National's tourism funding announcement falls short of what’s needed to cope with skyrocketing tourist numbers, and a bump in DOC funding for tourist facilities will do nothing to halt the loss of our threatened species, the Green Party said today. Tourism Minister Paula Bennett today announced a $15 million-a-year increase to tourism infrastructure funding, and $76 million over an unspecified period of time for the Department of Conservation (DOC) to develop tourist facilities. “Paula Bennett's tourism fund is mostly a...

The Green Party says it's irresponsible of Paula Bennett to dismiss a tourist levy to help pay for infrastructure and conservation, when small communities are staring down the barrel of an extra 1 million visitor over the next five years. Tourism Minister Paula Bennett said she does not support a tax on tourists over the weekend. “The whole country benefits from tourism, but it's ratepayers in areas like the Mackenzie Country, West Coast, and the Queenstown-Lakes District who foot the...

The Government’s decision to allow oil drilling in 35.5 percent of the North Island Maui’s dolphin sanctuary, as well as along the shores of picturesque Lake Te Anau and close to Fiordland National Park, creates major risks for New Zealand’s clean and green tourism brand, the Green Party said today. “There are only 63 Maui’s Dolphins alive and drilling for oil and gas in the area that’s supposed to be their sanctuary puts every one of them at risk,” said...

The Green Party is calling on the National Government to support its levy on international visitors, to help fund conservation and local tourism infrastructure. “John Key and the National Government are most welcome to take our idea and run with it," said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw. “The concept of a Taonga Levy has already proved pretty popular, receiving support from groups like the Environmental Defence Society, the Tourism Export Council, and Forest and Bird. “National has adopted several Green...

The Taonga Levy will be a $14 to $18 increase on existing border charges for international visitors only. People who live in New Zealand will not have to pay the Taonga Levy. The revenue will be split 70:30 between Predator Free New Zealand and the Regional Tourism Facilities Fund. “The Taonga Levy will bring in tens of millions of dollars every year to help make New Zealand's dream of being predator-free a reality, and help tourism hotspots cope with rising...