“Those weather events have a big impact; we lost a week of business in January and January is our busiest month.”
Heavy rain and storms swept through Northland from January 18-21, causing evacuations, flooding and slips particularly the east coast from Whangaruru to Ngunguru and Ōakura.
Northland Regional Council’s hydrology report for January recorded an average of 232mm of rain across the region, 299% of the long-term monthly average.
Paihia Dive owner Craig Johnston.
Restaurateur Lloyd Rooney said summer had been “a mixed bag”.
The Cove in Waipu was up in January from the same time last year which was surprising because of the “atrocious” weather, and The Quay in Whangārei was up in December but down in January, he said.
The Cove co-owner Lloyd Rooney.
“The weather hasn’t been amazing, and there hasn’t been people hitting the beaches in their droves.
“It’s not been the best summer ever, anyone who is in hospitality will say that.
“We’ve had some really good months, and months that have been slightly quiet, but on the whole we can’t be unhappy.”
The Government recently welcomed new data showing international visitor arrivals continued to rise in December, with strong growth from China and Australia.
Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston said the Stats NZ figures showed New Zealand’s tourism recovery continues to build.
The December 2025 year was the first annual period to exceed 3.5 million overseas visitor arrivals since the March 2020 year.
“We’re seeing strong growth in visitors from China, with arrivals up by 29% [6400] in December 2025 … as more Chinese visitors experience New Zealand’s unique scenery and hospitality.”
Todd Evers who co-owns Bad Habits restaurant in Paihia said the cruise ships have helped an otherwise tough summer in business.
Todd Evers, who co-owns Bad Habits restaurant and Tipsy Oyster Tapas and Bar in Paihia, and the Nauti Penguin in Russell, said the weeks around Christmas into the second week of January were good as usual.
He agreed the weather that followed had a big impact.
Evers said business had been “tough” and he was hoping the coming year would be better.
“For the numbers that we’ve had here, we’re doing all right.
“It’s not awful, but obviously we’d like it better.
“The cruise ships have been a help that’s for sure.”
Stats NZ figures released in February show holiday spending contributed to a 0.9% rise in retail sales, up $239m in the December quarter compared with September.
Economic indicators spokesperson Michelle Feyen said pharmaceutical and other store-based retailing, electrical and electronic goods, and hardware, building and garden supplies saw the largest increases.
Twelve of the 16 regions recorded higher retail sales, with Northland up by 2.3%.
Tony Hood, owner of 100% Errol Rogers in Kerikeri, said he had a “slight increase in sales, but there’s been a drop in profit”.
The increase was seasonal, driven by Black Friday sales from early November to early December, followed by Boxing Day sales from mid-December to mid-January, he said.
“That’s why there’s been a slight increase but a corresponding decrease in margin,” Hood said.
“Everybody’s hurting at the moment.
“The suppliers are either increasing their prices to us or decreasing the recommended retail.”
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.