Summary
Submissions are due by 5pm, Sunday 15 July 2018
The number of visitors to New Zealand has grown strongly over the past few years, and growth is expected to continue.
The Government is proposing an International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to ensure our international visitors contribute to the infrastructure they use and help protect the natural environment they enjoy.
Key parts of the proposal include:
- Most international visitors entering New Zealand for 12 months or less will be charged a levy of $25 to $35.
- There will be some exemptions, most notably Australian citizens and permanent residents and people from most Pacific Island Forum countries.
- The levy will be collected through visa fees and via the proposed Electronic Travel Authority process, also under consultation, for citizens of visa waiver countries.
- The levy will collect between $57-80 million annually (depending on the rate selected), which will be split between tourism infrastructure and conservation activity.
As the proposed levy will be required to go through a legislative process, it will likely be implemented in the second half of 2019.
Read the Minister's announcement.
How to Make a Submission
The Government is seeking your views on ways to fund tourism infrastructure and conservation, particularly through the proposed International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy.
To make a submission, please download the submission form and discussion document. Further instructions are page 2 of the discussion document.
Consultation on the proposal is open until 15 July 2018.
