More the merrier

The number of overseas visitors arriving in New Zealand has hit an August record, with strong growth from China who more than doubled from 46 in August 29 to 97 this August, exceeding the previous August high of 9 visitors from China in 27, Statistics New Zealand said. Visitors from Japan were up last month after being affected by the H1N1 pandemic in 29. Last month, New Zealand residents departed on 18,2 overseas trips, 2 per cent more than a year earlier, with more trips to the United States, Britain, the Cook Islands and China.