Over the last six months (October 2002 to March 2003), New Zealand has seen revPAR (revenue per available room) increase by 17 percent to NZ$104 compared to the same period the prior year. All markets, bar one, tracked on the New Zealand edition of the HotelBenchmark Survey by Deloitte & Touche, reported revPAR growth during this period, with all twelve markets managing to increase their average room rate (ARR). Stronger growth was reported on the North Island, bolstered by the performance of Auckland - the host city of the America�s Cup. The North Island saw revPAR increase by 20 percent to NZ$109, compared to a nine percent increase on the South Island to NZ$95 compared to the same period the prior year. 

The last six months have seen Auckland outshine the performance of any other market tracked on the survey - overall the city has seen revPAR grow by 29 percent to reach NZ$118. Hotel performance was particularly strong in February, when the majority of final races were held. During this time revPAR reached NZ$135 - the highest level the market has achieved in the history of the survey. Wellington on the other hand, was the only market to report a revPAR decline over the last six months, despite a marginal growth in ARR this was offset entirely by falling occupancy levels. Although Wellington recorded the second highest ARR of all the cities tracked (NZ$140) it also reported the lowest occupancy levels of 74 percent. 

Preliminary March 2003 data shows that despite a marginal fall in occupancy (one percent), overall revPAR across New Zealand grew by six percent to NZ$108 compared to March 2002. Whilst Auckland continued to report positive growth, all other cities (Christchurch, Queenstown, Rotorua and Wellington) all reported revPAR declines, driven in every case (except Wellington) solely by falling occupancy levels. 
Latest figures from Statistics New Zealand show an overall decline in overseas visitor arrivals to the country in March 2003 of four percent compared to March 2002. 

Although some visitors may have been deterred from travelling in March on account of the situation with Iraq and the uncertainly surrounding SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), the impact of Easter, which fell last year in March, should not be forgotten. Overall however, overseas visitor arrivals to New Zealand for the 12 months to March 2003 showed a six percent increase on the prior period.

Note: all analysis in local currency (New Zealand dollars).