Despite a plateau in tourism arrivals, the sector is seeing positive signs. 

Overseas visitor arrivals were at 3.23 million for the year to September, which is up on the same month last year, but well below 2019's almost 4 million. 

But Tourism New Zealand CEO Rene de Monchy says international holiday visitors are up 29% on last year. 

He told Mike Hosking international visitor spending is also on the rise. 

De Monchy says while visitors are at around 83% of 2019 levels, we're at 100% of the value in the year to June 2024. 

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