New Zealand's tourism tax will nearly triple in October
Entering New Zealand is about to get more expensive. Starting next month, the country is set to nearly triple its tourism tax amid surging tourism, the government announced Tuesday.
Beginning Oct. 1, tourists entering New Zealand from most countries, including the U.S., will have to pay a hiked International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy of 100 New Zealand dollars (about $62). That’s up from the current fee of NZ$35 (about $22).
The move has been somewhat expected for years; back in early 2022, TPG reported that New Zealand’s tourism and hospitality minister had hinted at potential tourism tax hikes right as travelers began returning to the country in the wake of the relaxation of stringent COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions.
Related: How I used 75,000 Chase points to fly business class to New Zealand
Surging tourism in New Zealand
New Zealand introduced its tourism tax about five years ago as a way to offset the mounting pressure on infrastructure and natural resources posed by a surging number of tourists visiting the country from all over the world.
After a pandemic hiatus, travel to New Zealand has continued to spike in recent years.
In 2024, the total number of seats on commercial flights between the U.S. and New Zealand is up 7% since 2019, according to data from aviation analytics firm Cirium. Seats are up a whopping 61% versus a decade ago, in 2014.
That increase in seats has been sparked by new and more frequent flights to the country. In addition to more routes to Auckland, additional options to other parts of the country are now available, including to Christchurch on New Zealand's South Island via United Airlines.
Related: Which major destinations charge a tourist tax (or are planning to soon)?
Why is New Zealand raising its tourism tax?
Raising the tourism tax to NZ$100 is meant “to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences while visiting New Zealand,” the country’s minister for tourism and hospitality and minister for conservation said in a statement announcing the news Tuesday.
“The Government is serious about enabling the tourism sector to grow,” Matt Doocey, the country's tourism and hospitality minister, said Tuesday. “But international tourism also comes with costs to local communities, including additional pressure on regional infrastructure and higher upkeep and maintenance costs.”
Not everyone is in favor of the hiked tourism tax, though.
An independent trade group for the country's tourism sector said it was “very disappointed” in a statement Tuesday.
The fee “is a barrier making New Zealand incredibly expensive to visit,” said Rebecca Ingram, chief executive at Tourism Industry Aotearoa.
How to pay New Zealand's IVL
Travelers visiting New Zealand are asked to pay the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy when applying for a visa or requesting a New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority as part of standard preentry procedures.
Citizens and permanent residents of New Zealand and Australia are exempt, as are connecting passengers at Auckland Airport (AKL) headed to a final destination in other countries and residents of numerous other Pacific island nations.
Bottom line
New Zealand is far from the only country to add or hike tourism taxes or make similar charges in recent years. Long-planned fees for day visitors on certain high-demand weekends were implemented in Venice, Italy, in 2024. And in Ecuador, visitors to Galapagos National Park recently saw entry fees double.
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- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
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- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
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- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.