They spend more per day than any other visitor market, but they prefer to pay with digital wallets. Accept WeChat Pay and Alipay on the Verifone terminal you already have.
Golden Week, 1–7 October
Chinese arrivals are up 31%. Can you take their money?
Stats NZ, year ended July 2026. Tourism New Zealand International Visitor Survey, year ended March 2026.
$502
average daily spend, highest of any visitor market
320,804
Chinese arrivals in the year to July 2026
+31.1%
growth in arrivals year on year
1 - 7 October 2026
What is Golden Week?
Golden Week is a week-long public holiday marking the founding of the People's Republic of China. Workers get extended time off to rest, visit family and travel, and a significant share of that travel goes overseas. New Zealand is a long-haul favourite.
Chinese visitors spent $1.5 billion here in the year to March 2026, up from $1.2 billion the year before. At $502 per visitor per day, they out-spend every other market we welcome — and they spend across the board: retail, hospitality, experiences and more.
Arrivals don't start on 1 October. Bookings and travel build through late September.
.svg "nz-hotspots-chinese payments (1)")
Where they're landing
Auckland is still the largest entry point, but South Island airports now account for 27% of Chinese arrivals, up from 16% a year earlier. Arrivals through Queenstown rose 171.9% in the year to July 2026. Christchurch rose 101.3%.
In September the government announced $5 million through the Regional Tourism Boost to draw international visitors into the regions during the shoulder season. If you trade in one of those regions, the work to get these visitors to your door is already underway and already funded. What that money can't do is make sure they will spend with you when they reach your counter.
Why accept Chinese Payments with Eftpos NZ?
.jpg?width=1400&height=838&name=Eftpos-Specs-New-Terminal-WeChat%20(1).jpg)
Attract more customers
Chinese visitors open WeChat Pay or Alipay and look for two things: who takes it, and what's on offer. Once you're enabled, you're in that view at the exact moment someone is deciding where to spend, alongside the exchange-rate coupons, vouchers and rewards the wallets fund themselves.
Ask your provider for the window decals and counter signage when you sign up. Bring the same materials out each peak: Golden Week in early October, Lunar New Year in January and February.
.png)
Simply switch it on
WeChat Pay and Alipay run on your existing Verifone Android EFTPOS device. Nothing new for your staff to learn. Once you're enabled, the WeChat Pay and Alipay icons sit on the payment screen your team already uses. The customer opens their app, taps to pay, and the QR code shows on screen for them to scan. You get paid in New Zealand dollars.
Recently upgraded and lost Chinese payments?
Some businesses moving to a new Android terminal have found WeChat Pay and Alipay no longer work. If that's happened to you, it doesn't have to stay that way. We can have you back up and running before Golden Week!
Year-round revenue
Chinese payments aren't only a seasonal opportunity. New Zealand has a large, settled Chinese community, and thousands of Chinese students arrive each year. Many keep paying the way they always have, because that's where their money sits and it's how they pay family and friends at home.
Free guide to Chinese payments
“We wanted to have extra payment options for tourists. The setup was very easy and it is so easy to process the payments.”
Melaina, Admin, Tussock Hill
“The integration into our existing EFTPOS terminal went smoothly, and we noticed that transactions are quick and hassle-free, which is a big plus for both our staff and customers."
Alex Huang, AJ Motors
“Our Chinese customers love it. The set-up on the Android EFTPOS machine is great. The printout payment confirmation gives our customers a sense of security. ”
Fox Lee, U-Fly
Watch a demo
Frequently Asked Questions
What will it cost me?
There is no setup fee or minimum monthly fee* for WeChat Pay or Alipay acceptance with PayPlus. A 2% per transaction processing fee does apply.
*Pricing may vary by third-party provider
What are Chinese payments?
WeChat Pay and Alipay are the two mobile wallets most visitors from China use. Customers scan a QR code on your EFTPOS terminal and you get paid in New Zealand dollars.
When is Golden Week 2026?
1 to 7 October 2026. Arrivals often start in late September, so it pays to be ready early.
How quickly can I be ready for Golden Week?
If you already have a Verifone Android terminal, activation takes three business days and can be done remotely. Enquire by Friday 26 September to be live for 1 October.
Is this only worth it for tourist towns?
No. Chinese residents and students spend year-round wherever they live, and acceptance pays for itself on just a handful of transactions.
What is Alipay+?
Alipay+ connects merchants to 40 partner wallets across 100+ countries, serving 1.8 billion users. All accepted through the same integration, with no extra setup per wallet.
Do I need a new terminal?
For most Eftpos NZ merchants, it's a switch-on on your existing Verifone Android terminal. If you're with another provider or need a device, tell us in the form and we'll advise.
How safe are these payments?
Only you, the merchant, can start a refund. A customer can't request one through their bank or the app, which takes chargebacks off the table. The QR code on your terminal also refreshes every 60 seconds, so it can't be reused.