New Zealand tourism levy to help kākāpō recovery, other projects

Wednesday, 14 August 2019

A new international visitor levy will pay for tourism and conservation projects.

Kākāpō recovery, tourism recruitment, and efforts to reduce wildlife smuggling are among projects sharing the first grants from the international visitor levy.

Ten tourism and conservation ventures will initially receive $18 million, with a total investment of $42m over the next five years.

In making the announcement at the Tourism Export Council conference in Christchurch, Tourism Minister Kelvin Davis said the $35 a head levy introduced at the end of July meant overseas visitors contributed to the natural environment they came here to enjoy and the infrastructure they used.

Ecozip guide James McNally is an ambassador for the Go with Tourism programme that matches employers with prospective employers. The industry estimates it need another 40,000 workers by 2025 to address forecast labour shortages.

He said it was all about funding the right projects and 'getting some quick runs on the board' to show visitors where the money was being spent.

A six-month trial to improve visitor safety in the Tongariro National Park will receive $600,000 from the visitor levy.

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Three new habitat sites for endangered Kākāpō will be established with $1.5m from the new international visitor levy. Ten chosen projects will receive $42m over the next five years

The largest grant of $5.2m over three years is for an intitiative to promote careers in tourism and expand an online programme matching employers with young people interested in tourism jobs.

Trialled successfully in Auckland, it will be rolled out nationally.

Tourism Industry Aotearoa chief executive Chris Roberts said it was estimated a further 40,000 workers would be needed by 2025 and the funding would help overcome some of the negative perceptions about the sector.

Jewelled geckos have been targeted by smugglers in the past. The visitor levy will boost efforts to reduce the risk of wildlife smuggling and prevent trade in endangered species.

'There's a perception that it's the job you have before you get a real job. Yes there are some low paid jobs, but there are also some very highly paid jobs in tourism.'

Future management of tourism hot spots has also come in for attention with the Milford Opportunities Project getting $3m and Westland tourism initiatives have scored $3.9m for destination management planning.

Northland's Ruapekapeka Pa will get $1.2m to make it into a visitor hub connecting other Land Wars sites in the region, and $300,000 will go into plans for improving the visitor experience at Arthur's Pass.

Conservation Minister Eugenie Sage said the levy would help protect and enhance the environment and natural biodiversity.

'Everyone benefits from this kind of investment in Aotearoa.'

Work to save critically endangered kākāpō, recently hit by a fatal fungal disease, will receive $1.5m to cover long term management and establish three new habitat sites by the end of 2021.

Chalky Island was one possibility under consideration, and the money would assist with early detection and treatment of diseases such as the aspergillosis breakout which has killed seven birds.

Eradicating cats, pigs and mice on the Maukahuka Auckland Islands and testing of predator control methods in the Mackenzie Basin and Aoraki National Park will also benefit from the levy.

Concern about ill-equipped tourists coming to grief on the Tongariro Crossing has sparked funding to look at ways to address visitor safety, and an additonal $1.7m will be dedicated to preventing wildlife smuggling and trade in endangered species.

The levy, paid by most international visitors excluding Australians, is expected to raise $450 million over five years.

A panel to advise on a long term investment plan for levy proceeds will be released shortly, made up of representatives from tourism, conservation, central and local government, and Māori.

Tourism Export Council chief executive Judy Chen said members were pleased with the projects chosen and said if use of the levy was well communicated, the extra cost would hopefully not deter visitors from coming here.

'People are keen to hear where and how the money is being invested and that transparency wil be important to explain why they are being asked to pay this additional $35.'