Where Are You Heading This Labour Weekend?

As Labour Weekend approaches, Kiwis are ready for their first real holiday opportunity since June, a much-needed spring escape after months of winter hibernation.

According to Booking.com Labour Day 2025 search insights, the top five domestic destinations remain steady, with Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua, Christchurch, and Taupō leading the list.

Yet it’s the strong year-on-year search increases that tell the real story: Christchurch up 50 percent, Napier up 45 percent, and Hamilton and Auckland both seeing a 40 percent lift.

For those chasing warmth and waves, the Bay of Plenty continues to shine. Napier and Tauranga are among the biggest risers, up 45 percent and 25 percent in searches compared to last year respectively, as Kiwis look to make the most of spring with coastal strolls and wineries.

Meanwhile, the South is holding strong for those craving crisp air and alpine views. Christchurch is one of the fastest climbers with searches up 50 percent, while Queenstown and Rotorua remain steady in the top three.

Internationally, Asia takes centre stage in Kiwi travel dreams this upcoming long weekend. Four of the top 10 most searched destinations are within the region, from Tokyo and Bangkok to Bali and Singapore, showing a clear shift toward culturally rich, food-driven getaways closer to home.

Bali’s Seminyak has become a firm favourite, while Japan’s capital continues to climb, up 45 percent year-on-year. Together, the results reflect the recent holiday home travel trends data, which found that food is a top motivator for travellers, with 74 percent influenced by it when selecting destinations, and 71 percent have chosen a destination solely to visit a particular restaurant.

Top 10 most searched domestic destinations: