Tourists spend $6.4 billion in NZ

International visitors spent $6.4 billion while in New Zealand last year, Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said today.

This was 4 per cent up on the previous year's spending.

Mr O'Connor said the top dollars were spent by tourists from Australia ($1.5b), United Kingdom ($950m) and United States ($700m).

Spending by tourists from China and South Korea also increased last year after a recent dip.

"The data provides strong evidence that even in the face of a high currency the tourism industry continues to earn real wealth for New Zealand," Mr O'Connor said.

- NZPA