Wellington

As of May 2026, Wellington, Lower Hutt, Porirua, Martinborough have 1,755 active Airbnb and VRBO listings. This represents a 12% decrease from the previous year.

The average Airbnb or VRBO in Wellington generates NZ$35K per year. High-performing properties earn NZ$63K/year, while low-performing properties earn NZ$16K/year. This wide revenue spread suggests that market returns are highly sensitive to property-specific variables rather than broad market trends, as high performers maintain significant earnings despite a double-digit contraction in total unit supply.

Airbnb and VRBO can be profitable in Wellington. Average annual revenue is NZ$35K with 41% occupancy. High-performing properties earn up to NZ$63K/year. The delta between average and high-performing revenue indicates that top-tier assets are capturing a disproportionate share of demand, effectively insulating them from the broader 8% revenue decline seen across the market.

The average occupancy rate for Airbnbs and VRBOs in Wellington is 41%. This occupancy level, combined with an average nightly rate of NZ$241, results in a RevPAR (revenue per available room) of NZ$65 per day.

4+ bedroom properties demonstrate the strongest performance in Wellington, with annual revenue of NZ$58K. These properties balance operating costs and rental demand most effectively in the Wellington market. Property performance varies significantly by location, amenities, and management quality.

Short-term rental regulations vary by jurisdiction in the Wellington area. Wellington: Lenient. No specific short-term rental regulations or registration required. General residential zoning and building code apply. Minimal enforcement. Lower Hutt: Lenient. No dedicated STR regulations. Must comply with general residential zoning. Very light enforcement. Porirua: Lenient. No specific STR permits or licenses required. Standard residential rules apply. Minimal enforcement activity. Martinborough: Lenient. No STR-specific regulations. General district plan rules only. Light enforcement in small tourism town. Always verify current regulations with local authorities and obtain necessary permits before operating a short-term rental.

The Wellington Airbnb and VRBO market is currently showing balanced conditions. Supply has declined 12% year-over-year, while RevPAR has decreased 8%. This indicates balanced supply-demand dynamics. The simultaneous contraction in both supply and revenue suggests that the market is recalibrating to lower demand levels rather than experiencing a supply-driven surplus.

Launch around January, 2-3 months before peak winter season (April peaks). This pre-peak timing lets you build reviews when competition is -61% lower than peak months. Avoid launching during peak season when established listings dominate, or slow months (June-August) when gaining traction is harder.

The most common amenities in Wellington listings include: Kitchen (98%), Tv (89%), Heating (84%), Washing Machine (78%), Parking (58%). Amenities that boost revenue the most include Washing Machine, Hot Tub, Bbq, with Washing Machine properties earning approximately 50% more (NZ$56K/year vs NZ$38K/year).

Monthly estimated revenue per listing in Wellington over the last 12 months: May: NZ$1K, June: NZ$1K, July: NZ$2K, August: NZ$1K, September: NZ$2K, October: NZ$2K, November: NZ$2K, December: NZ$2K, January: NZ$2K, February: NZ$2K, March: NZ$3K, April: NZ$3K. These figures are based on RevPAR (revenue per available room) multiplied by the number of days in each month.

The overall average nightly rate in Wellington is NZ$241, up 10% year-over-year. By property size: 1-bedroom properties average NZ$160/night, 2-bedroom properties average NZ$236/night, 3-bedroom properties average NZ$319/night, 4+ bedroom properties average NZ$497/night. Rates peak in January and are lowest in May.

Guests in Wellington book an average of 31 days in advance, down 21% from last year. By property size: 1-bedroom: 28 days, 2-bedroom: 33 days, 3-bedroom: 34 days, 4+ bedroom: 38 days. Larger properties tend to have longer booking windows as guests plan group trips further ahead.

Over the past year, the Wellington Airbnb and VRBO market has seen the following changes: supply declined 12%, revenue per listing decreased 8%, occupancy fell 11%, average nightly rates increased 10%, and lead time decreased 21%. These metrics imply a shift toward shorter-notice bookings and higher pricing sensitivity, as providers attempt to offset lower occupancy through rate hikes.

In Wellington, Saturday sees the highest booking demand while Monday has the lowest. Nightly rates peak on Saturday and are lowest on Tuesday. Weekends show 34% higher occupancy than weekdays.