Tourists will have to pay ‘Tourist Tax’ while visiting New Zealand

Tourists visiting New Zealand will now have to pay NZ$ 35 as a tourist tax. According to the New Zealand government website, “contribute to the infrastructure they use and help protect the natural environment they enjoy”. It is expected this law may come into operation by late 2019. 

Tourism in New Zealand has increased by 8 percent in 2018 as per New Zealand’s annual report. Simon Calder, the travel correspondent for The Independent, said, “Plenty of countries have departure taxes – Australia brought one in in the 1980s. And many impose visa fees. But I’ve not heard of a blatant admission fee for a major tourism destination such as New Zealand.” 

The tax will be used for development in infrastructure and amenities for tourists which can include, car parks, toilets and walking track maintenance, and conservation projects such as native planting, breeding programmes and predator eradication. Up to NZ$ 80 million, a year will increase for these projects.

Australian citizens, permanent residents, people from the Pacific Islands Forum countries and individuals on certain visas will be exempted from this tax. 

Source: The Independent