New Zealand’s tourism industry is booming, with the country hosting over 200 million visitors every year.

But some experts are warning that some tourists may have a bad reputation.

“It is the new norm for people to come here to spend money and not really understand the rules and regulations, and just to take the money and go on a trip,” New Zealand Tourism Agency chief executive Michelle Ritchie told the ABC.

“If you do go on an overseas trip, you will have a lot of the same problems as you would if you were in New South Wales.”

The agency’s survey of more than 6,000 travellers found that around a third of them had a negative experience, and a further 22 per cent said they would avoid the country entirely.

“They don’t understand the laws and regulations or what the rules are,” Ms Ritchie said.

“And so I think it’s important that people understand what the laws are and what the regulations are.”

Ms Ritchie warned against spending money overseas if you don’t have the right visa or a good reason to visit.

“Just because you’ve been here and you’re not here yet doesn’t mean that you don ‘know’ or have the legal right to visit,” she said.

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