11 August 2016

Greens launch plan to protect & preserve our taonga

The Green Party announced today it will introduce a new Taonga Levy, to be paid by all international visitors coming to New Zealand, with the proceeds going towards protecting our environment for generations to come.

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 visitor numbers,” said Green Party Co-leader James Shaw.

“The Government failed to back up its glitzy predator-free promise with the money to get the job done. The Taonga Levy will help make it actually happen.

“Annual visitor numbers are expected to reach 4.5 million in the next six years. This levy will enable tourism hotspots to cope with the strain on infrastructure and keep New Zealand’s environment beautiful.

“Small communities on the West Coast and Coromandel shouldn’t be expected to wear massive rate hikes to upgrade sewerage systems to cope with the influx of tourists.

“National has done the absolute bare minimum to help councils, promising just $3 million a year to help fund new tourism infrastructure. It’s a token gesture at best.

“The Green Party is committed to doing what’s right for small communities straining under the pressures of tourism, as well as protecting our environment and precious wildlife from predators.

“I think most visitors to New Zealand will understand that paying an extra $14-$18 is worth it to help protect our unique environment and native wildlife,” said Mr Shaw.

Notes

• National committed $28 million to Predator Free New Zealand in July 2016.

• The Green Party’s Taonga Levy will generate about $46 million a year for Predator Free NZ or $1.5 billion by 2050.

• National committed $12m over four years ($3 million per annum) to the Regional Tourism Fund in Budget 2016.

• The Taonga Levy will generate about $80 million over four years ($20 million per annum) for the Regional Tourism Fund.

• The Taonga Levy, once combined with the existing border clearance levies, will bringing total levies paid by international visitors to approximately $40. This is still lower than the NZ$58 boarder charge to enter Australia, or the NZ$127 that the UK charges visitors.

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