Citizen of any nationality can apply for an NZeTA if arriving New Zealand by a cruise ship. However, if traveller is arriving by air, then the traveller must be from a Visa Waiver or Visa Free country, then only will NZeTA (New Zealand eTA) be valid for the passenger arriving into the country.
The following countries are visa waiver countries:
A country whose citizens do not have to apply for a visa before travelling New Zealand as a transit passenger.
Transit passengers must remain in the transit area of Auckland International Airport. If you wish to leave the airport, you must apply for a Visitor Visa before travelling to New Zealand.
The following countries are eligible transit visa waiver countries: