Taupō MP and Tourism and Hospitality Minister Louise Upston says the newly announced 'Everyone must go' campaign encouraging Australians to pick New Zealand for their next holiday is gearing the industry for growth in 2025.
The Government has now addressed opposition concerns by announcing a $30 million investment from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy to boost both tourism infrastructure and conservation efforts.
This announcement follows earlier push back reported by media outlets as the Greens and Labour questioned why the fund wasn't being used for infrastructure improvements.
The funding includes $11 million to upgrade huts, car parks, and facilities at Aoraki Mt Cook, Rangitoto, and Motutapu Islands, improve 116 swing bridges, and enhance access to Goat Island. A further $19 million will be directed towards biodiversity protection, including tackling wilding pines, controlling pests, and safeguarding endangered species.
Australians don't get charged the IVL, which was originally conceived as a means to fund tourism infrastructure.
"Every visitor to New Zealand, from the moment they land, they start paying GST," says Upston. "So they are helping to fund important things that are important for New Zealanders, whether it's contributing tax revenue that supports our hospitals, that supports our education system, that supports our ability to fund the things that New Zealanders want and need."
Figures quoted by Upston accompanying the release on the campaign state that the number of Australian arrivals in New Zealand increased by more than 90,000, from 1.27 million to 1.36 million, over the past year.
The release also said figures indicate around 4 million Australians are already actively considering a holiday in New Zealand.
