Based on the Mind & Matters Talking Points survey of 1,403 New Zealanders | Oct–Dec 2025
It’s that time of year — the sun’s getting stronger, the office is winding down, and the big question on every Kiwi’s lips is: are we actually going somewhere this summer, or are we staying put?
Mind & Matters surveyed 1,403 New Zealanders between October and December 2025 to find out exactly that. Here’s what they found — and what it says about the state of the Kiwi summer holiday in 2025.
More Kiwis Are Making Plans — But Most Are Still Winging It
Good news for the travel industry: more New Zealanders are locking in summer plans compared to this time last year. In 2025, 37% of those surveyed had confirmed holiday plans before the season even officially started — up from 33% in 2024.
But let’s be honest — that still means nearly two-thirds of us hadn’t sorted anything yet. A classic Kiwi move.
Of those who said they had no plans, 36% said they’d actually scheduled something for another time of year — up sharply from 25% in 2024. And only 3% said they never go away (compared to 11% last year). So it seems like the “I just don’t do holidays” crowd is shrinking.
| 37% | of Kiwis had confirmed summer holiday plans before December — up 4 points from 2024. |
| 36% | of those without plans say they’ve booked something for another time of year — an 11-point jump from 2024. |
Staying Local: Still the Kiwi Default
Whether it’s the spectacular landscapes, the familiar comfort of home turf, or just the cost of flights — New Zealanders continue to holiday locally in big numbers. Three-quarters (73%) of those with plans are staying within Aotearoa, virtually unchanged from 71% in 2024.
There are some interesting splits within that, though:
Women vs men: 80% of women are staying local, compared to 73% of men.
Young vs old: 37% of younger Kiwis are heading overseas, vs just 22% of those 65+.
South vs North: South Islanders are even more likely to stay local (83%), while a third of North Islanders (33%) plan an international trip.
Singles vs families: 87% of singles plan to stay in NZ, compared to 79% of those with kids.
“Getting away in our motorhome.”
What We’re Actually Looking Forward To
Ask a Kiwi what they’re most excited about over summer, and the answer is pretty clear: people. Family. Friends. The good stuff.
45% of those surveyed said spending time with family and friends was what they were most looking forward to — by far the top answer. This was especially true for women, with 52% citing it compared to just 28% of men.
Here’s the full breakdown of what Kiwis are most looking forward to:
🧡 45% — Spending time with family/friends
✈️ 35% — Travelling NZ/overseas
☀️ 14% — Beach/sun/warm weather
💼 14% — Taking a break from work/daily routine
😴 11% — Relaxing/resting
🏕️ 7% — Camping/fishing/hiking
🎉 4% — Concerts/festivals/events
“Visiting with my family — especially my grandchildren, whom I don’t get to see often.”
Where Are We Staying? Friends and Whānau Over Hotels
For domestic travellers, the most popular accommodation choice in 2025 is staying with friends or family — 42% plan to do this, up from 38% last year. Meanwhile, every other accommodation type has trended downward:
📉 Baches/Airbnb: Down from 41% to 32%
📉 Caravan/campervan/camping: Down from 36% to 27%
📉 Hotels: Down from 28% to 20%
Cost of living pressures seem to be reshaping how Kiwis holiday at home. Why pay for a bach when your mate has a spare room?
As for activities, rest and relaxation (85%) and connecting with friends and family (69%) top the list for domestic travellers — both up from 2024. Being active (hiking, biking, snorkelling) sits at 39%, while trying new foods (28%) and experiencing different cultures (18%) are less of a priority for those staying home.
The 27% Heading Overseas: Where Are They Going?
For those spreading their wings internationally, Australia remains the undisputed number one destination — and it’s pulling even further ahead. 46% of overseas-bound Kiwis are heading across the ditch in 2025, up from 36% in 2024.
Australia’s gain appears to be everyone else’s loss. Every other region saw a dip:
🇦🇺 Australia: 46% (up from 36%)
🌏 Asia: 26% (down from 28%)
🌍 Europe: 9% (down from 14%)
🌎 North/South America: 9% (down from 12%)
🌺 Other (incl. Pacific Islands): 10% (up slightly from 9%)
The report notes this shift may reflect global tensions and disruptions making closer, more familiar destinations feel safer and more appealing. The Pacific Islands — including Fiji, Rarotonga, and Samoa — were the most commonly mentioned “other” destinations.
“A cruise to the Pacific Islands.”
Overseas Travellers: More Active, Still Hungry for Rest
Those heading overseas aren’t just sitting by the pool. While rest and relaxation remains top (72%), there’s been a huge jump in those planning to be physically active — up from 15% to 32% in a single year. Road cycling through Tuscany, anyone?
Overseas travellers are also much more likely than domestic travellers to prioritise trying new foods (50% vs 28%) and experiencing different cultures (44% vs 18%).
What Makes Kiwis Choose a Destination?
When it comes to international travel, personal safety is the non-negotiable factor — 65% rate it as “very important”. Health risks (40%) and exchange rates (38%) come next, reflecting a savvy, value-conscious traveller. Environmental impact and politics, while considered, are less of a deal-breaker for most.
How Do Kiwis Plan Their Holidays?
No surprises here: word of mouth is king. Whether going local or overseas, 51% of New Zealanders turn to friends and family for holiday ideas and recommendations.
Those heading overseas are heavier researchers, using a much wider range of sources:
🌐 Travel websites: 48% (vs 23% for domestic travellers)
▶️ YouTube: 36% (vs 16%)
📸 Instagram: 34% (vs 16%)
🤖 AI tools/ChatGPT: 24% (vs 9%)
🎵 TikTok: 29% (vs 12%)
✈️ Travel agents: 22% (vs 5%)
Notably, 24% of overseas travellers are now using AI tools to plan their trips — a sign that technology is becoming a real part of the holiday planning toolkit.
In terms of planning depth: 68% of overseas travellers thoroughly plan and research everything, compared to just 49% of domestic travellers, who are more likely to wing it once they arrive.
Why Some Kiwis Aren’t Travelling: It’s the Cost, Mate
For the 41% who haven’t made summer plans, the number one barrier is money — 38% say it’s simply too expensive. That’s barely changed from 39% in 2024, showing that cost pressures continue to shape (or limit) holiday decisions for a significant chunk of the population.
The good news is that fewer people are saying “I never go away” (down from 11% to just 3%), suggesting more Kiwis want to travel — they’re just waiting for the right moment or the right budget.
| 38% | say cost is the main barrier to making summer holiday plans — virtually unchanged from 2024. |
The Big Takeaway
The 2025 summer holiday picture shows a New Zealand that’s cautiously optimistic. More people are planning than last year. More are heading to Australia. More are staying with friends and family rather than baches or hotels. And the number one motivation — above travel, beach, or relaxation — remains simply being with the people who matter.
Whether you’re packing a suitcase or planning a staycation, it sounds like this summer is shaping up to be one worth looking forward to.
🌊 Happy holidays, Aotearoa.
Source: Mind & Matters Talking Points, Oct–Dec 2025. Survey of 1,403 New Zealanders.
