Kiwi Link supports New Zealand tourism businesses to build relationships with travel sellers, showcase their products and experiences, and strengthen the trade’s capability to promote and sell New Zealand.

23 New Zealand tourism organisations made the trip, representing a diverse range of destinations and experiences. Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, Hobbiton Movie Set, Te Puia, ChristchurchNZ and RealNZ were among those attending.

Japan continues to offer an important opportunity for New Zealand tourism. In the year ending February 2026, New Zealand welcomed 75,123 visitors from Japan, while an estimated 4.5 million Japanese travellers were actively considering a trip to New Zealand. 

Alongside one-on-one business appointments, the programme gave travel sellers a taste of New Zealand through food and beverage, wellness activities and networking.

Tourism New Zealand General Manager International Angela Blair says Japan is a high-value market with strong alignment to the types of visitors New Zealand wants to attract.

“There is already strong intent to visit New Zealand among Japanese travellers, and importantly, many are looking for exactly the experiences we do so well, from connecting with nature and beautiful landscapes to food, wellness and relaxation.

“Kiwi Link is about helping turn that desire into action. Bringing New Zealand tourism businesses face-to-face with Japanese travel sellers builds their knowledge of the experiences available and the relationships that help them confidently recommend and sell a New Zealand holiday.”

South Korea also presents significant potential for future growth, with the latest research identifying around 6.2 million people actively considering a New Zealand holiday. 

Kiwi Link Korea combined one-on-one business appointments with a welcome function celebrating Korean culture and bringing together New Zealand tourism businesses, travel trade and other guests.

Blair says working closely with the Korean travel trade is particularly important given the way prospective visitors plan their holidays.

“Around 60% of people in Korea actively considering a holiday to New Zealand are likely to use travel aggregators or travel agents when planning their trip, which makes strong trade relationships particularly valuable. 

“With millions of Koreans already considering New Zealand, Kiwi Link is an opportunity to give the people selling our destination greater knowledge of what we have to offer and help move travellers from dreaming about New Zealand to booking a trip.”

Across Japan and Korea, more than 1,000 business appointments were held, giving New Zealand tourism operators opportunities to build commercial relationships, showcase their products and experiences and support future business.