Airbnb Market Analytics, Statistics and Data in Kaikōura, Canterbury, New Zealand
Last updated: 2025-01-31
Looking to make more money with hosting or rental arbitraging Airbnbs, short-term rentals, vacation rentals in Kaikōura? 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 Kaikōura:
How much do Airbnb hosts make on average per month in Kaikōura?
The short-term rental market in Kaikōura 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 $1,943 per month
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) make $3,281 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) achieve $5,016+ monthly
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) typically earn around $987
Revenue Variations by Month
Occupancy Rates Throughout the Year in Kaikōura
The market in Kaikōura 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 42% occupancy rates
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) achieve 63% or higher
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) reach 79%+occupancy
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) average around 19%
Occupancy Variations by Month
Average Daily Rates Seasonal Trends in Kaikōura
Daily rates in Kaikōura 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 $146 per night
- Strong performing properties (top 25%) secure $213 or more
- Best-in-class properties (top 10%) pull in $299+ per night
- Entry-level properties (bottom 25%) earn around $99
Daily Rate Variations by Month
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Seasonality patterns in Kaikōura
Peak Season (February, March, January)
- Revenue peaks at $3479.24 per month
- Occupancy rates reach 61.19%
- Daily rates average $194.35
Shoulder Season
- Revenue averages $2454.54 per month
- Occupancy maintains 42.51%
- Daily rates hold at $175.95
Low Season (July, September, August)
- Revenue drops to $1466.90 per month
- Occupancy decreases to 29.69%
- Daily rates adjust to $166.42
Is it still profitable to do Airbnb in Kaikōura in 2025?
Yes! Kaikōura demonstrates highly seasonal trends requiring strategic adaptation, featuring a growing occupancy rate of 43% and solid monthly revenue averaging $2455 and With 275 active listings, the market shows established demand while maintaining room for growth. 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 Kaikōura
| Area | Why Choose This Area | Key Attractions |
|---|---|---|
| Kaikōura Town | The heart of Kaikōura, offering easy access to local shops, restaurants, and the beautiful waterfront. Perfect for tourists wanting a central location to explore. | Kaikōura Peninsula Walkway, Whale watching tours, Kaikōura Museum, Seafood BBQ, Kaikōura Scenic Railway |
| South Bay | A picturesque area known for its beautiful beaches and stunning views of the mountains. Popular with families and beachgoers looking for relaxation and adventures. | South Bay Beach, Dolphin swimming tours, Kaikōura Waterfall Walk, Surfing opportunities, Local cafes and seafood shops |
| Mangamaunu | Famed for its surf breaks and scenic landscapes, attracting surf enthusiasts and nature lovers. | Mangamaunu Beach, Surfing spots, Whale watching opportunities, Scenic coastal drives, Local fishing spots |
| Culverden | A peaceful area surrounded by rural landscapes, ideal for those looking to enjoy tranquility and nature. | Culverden Springs, Local wineries, Outdoor hiking trails, Countryside charm, Farm experiences |
| Fyffe House | Historical site and a great spot for those interested in local history and architecture. A must-visit for culture enthusiasts. | Fyffe House, Old whaling station, Kaikōura History Trail, Historic buildings, Guided heritage tours |
| Point Kean | Known for its scenic coastal views and wildlife experiences, particularly the seal colony. Great for nature lovers and photographers. | Point Kean Seal Colony, Coastal walking trails, Marine Reserve, Scenic viewpoints, Wildlife tours |
| Lobster Pot | A charming fishing area that’s perfect for culinary experiences. Attracts food lovers and those looking to enjoy fresh seafood. | Lobster Pot Restaurant, Fishing charters, Local seafood markets, Lovely coastlines, Beautiful sunsets |
| Kekerengu | A tranquil location north of Kaikōura, great for visitors looking to escape the crowds with stunning ocean views and local wildlife. | Kekerengu Beach, Scenic picnic spots, Coastal walks, Relaxing atmosphere, Wildlife watching opportunities |
Do you need a license for Airbnb in Kaikōura?
We recommend checking directly with Kaikōura'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 Kaikōura
On the Edge
Entire Place • 3 bedrooms
Manakau Lodge; Kaikoura luxury & tranquility
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Mangamaunu Retreat
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Seaward Pottery on the Beach
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
The Beachfront Escape
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Beach Front | Games Room | Central Location
Entire Place • 4 bedrooms
Top Performing Professional Hosts in Kaikōura
| Host Name | Properties | Grossing Revenue | Stay Reviews | Avg Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaikoura Holiday Homes | 28 | $833,108 | 1040 | 4.79/5.0 |
| Emily And Hayden | 7 | $335,281 | 806 | 4.74/5.0 |
| Florence | 12 | $264,390 | 84 | 3.20/5.0 |
| Jennifer | 7 | $210,692 | 704 | 4.90/5.0 |
| Poppy | 7 | $201,230 | 1334 | 4.75/5.0 |
| Ginnaya | 16 | $189,887 | 328 | 4.24/5.0 |
| Penny And Seth | 3 | $178,189 | 480 | 5.00/5.0 |
| Georgia | 3 | $166,892 | 67 | 4.99/5.0 |
| Emily | 11 | $163,239 | 653 | 3.37/5.0 |
| Tim | 3 | $138,224 | 404 | 4.93/5.0 |
Additional analytics on vacation rental, real estate, short term rental data in Kaikōura
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 (77.5%), with house and boutique & hotels properties comprising 65.8% of inventory
- Strong specialty sector (30.5%) combining boutique hotels, unique stays, and outdoor accommodations indicates market maturity and premium opportunities
- Untapped potential in others, unique stays segments (4.8% combined)
Room Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 275 properties in Kaikōura shows that 1 bedroom properties are most prevalent, making up 39.6% of the market. The market tends to favor smaller properties, with 1 bedroom and 2 bedrooms together representing 61.8% of all listings.
Key Insights
- Most common: 1 bedroom (39.6%)
- Least common: 5+ bedrooms (5.8%)
- Market concentration: 61.8% in top 2 sizes
- Market skew: Favors smaller properties
Guest Capacity Distribution
Analysis of 275 properties in Kaikōura reveals that 2 guests properties dominate the market, representing 31.3% of all listings. The average property accommodates 4.1 guests, with a clear trend towards larger guest capacities. Properties accommodating 2 guests and 4 guests make up 47.6% of the market.
Key Insights
- Most common capacity: 2 guests (31.3% of market)
- Least common capacity: 7 guests (3.3% of market)
- Average guest capacity: 4.1 guests per property
- Market concentration: 47.6% in top 2 capacity sizes
- Market segmentation: Predominantly larger guest capacities
Booking and Availability Patterns
Available Days Distribution
Booked Days Distribution
Among 275 properties in Kaikōura, the most common availability pattern is 91-180 days (32.7% of properties). For actual bookings, properties most frequently secure bookings for 181-270 days (34.5% of properties).
Key Insights
- Most common availability window: 91-180 days (32.7%)
- Most common booking duration: 181-270 days (34.5%)
- Properties with high availability (180+ days): 61.8%
- Properties with long-term bookings (180+ days): 40.4%
Minimum Stay Distributions
1 Night
183 listings
75.6% of total
2 Nights
39 listings
16.1% of total
3 Nights
3 listings
1.2% of total
4-6 Nights
1 listings
0.4% of total
30+ Nights
16 listings
6.6% of total
Key Insights
- Short stays (1-2 nights) dominate the market at 91.7%
- Mid-length stays (4-6 nights) represent 0.4% of listings
- Monthly+ stays (6.6%) suggest a stable extended-stay market
- High market flexibility with 92.9% 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 30 Days
3 listings
1.2% of total
Flexible
70 listings
28.2% of total
Moderate
98 listings
39.5% of total
Firm
48 listings
19.4% of total
Strict
29 listings
11.7% of total
Key Insights
- Moderate is the preferred policy at 39.5% of listings
- Guest-friendly policies (Flexible & Moderate) dominate at 67.7% of the market
- Strong market consensus around Moderate policies
- Super Strict 30 Days policies are least common at 1.2% 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, Jan, Nov, averaging 85 days
- Shortest booking windows are in May, Jul, Aug, averaging 42 days
- Winter shows the longest average booking window at 81 days, while Summer has the shortest at 42 days
Recommendations
- Implement dynamic pricing strategies for Winter bookings at least 81 days in advance
- Consider early bird discounts during Summer to encourage longer lead times
- Focus on last-minute booking promotions during May-Aug when lead times are shortest
Popular Airbnb Amenities in Kaikōura
Below is the distribution of amenities across listings in Kaikōura:
Traveler Demographics
Key Insights
- Domestic travelers make up 38.8% of total guests, indicating a moderate local market presence.
- Primary international markets: United Kingdom (16.3%) and United States (16.1%)
- English is the top language at 67.7%, followed by Chinese (9.7%)
- Notable demographic segment in <=1950s (Pre-1950s (Silent Gen)) at 8.0%
Recommendations
- Target marketing campaigns for Christchurch and Auckland markets
- Develop localized content for United Kingdom and United States
- 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 Kaikōura. These nearby markets offer diverse opportunities for property investors and hosts:
| Market | Properties | Monthly Revenue | Daily Rate | Occupancy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prebbleton | 13 | $2,947 | $170.17 | 50% |
| Hanmer Springs | 277 | $2,330 | $253.79 | 35% |
| Waipara | 10 | $2,186 | $252.97 | 37% |
| Renwick | 25 | $2,038 | $176.78 | 51% |
| Picton | 104 | $1,913 | $166.29 | 47% |
| Saint Arnaud | 18 | $1,858 | $137.67 | 45% |
| Mārahau | 54 | $1,657 | $206.48 | 43% |
| Lyford | 12 | $1,635 | $166.75 | 33% |
| Kaiteriteri | 93 | $1,616 | $264.26 | 36% |
| Christchurch | 1,863 | $1,613 | $109.18 | 53% |
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