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APEC Stories: Australia-NZ trips become easier for Chinese travelers

Updated 13:00, 18-Oct-2025
A newborn koala with its mother at the Australian Reptile Park, Australia, June 21, 2024. /VCG
A newborn koala with its mother at the Australian Reptile Park, Australia, June 21, 2024. /VCG

A newborn koala with its mother at the Australian Reptile Park, Australia, June 21, 2024. /VCG

Lupine flowers bloom at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. /VCG
Lupine flowers bloom at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. /VCG

Lupine flowers bloom at Lake Tekapo, New Zealand. /VCG

 Uluru, or Ayers Rock, in Australia. /VCG
Uluru, or Ayers Rock, in Australia. /VCG

Uluru, or Ayers Rock, in Australia. /VCG

The aurora in the Port Hills area of Christchurch, New Zealand. /VCG
The aurora in the Port Hills area of Christchurch, New Zealand. /VCG

The aurora in the Port Hills area of Christchurch, New Zealand. /VCG

Chinese tourists take photos in front of the Wanaka Tree, a lonely willow tree in Wanaka, New Zealand, September 27, 2025. /VCG
Chinese tourists take photos in front of the Wanaka Tree, a lonely willow tree in Wanaka, New Zealand, September 27, 2025. /VCG

Chinese tourists take photos in front of the Wanaka Tree, a lonely willow tree in Wanaka, New Zealand, September 27, 2025. /VCG

Editor's note: The 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held in Gyeongju, South Korea, from October 31 to November 1. CGTN's "APEC Stories" series will showcase cooperation and culture of 21 APEC economies through visual storytelling.

Exploring Australia's iconic wildlife and vibrant cities alongside New Zealand's adventure tourism, stunning landscapes and Maori culture is about to get easier for Chinese travelers.

Starting November 3, New Zealand will trial a visa waiver for Chinese passport holders traveling from Australia with a valid Australian visa. Chinese passport holders will be able to visit New Zealand for up to 3 months using only a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority – no separate visa required, according to Immigration New Zealand. 

Tourism is a pillar of New Zealand's economy, with China ranking as its third-largest inbound market. Chinese visitors contributed 1.24 billion NZ dollars (approximately $747.8 million) in the fiscal year ending March 2025. In Australia, Chinese tourists spent 9.2 billion Australian dollars (approximately $5.99 billion) in the 12 months up to March 2025, making China Australia's largest tourism market by expenditure. 

This new policy will make dual Australia-New Zealand trips more convenient and appealing, boosting tourism and strengthening both economies. 

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