Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Rotorua, Bay of Plenty, New Zealand
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Rotorua? AirROI have just the data insights! Over the last twelve months from February 2024 to January 2025, we've uncovered key trends and opportunities that successful hosts are leveraging in Rotorua:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Rotorua?
The short-term rental market in Rotorua shows distinct revenue patterns across different property tiers. Our analysis reveals that successful properties combine strategic pricing with quality management to maximize earnings potential. Market data demonstrates clear revenue differentiation among properties:
- Typical properties (median) earn $2,160 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,536 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $4,981+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $1,165
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Rotorua
The market in Rotorua shows distinct occupancy patterns influenced by seasonal trends and local dynamics. Properties that maintain high guest satisfaction scores and implement strategic pricing consistently achieve stronger occupancy rates. Current market data shows:
- Typical properties (median) maintain 53% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 72% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 84%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 30%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Rotorua
Daily rates in Rotorua vary based on seasonality, property quality, and market dynamics. Properties that effectively balance competitive pricing with strong amenities typically command higher rates. Market analysis shows the following rate structure:
- Typical properties (median) generate $129 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $187 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $273+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $80
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Rotorua
Peak Season (December, January, March)
- Revenue peaks at $3506.66 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 65.10%
- Daily rates average $189.32
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2570.18 per month
- Occupancy maintains 50.84%
- Daily rates hold at $158.23
Low Season (July, September, August)
- Revenue drops to $1556.05 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 36.83%
- Daily rates adjust to $149.18
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Rotorua in 2025?
Yes! Rotorua demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a healthy occupancy rate of 51% and strong monthly revenue averaging $2570 and As a mature market with 647 active listings, there's strong demand despite the competition. There's also room for profit through rental arbitrage strategies, if you can identify competitively priced properties. To maximize your return on investment, consider employing the following strategies:
Peak Season Strategy
- Implement premium seasonal pricing strategies
- Set longer minimum stay requirements during high-demand periods
- Enforce stricter cancellation policies
Shoulder Season Strategy
- Maintain competitive market-based pricing
- Offer moderate-length stay incentives
- Target a mix of leisure and business travelers with flexible booking terms
- Focus on weekend getaway packages and mid-week business traveler promotions
Low Season Strategy
- Adjust pricing to remain competitive in the market
- Target different guest segments (families on vacation, festival goers, adventure tourists, international visitors)
- Create targeted promotional campaigns to drive occupancy
Top Places to Start Airbnb in Rotorua
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Lake Rotorua | A prime location for those seeking relaxation and natural beauty, offering stunning views of the lake and easy access to hot springs and geothermal activity, making it popular among tourists. | Rotorua Lakefront, Te Puia, Polynesian Spa, Government Gardens, Mokoia Island |
| Redwoods Forest | Famous for its towering Californian redwoods, this area is ideal for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. It offers a range of activities including mountain biking and hiking trails. | Redwoods Treewalk, Mountain Bike Trails, Redwood Forest, Rotorua Canopy Tours, Te Kainga Marire |
| Te Whakarewarewa | Known for its geothermal activity and Maori culture, this area attracts tourists interested in experiencing authentic Maori performances and hot springs. | Te Whakarewarewa Thermal Village, Mitai Maori Village, Tamaki Maori Village, Polynesian Spa, Whakarewarewa Geothermal Valley |
| Ngongotaha | A picturesque village located by the lake, popular with families for its scenic views and outdoor activities, providing a quieter alternative to the city center. | Lake Rotorua, Ngongotaha Stream, Skyline Rotorua, Zorb Rotorua, Agrodome |
| Ohinemutu | Rich in history and culture, this area is home to traditional Maori meeting grounds and provides visitors with a glimpse into the local culture and history. | St. Faith's Anglican Church, Ohinemutu Village, Te Wananga o Aotearoa, Eat Street, Lakefront Boardwalk |
| Kuirau Park | A unique geothermal park that provides a natural experience right in the city, attracting visitors who enjoy walking trails and natural hot mud pools. | Kuirau Park Thermal Walk, Mud Pools, Hot Lakes, Children's Playground, Kuirau Park Market |
| Rotorua City Center | The bustling heart of Rotorua, where visitors can find shopping, dining, and attractions. Ideal for those wanting convenience and accessibility. | Government Gardens, Rotorua Museum, Eat Street, Sir Howard Morrison Performing Arts Centre, Rotorua Night Market |
| Hamurana Springs | Famous for its beautiful spring and scenic beauty, Hamurana Springs is a hidden gem that attracts those looking for peace and picturesque landscapes. | Hamurana Springs Scenic Reserve, Lake Rotorua, Walking Trails, Picnic Areas, Māori Cultural Experiences |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Rotorua?
We recommend checking directly with Rotorua's local government regarding short-term rental licensing requirements. Current market data shows limited licensing information (0% of listings), making it essential to verify current regulations before starting your Airbnb business.
Top Performing Airbnb Properties in Rotorua
Bird House - 6 bedroom, 9 beds SPA POOL & views!
Entire Place • 6 bedrooms
The Hiltons
Entire Place • 11 bedrooms
Pukeko Landing
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
AristaAir- 'Poppies Luxury Villa'
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Lakeside Landing
Entire Place • 5 bedrooms
Lakeside Haven
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Rotorua
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| InnList | 76 | $3,222,808 | 6265 | 4.53/5.0 |
| Kristin | 11 | $623,411 | 920 | 4.81/5.0 |
| Jessie | 15 | $549,709 | 1714 | 4.69/5.0 |
| Wonderland | 18 | $293,560 | 1313 | 4.48/5.0 |
| Keira | 6 | $228,324 | 107 | 4.92/5.0 |
| Grant | 10 | $212,741 | 274 | 3.37/5.0 |
| Iris Wonderland | 6 | $198,658 | 1187 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Joe And Cynthia | 3 | $186,900 | 460 | 4.95/5.0 |
| Bachcare | 9 | $175,056 | 56 | 2.63/5.0 |
| Matt | 4 | $168,014 | 355 | 4.45/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Rotorua
AirROI also have other key metrics and comprehensive data for your vacation rental, real estate needs. Go explore the advanced metrics that can help you make informed decisions:
Room Type Distribution
Property Type Distribution
Key Insights
- Market dominated by entire home listings (82.1%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 77.2% of inventory
- Untapped potential in outdoor & mobile, unique stays segments (3.5% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 647 properties in Rotorua shows that 3 bedrooms properties are most prevalent, making up 22.1% of the market. The market tends to favor larger properties, with 3 bedrooms and 1 bedroom together representing 44.0% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 3 bedrooms (22.1%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (8%)
- Market concentration: 44.0% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors larger properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 647 properties in Rotorua reveals that 8+ guests properties dominate the market, representing 27.2% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.8 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 8+ guests and 2 guests make up 43.1% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 8+ guests (27.2% of market)
- Least common capacity: 1 guest (0.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.8 guests per property
- Market concentration: 43.1% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 647 properties in Rotorua, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (32.9% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (31.8% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (32.9%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (31.8%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 51.0%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 50.1%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
250 listings
41.7% of total
2 Nights
253 listings
42.2% of total
3 Nights
21 listings
3.5% of total
4-6 Nights
8 listings
1.3% of total
7-29 Nights
1 listings
0.2% of total
30+ Nights
66 listings
11% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 83.9%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 1.3% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (11%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 87.4% accepting 3 nights or less
Recommendations
- Set minimum stays between 2-3 nights to align with market standards
- Adjust minimum stays seasonally based on demand patterns
- Consider monthly stay discounts to capture the growing extended-stay market
- Implement different minimum stays for weekends vs. weekdays
Cancellation Policy Distribution
Super Strict 60 Days
2 listings
0.3% of total
Flexible
147 listings
24.9% of total
Moderate
217 listings
36.8% of total
Firm
158 listings
26.8% of total
Strict
66 listings
11.2% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 36.8% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 61.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 60 Days policies are least common at 0.3% of listings
Recommendations
- Consider starting with a Moderate policy to align with market preferences
- Strong market preference for Moderate policies suggests this should be your baseline
- Consider generous cancellation terms as a competitive advantage
Booking Lead Time Trends
Key Insights
- Peak booking lead times occur in Dec, Feb, Jan, averaging 71 days
- Shortest booking windows are in Jul, Sep, Aug, averaging 39 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 71 days, while Summer has the shortest at 41 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 71 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during Jul-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Rotorua
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Rotorua:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 44.5% of total guests, indicating a significant local market share.
- Primary international markets: United States (18.7%) and Australia (16.8%)
- English is the top language at 73%, followed by Chinese (9.1%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 5.8%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Auckland and Wellington markets
- Develop localized content for United States and Australia
- Prioritize English and Chinese language support
- Tailor experiences for Pre-1950s (Silent Gen) while maintaining broad age appeal
- Implement seasonal promotions aligned with key market travel patterns
Nearby Markets
Explore short-term rental performance in markets surrounding Rotorua. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tikitere | 15 | $3,220 | $241.95 | 50% |
| Te Kūiti | 10 | $3,174 | $135.78 | 59% |
| Lake Tarawera | 38 | $3,122 | $326.23 | 41% |
| Hamurana | 28 | $2,572 | $159.69 | 47% |
| Ngongotahā | 81 | $2,554 | $186.13 | 50% |
| Okere Falls | 28 | $2,399 | $237.50 | 43% |
| Taupō | 903 | $2,375 | $196.76 | 46% |
| Pios Beach | 17 | $2,354 | $236.19 | 45% |
| Kinloch | 80 | $2,241 | $256.93 | 41% |
| Waimārama | 46 | $2,149 | $355.11 | 26% |
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