For Indian business journalist Nimitt Dixit, New Zealand was more than a travel destination; it was an opportunity to explore the people, businesses and industries shaping the country’s economy.
According to a post shared on LinkedIn by ANZ Aotearoa, Dixit, a Special Correspondent with NDTV Profit, recently travelled across Aotearoa as part of an ANZ-hosted programme that brought him face-to-face with tourism operators, farmers, business leaders and policymakers.
His journey took him through Rotorua, Wairarapa, Wellington and Auckland, offering a closer look at the industries contributing to New Zealand’s export economy and the growing links between New Zealand and India.
One of the key stops was Rotorua, where the growing Indian visitor market is creating new opportunities for the tourism sector. Indian travellers are drawn to the region’s geysers, adventure activities, lakes and forests, but the experience also offers an introduction to New Zealand’s culture, stories and hospitality.
Indian visitor numbers have been rising, with arrivals reaching 83,000 in the year to May, highlighting the growing importance of the Indian market for New Zealand tourism.
According to ANZ Aotearoa's post on LinkedIn, the growing movement of people between the two countries comes at a time when New Zealand and India are also strengthening their economic relationship. The two countries signed a landmark Free Trade Agreement in April 2026, with the agreement providing duty-free access for Indian exports to New Zealand and improving market access for New Zealand exporters into India.
Tourism could become another important bridge between the two economies as these wider economic ties develop. For destinations such as Rotorua, the expanding Indian visitor market offers opportunities for tourism operators, hospitality businesses and local communities.
Dixit’s visit also extended beyond tourism. From the agricultural landscape of Wairarapa to the business and policy centres of Wellington and Auckland, the programme showcased the people and enterprises behind New Zealand’s economic activity.
According to ANZ Aotearoa, the visit included conversations with prominent figures and business leaders, including New Zealand Trade Minister Todd McClay, ANZ New Zealand CEO Antonia Watson and Air New Zealand CEO Nikhil Ravishankar, alongside visits to local businesses such as Rotorua adventure operator ZORB.
For an Indian business journalist, the journey offered a perspective on New Zealand that went beyond its familiar images of spectacular landscapes and adventure tourism, revealing an economy increasingly connected to India through tourism, trade, business and people-to-people links.
The ANZ-hosted programme was aimed at showcasing New Zealand’s economic strengths while highlighting the growing connections between the two countries.