UPDATE: New Zealand is set to implement a tourist entry fee of up to $NZ40 ($A37) for its most iconic national parks, including the famed Milford Track and Mount Cook. This critical move comes as the government aims to boost economic growth in the tourism sector, which accounted for 7.5% of the country’s gross domestic product in 2024.
Prime Minister Chris Luxon unveiled a bold plan to reform the 1987 Conservation Act, establishing a new fee system for popular tourist destinations. “Unleashing economic growth on one third of New Zealand’s land will create jobs and increase wages across the country,” Luxon stated in a press release.
In 2024, New Zealand welcomed approximately three million tourists, reflecting a 13% increase from the previous year. To further manage the influx, the government previously raised the tourist entry fee to $NZ100 in October, aimed at offsetting the costs of public services and national heritage preservation.
Initial sites under consideration for the new fee include Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, and the Milford Track, where foreign travelers typically make up around 80% of visitors. Conservation Minister Tama Potaka emphasized the importance of this decision, stating, “Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change. But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free.”
While the government has yet to confirm the start date for the new fees, speculation indicates they could take effect as early as 2027. As New Zealand prepares for this significant shift in tourism policy, officials are urging locals and tourists alike to consider the long-term benefits this initiative may bring.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as New Zealand navigates the balance between tourism growth and environmental sustainability.
