%	Low
53	Franklin, Auckland	$1,312	231	$172	35.5%	Low
54	Cambridge, Waikato	$1,299	164	$162	40.3%	Low
55	Greytown Community, Wellington	$1,298	97	$146	35.1%	Low
56	Nelson, Nelson	$1,293	498	$164	40.9%	Low
57	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$1,291	99	$201	35.3%	Low
58	Matarangi, Waikato	$1,277	75	$267	25.5%	Low
59	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$1,257	391	$159	37.1%	Low
60	Invercargill City, Southland	$1,248	129	$112	43.7%	Low
61	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$1,232	89	$114	40.5%	Low
62	Coromandel, Waikato	$1,224	91	$150	34.5%	Low
63	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,219	75	$162	31.9%	Low
64	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$1,211	106	$196	33.5%	Low
65	Māpua, Tasman	$1,196	63	$183	36.2%	Low
66	Porirua, Wellington	$1,179	116	$117	39.2%	Low
67	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$1,173	381	$142	40.0%	Low
68	Waikawa, Marlborough	$1,161	64	$137	41.5%	Low
69	Gisborne, Gisborne	$1,156	222	$190	33.4%	Low
70	Tairua, Waikato	$1,153	115	$202	31.4%	Low
71	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$1,152	204	$141	36.5%	Low
72	Vincent Community, Otago	$1,148	141	$148	35.1%	Low
73	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,142	179	$107	42.3%	Low
74	Richmond, Tasman	$1,142	74	$143	40.4%	Low
75	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$1,138	156	$106	42.9%	Low
76	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$1,133	94	$115	41.8%	Low
77	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$1,131	132	$123	40.8%	Low
78	Timaru, Canterbury	$1,127	82	$110	41.8%	Low
79	Whangamatā, Waikato	$1,127	191	$224	28.6%	Low
80	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$1,114	73	$200	29.2%	Low
81	Masterton, Wellington	$1,113	151	$140	33.1%	Low
82	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	$1,101	58	$234	26.4%	Low
83	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$1,098	456	$144	36.1%	Low
84	Whangārei, Northland	$1,084	193	$128	38.8%	Low
85	Papakura, Auckland	$1,079	53	$132	33.6%	Low
86	Tūrangi, Waikato	$1,070	113	$150	31.6%	Low
87	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$1,049	227	$101	42.0%	Low
88	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$1,048	317	$161	32.2%	Low
89	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,018	157	$111	38.5%	Low
90	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,010	297	$194	24.0%	Low
91	Motueka, Tasman	$991	77	$132	39.0%	Low
92	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$973	78	$124	33.1%	Low
93	Pauanui, Waikato	$963	91	$276	22.8%	Low
94	Wharekaho, Waikato	$922	53	$190	28.7%	Low
95	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$914	108	$121	30.5%	Low
96	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$879	208	$121	38.9%	Low
97	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$846	120	$130	36.4%	Low
98	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	$805	62	$111	34.4%	Low
99	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$780	81	$87	36.0%	Low
100	Whau, Auckland	$726	117	$102	35.6%	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 $364/night, generating $5,035/month at 55.6% 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	$364	2,343	$5,035	55.6%	Low
2	Waiheke, Auckland	$344	560	$2,304	32.1%	Low
3	Arrowtown, Otago	$318	181	$2,915	46.3%	Low
4	Jacks Point, Otago	$300	216	$2,660	48.9%	Low
5	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	$297	423	$5,264	60.7%	Low
6	Wānaka, Otago	$287	1,128	$2,742	44.9%	Low
7	Lake Hayes, Otago	$278	57	$2,550	49.1%	Low
8	Pauanui, Waikato	$276	91	$963	22.8%	Low
9	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$267	92	$1,511	32.5%	Low
10	Matarangi, Waikato	$267	75	$1,277	25.5%	Low
11	Hahei, Waikato	$266	104	$2,259	38.8%	Low
12	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$262	272	$1,865	30.1%	Low
13	Mangawhai, Northland	$238	113	$1,538	29.6%	Low
14	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	$234	58	$1,101	26.4%	Low
15	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$230	183	$1,390	31.6%	Low
16	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$227	237	$1,513	34.0%	Low
17	Whangamatā, Waikato	$224	191	$1,127	28.6%	Low
18	Rodney, Auckland	$223	543	$1,445	31.6%	Low
19	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$221	119	$1,635	33.5%	Low
20	Kinloch, Waikato	$220	89	$1,708	33.7%	Low
21	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$218	220	$1,644	36.1%	Low
22	Taupō, Waikato	$216	951	$2,060	39.4%	Low
23	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$216	739	$1,503	34.6%	Low
24	Tamahere, Waikato	$213	75	$1,723	36.8%	Low
25	Cromwell Community, Otago	$211	201	$1,495	38.9%	Low
26	Whitianga, Waikato	$207	216	$1,399	34.2%	Low
27	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$206	131	$1,799	46.2%	Low
28	Tairua, Waikato	$202	115	$1,153	31.4%	Low
29	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$202	77	$2,233	45.2%	Low
30	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$201	99	$1,291	35.3%	Low
31	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$200	73	$1,114	29.2%	Low
32	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$199	232	$1,707	34.3%	Low
33	Albert Town, Otago	$199	132	$1,895	45.9%	Low
34	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$198	1,197	$1,441	35.8%	Low
35	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$198	272	$1,977	40.1%	Low
36	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$196	106	$1,211	33.5%	Low
37	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$194	297	$1,010	24.0%	Low
38	Wharekaho, Waikato	$190	53	$922	28.7%	Low
39	Gisborne, Gisborne	$190	222	$1,156	33.4%	Low
40	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$187	171	$1,357	34.2%	Low
41	Raglan, Waikato	$186	403	$1,529	37.2%	Low
42	Māpua, Tasman	$183	63	$1,196	36.2%	Low
43	Twizel, Canterbury	$182	285	$2,465	50.4%	Low
44	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$176	268	$1,355	39.3%	Low
45	Fiordland Community, Southland	$176	371	$2,307	52.6%	Low
46	Franklin, Auckland	$172	231	$1,312	35.5%	Low
47	Methven, Canterbury	$170	102	$1,601	39.6%	Low
48	Picton, Marlborough	$169	105	$1,750	42.7%	Low
49	Auckland, Auckland	$168	421	$1,680	45.4%	Low
50	Ōakura, Taranaki	$168	62	$1,355	35.6%	Low
51	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$168	452	$1,341	37.5%	Low
52	Nelson, Nelson	$164	498	$1,293	40.9%	Low
53	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$162	662	$2,104	46.9%	Low
54	Ōrākei, Auckland	$162	304	$1,447	43.2%	Low
55	Cambridge, Waikato	$162	164	$1,299	40.3%	Low
56	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$162	75	$1,219	31.9%	Low
57	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$161	136	$1,448	38.7%	Low
58	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$161	317	$1,048	32.2%	Low
59	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$159	391	$1,257	37.1%	Low
60	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$159	292	$1,540	39.2%	Low
61	Hokitika, West Coast	$155	78	$2,315	51.7%	Low
62	Waitematā, Auckland	$151	1,402	$1,714	48.0%	Low
63	Coromandel, Waikato	$150	91	$1,224	34.5%	Low
64	Tūrangi, Waikato	$150	113	$1,070	31.6%	Low
65	Vincent Community, Otago	$148	141	$1,148	35.1%	Low
66	Greytown Community, Wellington	$146	97	$1,298	35.1%	Low
67	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$144	456	$1,098	36.1%	Low
68	Richmond, Tasman	$143	74	$1,142	40.4%	Low
69	Blenheim, Marlborough	$143	148	$1,437	41.8%	Low
70	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$142	381	$1,173	40.0%	Low
71	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$141	204	$1,152	36.5%	Low
72	Masterton, Wellington	$140	151	$1,113	33.1%	Low
73	Oamaru, Otago	$138	108	$1,573	43.6%	Low
74	Dunedin, Otago	$138	584	$1,526	44.3%	Low
75	Waikawa, Marlborough	$137	64	$1,161	41.5%	Low
76	Howick, Auckland	$136	259	$1,329	38.8%	Low
77	Motueka, Tasman	$132	77	$991	39.0%	Low
78	Papakura, Auckland	$132	53	$1,079	33.6%	Low
79	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$130	120	$846	36.4%	Low
80	Matamata, Waikato	$129	58	$1,611	48.4%	Low
81	Whangārei, Northland	$128	193	$1,084	38.8%	Low
82	Wellington, Wellington	$127	1,053	$1,379	43.5%	Low
83	Christchurch, Canterbury	$126	2,034	$1,597	49.7%	Low
84	Hamilton, Waikato	$125	505	$1,371	42.3%	Low
85	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$124	78	$973	33.1%	Low
86	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$123	132	$1,131	40.8%	Low
87	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$121	208	$879	38.9%	Low
88	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$121	108	$914	30.5%	Low
89	Porirua, Wellington	$117	116	$1,179	39.2%	Low
90	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$115	94	$1,133	41.8%	Low
91	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$114	89	$1,232	40.5%	Low
92	Invercargill City, Southland	$112	129	$1,248	43.7%	Low
93	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	$111	62	$805	34.4%	Low
94	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$111	157	$1,018	38.5%	Low
95	Timaru, Canterbury	$110	82	$1,127	41.8%	Low
96	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$107	179	$1,142	42.3%	Low
97	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$106	156	$1,138	42.9%	Low
98	Whau, Auckland	$102	117	$726	35.6%	Low
99	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$101	227	$1,049	42.0%	Low
100	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$87	81	$780	36.0%	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 60.7% occupancy, $5,264/month revenue, and 423 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	60.7%	423	$5,264	$297	Low
2	Queenstown, Otago	55.6%	2,343	$5,035	$364	Low
3	Fiordland Community, Southland	52.6%	371	$2,307	$176	Low
4	Christchurch, Canterbury	49.7%	2,034	$1,597	$126	Low
5	Waitematā, Auckland	48.0%	1,402	$1,714	$151	Low
6	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	46.9%	662	$2,104	$162	Low
7	Auckland, Auckland	45.4%	421	$1,680	$168	Low
8	Wānaka, Otago	44.9%	1,128	$2,742	$287	Low
9	Dunedin, Otago	44.3%	584	$1,526	$138	Low
10	Wellington, Wellington	43.5%	1,053	$1,379	$127	Low
11	Ōrākei, Auckland	43.2%	304	$1,447	$162	Low
12	Hamilton, Waikato	42.3%	505	$1,371	$125	Low
13	Nelson, Nelson	40.9%	498	$1,293	$164	Low
14	Albert-Eden, Auckland	40.0%	381	$1,173	$142	Low
15	Taupō, Waikato	39.4%	951	$2,060	$216	Low
16	Napier, Hawke's Bay	37.5%	452	$1,341	$168	Low
17	Raglan, Waikato	37.2%	403	$1,529	$186	Low
18	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	37.1%	391	$1,257	$159	Low
19	New Plymouth, Taranaki	36.1%	456	$1,098	$144	Low
20	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	35.8%	1,197	$1,441	$198	Low
21	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	34.6%	739	$1,503	$216	Low
22	Te Hiku Community, Northland	32.2%	317	$1,048	$161	Low
23	Waiheke, Auckland	32.1%	560	$2,304	$344	Low
24	Rodney, Auckland	31.6%	543	$1,445	$223	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 2,343 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 $5,264. 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 60.7%. 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 $364 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), Waitematā (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 38.4% occupancy, and the top performer posts $5,264 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 38.4%. 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 157 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 2026-04-08. Revenue figures are market averages, not projections. For full methodology, see the data methodology page.

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What Other Airbnb Markets Are in New Zealand?

Auckland Bay of Plenty Bay of Plenty Region Canterbury Gisborne Hawke's Bay Manawatū-Whanganui Marlborough Nelson Northland Otago Southland Southland Region Taranaki Tasman Waikato Wellington West Coast