Tourist spending in NZ up 2.7 per cent

Spending by overseas visitors increased 2.7 per cent to $6.2 billion in the year to March, figures from the Tourism Ministry show.

Tourism Minister Damien O'Connor said the latest figures continued a trend of international visitors spending more each year.

"This comes off the back of figures showing tourism continues to be New Zealand's number one export earner, contributing 18.3 per cent of our exports."

Australians led the growth, with their spending up $249 million to $1.7 billion. Spending by British and Japanese tourists was also up, but spending by US and German tourists was down.

- NZPA