Best Airbnb Markets in New Zealand (2026)
Based on Airbtics data from January 2025 to December 2025, this page shows the top Airbnb locations to invest in New Zealand with
key
statistics and information, like short-term rental regulations, number of listings, occupancy rate,
average daily rate, and annual revenue. This allows you to discover the most profitable cities to
invest in, buy, and own Airbnb rental properties in New Zealand.
The Airbtics Market Score indicates how attractive a location is for investing in an Airbnb rental property. We determine this score based on the following criteria:
- Short-term rental yield: The ratio between annual revenue and property price, as a percentage. Locations with higher Airbnb rental yield score better.
- Short-term rental regulations: How STR-friendly the local Airbnb rules and laws are. Markets with more lenient regulations get a higher score.
- Market size: The number of Airbnb listings. Larger vacation rental markets get a higher score as it is easier for investors to buy and sell properties.
- Growth: How fast the market is becoming saturated. Priority is given to markets that are already developed but are not approaching saturation yet.
- Seasonality: To what degree Airbnb performance is affected by seasonality. Less seasonal impact is preferred as investors can enjoy a more stable short-term rental performance throughout the year.
Last updated: February, 2026
New Zealand Short-Term Rental Market Overview (Full-Year 2025 Analysis)
Top 12 New Zealand Cities for Airbnb in 2026
| Position | Market Grade | Market Name | Regulation | No of Listings | Avg. Occupancy Rate | Avg. Daily Rate | Revenue | Short-term Rental Yield | Rent Gap |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | A | Otago | Lenient | 6,367 | 73% | $327 | $88,620 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 2 | D | Auckland | Lenient | 5,260 | 67% | $168 | $42,401 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 3 | B | Canterbury | Lenient | 4,815 | 70% | $210 | $55,107 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 4 | C | Bay of plenty | Lenient | 3,506 | 58% | $248 | $54,361 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 5 | D+ | Northland | Lenient | 2,569 | 53% | $235 | $46,870 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 6 | A | Queenstown | Lenient | 2,434 | 82% | $448 | $136,034 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 7 | C | Chirstchurch | Lenient | 2,219 | 74% | $176 | $49,096 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 8 | C | Tasman-nelson region | Lenient | 1,460 | 60% | $213 | $47,572 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 9 | D | Hawkes bay | Lenient | 1,299 | 54% | $226 | $45,816 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 10 | D | Wellington | Lenient | 1,251 | 67% | $169 | $42,389 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 11 | B+ | Wanaka | Lenient | 1,132 | 69% | $389 | $99,657 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
| 12 | B | Taupo | Lenient | 1,087 | 58% | $278 | $60,852 | 12.3% | 34.5% |
Find the Best Airbnb Markets with Our Interactive Tool
Use our interactive Market Explorer to find the best places to start an Airbnb in New Zealand. Compare multiple markets side by side, apply filters like regulations, budget (property or rent prices), and market size, and even export the results to Excel.
Explore Interactive Tool📊 Want a deeper dive into New Zealand's STR market?
Explore our comprehensive 2025 Short-Term Rental Market Report for New Zealand, featuring detailed market trends, supply analysis, and year-over-year insights.
View 2025 Market ReportWhy Invest in Airbnb New Zealand in 2026?
In recent years, New Zealand has emerged as one of the best locations for investing in
short-term rentals thanks to its popular tourist attractions, thriving business activities, growing
digital nomad presence, and vibrant cities like Queenstown, Wanaka and Otago. With millions of international
visitors coming each year, the demand for vacation rental accommodations is growing, making Airbnb
New Zealand a lucrative option for both local and foreign investors.
Due to strong demand from travelers, New Zealand offers competitive average daily rates
(ADR), healthy occupancy rates, and attractive revenue potential in the best Airbnb markets. Whether
you're looking to start your first Airbnb business with a modest budget or to add a luxury
short-term rental property to your portfolio, New Zealand has a profitable location to
meet your budget and aspirations as an investor.
Market Saturation Analysis: New Zealand
Benchmark: Markets are categorized relative to New Zealand's national averages (Supply: +14.6%, Revenue: +6.8%). Markets above the national average are marked with ↑, while those below are marked with ↓.
Healthy Growth
Supply > avg, Revenue > avg
Expansion with demand keeping up
- Queenstown Supply: +16.4% | Revenue: +18.1%
- Wanaka Supply: +14.9% | Revenue: +16.0%
- Otago Supply: +17.0% | Revenue: +15.1%
- Auckland Supply: +17.2% | Revenue: +12.5%
- Chirstchurch Supply: +20.1% | Revenue: +11.1%
- Canterbury Supply: +23.6% | Revenue: +7.6%
Early Saturation
Supply > avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Competition rising
- Wellington Supply: +14.8% | Revenue: -5.0%
Under-the-Radar
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue > avg
Hidden opportunities
- Bay of plenty Supply: +12.0% | Revenue: +7.7%
Declining
Supply ≤ avg, Revenue ≤ avg
Risky markets
- Hawkes bay Supply: +8.6% | Revenue: -8.2%
- Taupo Supply: +12.0% | Revenue: -0.8%
- Northland Supply: +11.2% | Revenue: +2.8%
- Tasman-nelson region Supply: +7.9% | Revenue: +3.9%
Best Cities for Airbnb in New Zealand by Budget
Top 3 Affordable & Mid-Range Airbnb Markets: $500,000 & Below
These markets offer accessible investment opportunities with lower to moderate property prices, suitable for investors seeking entry-level or mid-range options.
-
Otago
- Property price: $588,000
- STR revenue: $88,620/year
- Yield: 16.7%
-
Canterbury
- Property price: $588,000
- STR revenue: $55,107/year
- Yield: 10.0%
-
Northland
- Property price: $588,000
- STR revenue: $46,870/year
- Yield: 8.2%
Top 3 Best Places for Airbnb Arbitrage in New Zealand
-
Otago
- STR revenue: $88,620/year
- Rent gap: $8,019
-
Queenstown
- STR revenue: $136,034/year
- Rent gap: $7,072
-
Wanaka
- STR revenue: $99,657/year
- Rent gap: $6,130
- Starting an Airbnb in New Zealand? Check out our guide on how to start an Airbnb in New Zealand (Startup cost, profitability, and nationwide vacation rental statistics)
- For short-term rental market analysis, visit our Airbnb Analytics app.
Estimate Your Airbnb Income in New Zealand
Ready to start looking for the most profitable short-term rental investment opportunities in New Zealand?
Use our Airbnb calculator to quickly and accurately estimate the earning and profitability potential of any city, neighborhood, and area.
Try Our Airbnb Calculator