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

Source: AirROI Reviewed by Jun Zhou , Founder @ AirROI

Updated: 2026-05-04

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 2,305 active listings and $5,118/month revenue. Across all ranked markets, average occupancy is 38.2% with $1,515/month in average revenue and $178/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 2,305 active short-term rental listings and $5,118/month in average revenue.

#	Market	Active Listings (TTM)	Revenue/mo	ADR	Occupancy	Regulation
1	Queenstown, Otago	2,305	$5,118	$362	55.6%	Low
2	Christchurch, Canterbury	1,993	$1,616	$126	49.5%	Low
3	Waitematā, Auckland	1,328	$1,732	$150	48.4%	Low
4	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	1,157	$1,411	$198	35.2%	Low
5	Wānaka, Otago	1,106	$2,790	$286	44.8%	Low
6	Wellington, Wellington	1,015	$1,391	$125	43.5%	Low
7	Taupō, Waikato	931	$2,043	$213	38.9%	Low
8	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	728	$1,478	$213	34.2%	Low
9	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	646	$2,112	$161	46.4%	Low
10	Dunedin, Otago	569	$1,515	$136	44.3%	Low
11	Waiheke, Auckland	544	$2,326	$345	32.2%	Low
12	Rodney, Auckland	531	$1,426	$223	31.2%	Low
13	Hamilton, Waikato	495	$1,347	$124	41.9%	Low
14	Nelson, Nelson	480	$1,319	$163	41.2%	Low
15	Napier, Hawke's Bay	436	$1,325	$165	37.1%	Low
16	New Plymouth, Taranaki	432	$1,099	$143	35.4%	Low
17	Auckland, Auckland	419	$1,757	$168	45.1%	Low
18	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	418	$5,289	$301	60.1%	Low
19	Raglan, Waikato	394	$1,526	$185	37.0%	Low
20	Fiordland Community, Southland	371	$2,269	$173	52.5%	Low
21	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	370	$1,281	$157	37.2%	Low
22	Albert-Eden, Auckland	368	$1,138	$136	40.0%	Low
23	Te Hiku Community, Northland	307	$1,021	$157	31.3%	Low
24	Ōrākei, Auckland	300	$1,413	$162	43.0%	Low
25	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	296	$977	$190	23.8%	Low
26	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	290	$1,488	$158	38.2%	Low
27	Twizel, Canterbury	279	$2,533	$177	51.5%	Low
28	Kaikōura, Canterbury	269	$1,934	$196	39.2%	Low
29	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	266	$1,830	$259	29.2%	Low
30	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	255	$1,366	$170	40.1%	Low
31	Howick, Auckland	241	$1,367	$139	39.4%	Low
32	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	231	$1,504	$227	33.4%	Low
33	Martinborough Community, Wellington	223	$1,657	$194	33.5%	Low
34	Franklin, Auckland	221	$1,329	$174	35.4%	Low
35	Lower Hutt, Wellington	216	$1,066	$101	42.3%	Low
36	Gisborne, Gisborne	215	$1,130	$190	32.9%	Low
37	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	215	$1,598	$217	35.7%	Low
38	Whitianga, Waikato	214	$1,374	$204	34.1%	Low
39	Jacks Point, Otago	213	$2,672	$305	48.6%	Low
40	Kaipātiki, Auckland	201	$875	$121	38.0%	Low
41	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	198	$1,145	$139	36.0%	Low
42	Cromwell Community, Otago	193	$1,493	$210	38.2%	Low
43	Whangārei, Northland	186	$1,075	$127	37.9%	Low
44	Whangamatā, Waikato	186	$1,148	$223	28.4%	Low
45	Arrowtown, Otago	182	$2,845	$316	45.9%	Low
46	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	178	$1,398	$227	31.1%	Low
47	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	177	$1,101	$105	41.9%	Low
48	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	169	$1,313	$185	33.8%	Low
49	Cambridge, Waikato	157	$1,304	$162	38.7%	Low
50	Masterton, Wellington	150	$1,086	$138	32.7%	Low
51	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	149	$1,141	$106	42.9%	Low
52	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	149	$1,003	$107	37.0%	Low
53	Blenheim, Marlborough	144	$1,432	$142	41.1%	Low
54	Vincent Community, Otago	137	$1,153	$147	35.0%	Low
55	Paraparaumu, Wellington	134	$1,444	$160	38.0%	Low
56	Albert Town, Otago	126	$1,955	$193	46.8%	Low
57	Lake Hāwea, Otago	126	$1,814	$195	46.0%	Low
58	Invercargill City, Southland	126	$1,226	$111	42.8%	Low
59	Upper Harbour, Auckland	124	$1,160	$122	41.8%	Low
60	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	116	$1,625	$218	32.9%	Low
61	Tūrangi, Waikato	115	$1,009	$147	30.5%	Low
62	Porirua, Wellington	114	$1,136	$113	38.4%	Low
63	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	112	$866	$133	37.2%	Low
64	Tairua, Waikato	110	$1,159	$199	31.4%	Low
65	Whau, Auckland	107	$734	$95	36.1%	Low
66	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	106	$907	$121	30.5%	Low
67	Mangawhai, Northland	105	$1,596	$238	28.7%	Low
68	Oamaru, Otago	103	$1,610	$138	43.7%	Low
69	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	102	$1,237	$200	33.5%	Low
70	Hahei, Waikato	102	$2,291	$265	38.5%	Low
71	Picton, Marlborough	101	$1,746	$170	42.9%	Low
72	Methven, Canterbury	99	$1,680	$167	41.1%	Low
73	Cooks Beach, Waikato	98	$1,275	$202	35.3%	Low
74	Greytown Community, Wellington	93	$1,297	$144	34.7%	Low
75	Coromandel, Waikato	91	$1,210	$148	34.0%	Low
76	Puketāpapa, Auckland	89	$1,129	$111	41.6%	Low
77	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	87	$1,541	$269	32.0%	Low
78	Pauanui, Waikato	87	$985	$285	21.3%	Low
79	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	85	$1,210	$110	40.7%	Low
80	Kinloch, Waikato	82	$1,766	$223	33.0%	Low
81	Timaru, Canterbury	80	$1,147	$108	42.2%	Low
82	Upper Hutt, Wellington	78	$783	$85	37.0%	Low
83	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	76	$1,157	$158	31.6%	Low
84	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	76	$958	$125	32.1%	Low
85	Hokitika, West Coast	76	$2,340	$156	51.7%	Low
86	Motueka, Tasman	74	$1,007	$134	38.1%	Low
87	Tamahere, Waikato	74	$1,758	$215	36.9%	Low
88	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	73	$2,224	$203	44.6%	Low
89	Matarangi, Waikato	72	$1,278	$268	25.1%	Low
90	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	71	$1,117	$200	28.6%	Low
91	Richmond, Tasman	70	$1,201	$144	41.8%	Low
92	Māpua, Tasman	63	$1,169	$181	35.7%	Low
93	Waikawa, Marlborough	61	$1,161	$134	40.6%	Low
94	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	58	$785	$110	33.1%	Low
95	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	58	$1,053	$231	25.6%	Low
96	Ōakura, Taranaki	57	$1,450	$167	36.3%	Low
97	Matamata, Waikato	56	$1,635	$128	48.7%	Low
98	Lake Hayes, Otago	55	$2,616	$284	50.3%	Low
99	Wharekaho, Waikato	53	$890	$188	28.2%	Low
100	Papakura, Auckland	51	$1,101	$132	34.2%	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 $5,289/month at $301 ADR and 60.1% 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	$5,289	418	$301	60.1%	Low
2	Queenstown, Otago	$5,118	2,305	$362	55.6%	Low
3	Arrowtown, Otago	$2,845	182	$316	45.9%	Low
4	Wānaka, Otago	$2,790	1,106	$286	44.8%	Low
5	Jacks Point, Otago	$2,672	213	$305	48.6%	Low
6	Lake Hayes, Otago	$2,616	55	$284	50.3%	Low
7	Twizel, Canterbury	$2,533	279	$177	51.5%	Low
8	Hokitika, West Coast	$2,340	76	$156	51.7%	Low
9	Waiheke, Auckland	$2,326	544	$345	32.2%	Low
10	Hahei, Waikato	$2,291	102	$265	38.5%	Low
11	Fiordland Community, Southland	$2,269	371	$173	52.5%	Low
12	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$2,224	73	$203	44.6%	Low
13	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$2,112	646	$161	46.4%	Low
14	Taupō, Waikato	$2,043	931	$213	38.9%	Low
15	Albert Town, Otago	$1,955	126	$193	46.8%	Low
16	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$1,934	269	$196	39.2%	Low
17	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$1,830	266	$259	29.2%	Low
18	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$1,814	126	$195	46.0%	Low
19	Kinloch, Waikato	$1,766	82	$223	33.0%	Low
20	Tamahere, Waikato	$1,758	74	$215	36.9%	Low
21	Auckland, Auckland	$1,757	419	$168	45.1%	Low
22	Picton, Marlborough	$1,746	101	$170	42.9%	Low
23	Waitematā, Auckland	$1,732	1,328	$150	48.4%	Low
24	Methven, Canterbury	$1,680	99	$167	41.1%	Low
25	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$1,657	223	$194	33.5%	Low
26	Matamata, Waikato	$1,635	56	$128	48.7%	Low
27	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$1,625	116	$218	32.9%	Low
28	Christchurch, Canterbury	$1,616	1,993	$126	49.5%	Low
29	Oamaru, Otago	$1,610	103	$138	43.7%	Low
30	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$1,598	215	$217	35.7%	Low
31	Mangawhai, Northland	$1,596	105	$238	28.7%	Low
32	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$1,541	87	$269	32.0%	Low
33	Raglan, Waikato	$1,526	394	$185	37.0%	Low
34	Dunedin, Otago	$1,515	569	$136	44.3%	Low
35	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$1,504	231	$227	33.4%	Low
36	Cromwell Community, Otago	$1,493	193	$210	38.2%	Low
37	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$1,488	290	$158	38.2%	Low
38	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$1,478	728	$213	34.2%	Low
39	Ōakura, Taranaki	$1,450	57	$167	36.3%	Low
40	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$1,444	134	$160	38.0%	Low
41	Blenheim, Marlborough	$1,432	144	$142	41.1%	Low
42	Rodney, Auckland	$1,426	531	$223	31.2%	Low
43	Ōrākei, Auckland	$1,413	300	$162	43.0%	Low
44	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$1,411	1,157	$198	35.2%	Low
45	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$1,398	178	$227	31.1%	Low
46	Wellington, Wellington	$1,391	1,015	$125	43.5%	Low
47	Whitianga, Waikato	$1,374	214	$204	34.1%	Low
48	Howick, Auckland	$1,367	241	$139	39.4%	Low
49	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$1,366	255	$170	40.1%	Low
50	Hamilton, Waikato	$1,347	495	$124	41.9%	Low
51	Franklin, Auckland	$1,329	221	$174	35.4%	Low
52	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$1,325	436	$165	37.1%	Low
53	Nelson, Nelson	$1,319	480	$163	41.2%	Low
54	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$1,313	169	$185	33.8%	Low
55	Cambridge, Waikato	$1,304	157	$162	38.7%	Low
56	Greytown Community, Wellington	$1,297	93	$144	34.7%	Low
57	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$1,281	370	$157	37.2%	Low
58	Matarangi, Waikato	$1,278	72	$268	25.1%	Low
59	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$1,275	98	$202	35.3%	Low
60	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$1,237	102	$200	33.5%	Low
61	Invercargill City, Southland	$1,226	126	$111	42.8%	Low
62	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$1,210	85	$110	40.7%	Low
63	Coromandel, Waikato	$1,210	91	$148	34.0%	Low
64	Richmond, Tasman	$1,201	70	$144	41.8%	Low
65	Māpua, Tasman	$1,169	63	$181	35.7%	Low
66	Waikawa, Marlborough	$1,161	61	$134	40.6%	Low
67	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$1,160	124	$122	41.8%	Low
68	Tairua, Waikato	$1,159	110	$199	31.4%	Low
69	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,157	76	$158	31.6%	Low
70	Vincent Community, Otago	$1,153	137	$147	35.0%	Low
71	Whangamatā, Waikato	$1,148	186	$223	28.4%	Low
72	Timaru, Canterbury	$1,147	80	$108	42.2%	Low
73	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$1,145	198	$139	36.0%	Low
74	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$1,141	149	$106	42.9%	Low
75	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$1,138	368	$136	40.0%	Low
76	Porirua, Wellington	$1,136	114	$113	38.4%	Low
77	Gisborne, Gisborne	$1,130	215	$190	32.9%	Low
78	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$1,129	89	$111	41.6%	Low
79	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$1,117	71	$200	28.6%	Low
80	Papakura, Auckland	$1,101	51	$132	34.2%	Low
81	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,101	177	$105	41.9%	Low
82	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$1,099	432	$143	35.4%	Low
83	Masterton, Wellington	$1,086	150	$138	32.7%	Low
84	Whangārei, Northland	$1,075	186	$127	37.9%	Low
85	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$1,066	216	$101	42.3%	Low
86	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	$1,053	58	$231	25.6%	Low
87	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$1,021	307	$157	31.3%	Low
88	Tūrangi, Waikato	$1,009	115	$147	30.5%	Low
89	Motueka, Tasman	$1,007	74	$134	38.1%	Low
90	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$1,003	149	$107	37.0%	Low
91	Pauanui, Waikato	$985	87	$285	21.3%	Low
92	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$977	296	$190	23.8%	Low
93	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$958	76	$125	32.1%	Low
94	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$907	106	$121	30.5%	Low
95	Wharekaho, Waikato	$890	53	$188	28.2%	Low
96	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$875	201	$121	38.0%	Low
97	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$866	112	$133	37.2%	Low
98	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	$785	58	$110	33.1%	Low
99	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$783	78	$85	37.0%	Low
100	Whau, Auckland	$734	107	$95	36.1%	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 $362/night, generating $5,118/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	$362	2,305	$5,118	55.6%	Low
2	Waiheke, Auckland	$345	544	$2,326	32.2%	Low
3	Arrowtown, Otago	$316	182	$2,845	45.9%	Low
4	Jacks Point, Otago	$305	213	$2,672	48.6%	Low
5	Lake Tekapo, Canterbury	$301	418	$5,289	60.1%	Low
6	Wānaka, Otago	$286	1,106	$2,790	44.8%	Low
7	Pauanui, Waikato	$285	87	$985	21.3%	Low
8	Lake Hayes, Otago	$284	55	$2,616	50.3%	Low
9	Kaiteriteri, Tasman	$269	87	$1,541	32.0%	Low
10	Matarangi, Waikato	$268	72	$1,278	25.1%	Low
11	Hahei, Waikato	$265	102	$2,291	38.5%	Low
12	Hanmer Springs, Canterbury	$259	266	$1,830	29.2%	Low
13	Mangawhai, Northland	$238	105	$1,596	28.7%	Low
14	Pukehina Beach, Bay of Plenty	$231	58	$1,053	25.6%	Low
15	Papamoa, Bay of Plenty	$227	231	$1,504	33.4%	Low
16	Mangawhai Heads, Northland	$227	178	$1,398	31.1%	Low
17	Kinloch, Waikato	$223	82	$1,766	33.0%	Low
18	Rodney, Auckland	$223	531	$1,426	31.2%	Low
19	Whangamatā, Waikato	$223	186	$1,148	28.4%	Low
20	Waihi Beach, Bay of Plenty	$218	116	$1,625	32.9%	Low
21	Havelock North, Hawke's Bay	$217	215	$1,598	35.7%	Low
22	Tamahere, Waikato	$215	74	$1,758	36.9%	Low
23	Taupō, Waikato	$213	931	$2,043	38.9%	Low
24	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	$213	728	$1,478	34.2%	Low
25	Cromwell Community, Otago	$210	193	$1,493	38.2%	Low
26	Whitianga, Waikato	$204	214	$1,374	34.1%	Low
27	Ngongotahā, Bay of Plenty	$203	73	$2,224	44.6%	Low
28	Cooks Beach, Waikato	$202	98	$1,275	35.3%	Low
29	Aotea Great Barrier, Auckland	$200	71	$1,117	28.6%	Low
30	Ōhope, Bay of Plenty	$200	102	$1,237	33.5%	Low
31	Tairua, Waikato	$199	110	$1,159	31.4%	Low
32	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	$198	1,157	$1,411	35.2%	Low
33	Kaikōura, Canterbury	$196	269	$1,934	39.2%	Low
34	Lake Hāwea, Otago	$195	126	$1,814	46.0%	Low
35	Martinborough Community, Wellington	$194	223	$1,657	33.5%	Low
36	Albert Town, Otago	$193	126	$1,955	46.8%	Low
37	Ohakune, Manawatū-Whanganui	$190	296	$977	23.8%	Low
38	Gisborne, Gisborne	$190	215	$1,130	32.9%	Low
39	Wharekaho, Waikato	$188	53	$890	28.2%	Low
40	Raglan, Waikato	$185	394	$1,526	37.0%	Low
41	Hastings, Hawke's Bay	$185	169	$1,313	33.8%	Low
42	Māpua, Tasman	$181	63	$1,169	35.7%	Low
43	Twizel, Canterbury	$177	279	$2,533	51.5%	Low
44	Franklin, Auckland	$174	221	$1,329	35.4%	Low
45	Fiordland Community, Southland	$173	371	$2,269	52.5%	Low
46	Devonport-Takapuna, Auckland	$170	255	$1,366	40.1%	Low
47	Picton, Marlborough	$170	101	$1,746	42.9%	Low
48	Auckland, Auckland	$168	419	$1,757	45.1%	Low
49	Ōakura, Taranaki	$167	57	$1,450	36.3%	Low
50	Methven, Canterbury	$167	99	$1,680	41.1%	Low
51	Napier, Hawke's Bay	$165	436	$1,325	37.1%	Low
52	Nelson, Nelson	$163	480	$1,319	41.2%	Low
53	Cambridge, Waikato	$162	157	$1,304	38.7%	Low
54	Ōrākei, Auckland	$162	300	$1,413	43.0%	Low
55	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	$161	646	$2,112	46.4%	Low
56	Paraparaumu, Wellington	$160	134	$1,444	38.0%	Low
57	National Park, Manawatū-Whanganui	$158	76	$1,157	31.6%	Low
58	Banks Peninsula Community, Canterbury	$158	290	$1,488	38.2%	Low
59	Te Hiku Community, Northland	$157	307	$1,021	31.3%	Low
60	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	$157	370	$1,281	37.2%	Low
61	Hokitika, West Coast	$156	76	$2,340	51.7%	Low
62	Waitematā, Auckland	$150	1,328	$1,732	48.4%	Low
63	Coromandel, Waikato	$148	91	$1,210	34.0%	Low
64	Tūrangi, Waikato	$147	115	$1,009	30.5%	Low
65	Vincent Community, Otago	$147	137	$1,153	35.0%	Low
66	Richmond, Tasman	$144	70	$1,201	41.8%	Low
67	Greytown Community, Wellington	$144	93	$1,297	34.7%	Low
68	New Plymouth, Taranaki	$143	432	$1,099	35.4%	Low
69	Blenheim, Marlborough	$142	144	$1,432	41.1%	Low
70	Waitākere Ranges, Auckland	$139	198	$1,145	36.0%	Low
71	Howick, Auckland	$139	241	$1,367	39.4%	Low
72	Masterton, Wellington	$138	150	$1,086	32.7%	Low
73	Oamaru, Otago	$138	103	$1,610	43.7%	Low
74	Dunedin, Otago	$136	569	$1,515	44.3%	Low
75	Albert-Eden, Auckland	$136	368	$1,138	40.0%	Low
76	Waikawa, Marlborough	$134	61	$1,161	40.6%	Low
77	Motueka, Tasman	$134	74	$1,007	38.1%	Low
78	Henderson-Massey, Auckland	$133	112	$866	37.2%	Low
79	Papakura, Auckland	$132	51	$1,101	34.2%	Low
80	Matamata, Waikato	$128	56	$1,635	48.7%	Low
81	Whangārei, Northland	$127	186	$1,075	37.9%	Low
82	Christchurch, Canterbury	$126	1,993	$1,616	49.5%	Low
83	Wellington, Wellington	$125	1,015	$1,391	43.5%	Low
84	Oraka Aparima Community, Southland	$125	76	$958	32.1%	Low
85	Hamilton, Waikato	$124	495	$1,347	41.9%	Low
86	Upper Harbour, Auckland	$122	124	$1,160	41.8%	Low
87	Kaipātiki, Auckland	$121	201	$875	38.0%	Low
88	Kaikohe-Hokianga Community, Northland	$121	106	$907	30.5%	Low
89	Porirua, Wellington	$113	114	$1,136	38.4%	Low
90	Invercargill City, Southland	$111	126	$1,226	42.8%	Low
91	Puketāpapa, Auckland	$111	89	$1,129	41.6%	Low
92	Māngere-Ōtāhuhu, Auckland	$110	85	$1,210	40.7%	Low
93	Ōtara-Papatoetoe, Auckland	$110	58	$785	33.1%	Low
94	Timaru, Canterbury	$108	80	$1,147	42.2%	Low
95	Whanganui, Manawatū-Whanganui	$107	149	$1,003	37.0%	Low
96	Maungakiekie-Tāmaki, Auckland	$106	149	$1,141	42.9%	Low
97	Palmerston North, Manawatū-Whanganui	$105	177	$1,101	41.9%	Low
98	Lower Hutt, Wellington	$101	216	$1,066	42.3%	Low
99	Whau, Auckland	$95	107	$734	36.1%	Low
100	Upper Hutt, Wellington	$85	78	$783	37.0%	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 60.1% occupancy, $5,289/month revenue, and 418 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	60.1%	418	$5,289	$301	Low
2	Queenstown, Otago	55.6%	2,305	$5,118	$362	Low
3	Fiordland Community, Southland	52.5%	371	$2,269	$173	Low
4	Christchurch, Canterbury	49.5%	1,993	$1,616	$126	Low
5	Waitematā, Auckland	48.4%	1,328	$1,732	$150	Low
6	Rotorua, Bay of Plenty	46.4%	646	$2,112	$161	Low
7	Auckland, Auckland	45.1%	419	$1,757	$168	Low
8	Wānaka, Otago	44.8%	1,106	$2,790	$286	Low
9	Dunedin, Otago	44.3%	569	$1,515	$136	Low
10	Wellington, Wellington	43.5%	1,015	$1,391	$125	Low
11	Ōrākei, Auckland	43.0%	300	$1,413	$162	Low
12	Hamilton, Waikato	41.9%	495	$1,347	$124	Low
13	Nelson, Nelson	41.2%	480	$1,319	$163	Low
14	Albert-Eden, Auckland	40.0%	368	$1,138	$136	Low
15	Taupō, Waikato	38.9%	931	$2,043	$213	Low
16	Hibiscus and Bays, Auckland	37.2%	370	$1,281	$157	Low
17	Napier, Hawke's Bay	37.1%	436	$1,325	$165	Low
18	Raglan, Waikato	37.0%	394	$1,526	$185	Low
19	New Plymouth, Taranaki	35.4%	432	$1,099	$143	Low
20	Tauranga, Bay of Plenty	35.2%	1,157	$1,411	$198	Low
21	Bay of Islands-Whangaroa Community, Northland	34.2%	728	$1,478	$213	Low
22	Waiheke, Auckland	32.2%	544	$2,326	$345	Low
23	Te Hiku Community, Northland	31.3%	307	$1,021	$157	Low
24	Rodney, Auckland	31.2%	531	$1,426	$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 2,305 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 $5,289. 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 60.1%. 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 $362 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 38.2% occupancy, and the top performer posts $5,289 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 38.2%. 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 150 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 2026-05-04. 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