Starting October 1, 2024, New Zealand will significantly increase its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, nearly tripling from NZ$35 to NZ$100. While the government aims to use this increase to support infrastructure and environmental conservation, it has sparked concerns within the tourism industry about its potential impact on visitor numbers.

Tourism Minister Matt Doocey assures travellers that the new levy remains competitive with similar destinations like Australia and the UK. However, with this price hike, along with an increase in visa fees for certain visitors, New Zealand could become more expensive to visit.

Despite these changes, New Zealand remains a breathtaking destination filled with natural beauty and unique cultural experiences. We went through applications for our Visa for New Zealand for our upcoming hosted group trip in November, and it was a pretty simple process. If you are not coming along with us but are going to New Zealand, please don’t hesitate to reach out, and I can share how it all works.