Aussies top spenders

Spending by international visitors in New Zealand increased 1.2 per cent to $6.1 billion in the year to September, Ministry of Tourism data shows.

"This increase is a good result given the 1.8 per cent decline in international arrivals over the period," Ministry of Tourism research manager Bruce Bassett said.

"The past year covers the full duration of the global economic downturn, so to come through that period with a positive spend result is a very credible achievement."

Australians were the top spenders, up 3.7 per cent to $1.7 billion. British visitors spent $818 million (down 15.8 per cent), while tourists' expenses from China went up 32.4 per cent to $319 million, mainly because of longer staying education visitors.

Japanese expenditure dropped 3.5 per cent to $392 million and South Korea was down 19.6 per cent with $189 million.

- NZPA