Episode Details

The arrival of cruise ship Crown Princess in Auckland has marked the start of the 2026/27 cruise season. 

Louise Upston says 200,000 cruise passengers are expected to visit New Zealand between now and the end of June and Tātaki Auckland Unlimited expects the cruise sector to contribute more than $200 million to the local economy this season.

But, NZ Cruise Association CEO Jacqui Lloyd told Mike Hosking the benefits aren't limited to the major centres.

"I think it's the regional spread that cruise provides, the international spend that comes into smaller regions around the country that don't necessarily usually see, a lot of international visitation areas like Tauranga, Napier, Picton, Dunedin."

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