Can I enter New Zealand on a one-way ticket?

Visitors entering New Zealand without a visa (as visa waiver visitors) must have valid onward travel arrangements when entering New Zealand (for instance a return ticket or official confirmation that a ticket is booked and paid for). 

The return ticket must be from New Zealand to a country they can enter.

Visa Waiver visitor visa

Having funds to purchase a ticket is not sufficient evidence of onward travel arrangements for visa waiver visitors. 

If you are applying for a visa prior to your travel and your visa is granted, you may enter New Zealand on a one way ticket provided that the visa clearly states "Return/onward ticket not required".

Citizens and permanent residents of Australia may enter on a one-way ticket, provided they are travelling on a valid  Australian passport or have a valid Australian Resident Return visa endorsed in their foreign passport. We advise Australian permanent residents carry a printed copy of their visa endorsement (VEVO) when travelling to New Zealand.

New Zealand citizens and residents are able to travel to New Zealand on one-way tickets. Many work and student visas also include the condition "Return and/or onward ticket not required".

Since 1 October 2019, if you are travelling to New Zealand as a visa waiver visitor you will need to hold an NZeTA before travelling.

NZeTA