Accessing the IVL

Funding and investment

IVL funding is allocated to both new projects and to baselines for Tourism New Zealand, the Department of Conservation (DOC), and Ngā Haerenga the New Zealand Cycle Trail.

Under s399A of the Immigration Act, IVL funding is hypothecated (set aside) to fund, or contribute to the funding of:

• conservation
• tourism infrastructure (including the costs of operating the infrastructure)
• other tourism initiatives.

For more information about current and previous IVL investments, please visit our dedicated page:

IVL investments

Decision-making and governance

IVL funding decisions are made by IVL Ministers (Ministers of Finance, Conservation, and Tourism and Hospitality) supported by the advice of their officials in the Treasury, Department of Conservation, and Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE).

At a high level, this process considers:

• government and strategic priorities for tourism and conservation
• expected benefits for visitors, communities and the environment
• alignment with the objectives and purpose of the IVL.

This model supports a deliberate and coordinated approach to managing the tourism and conservation systems.

Refreshing the IVL framework

MBIE is refreshing the investment framework for how the annual $35 million tourism allocation from the IVL is invested to manage tourism pressures and support sustainable tourism growth.

The framework will:

• provide a clearer and more consistent approach to IVL tourism investment decisions into the system
• support strategic investment, improve transparency and make it easier for organisations to understand how funding decisions are made and what is expected in project proposals.

Further information will be published as this work progresses.

The current approach: IVL objectives

The Government has set the following objectives for new IVL investment across both the Tourism and Conservation portfolios. Officials and Ministers consider alignment with these objectives when assessing new investment initiatives.

1. Increase visitor numbers to maximise the economic contribution tourism makes to New Zealand:
   • Prioritise recovery and growth of visitor numbers.
   • Reduce seasonal visitor variance in high variance regions by transforming New Zealand into a year round destination.
   • Identify high growth potential countries and grow the market share of visitors from those countries.
   • Increase infrastructure capacity to attract and support visitors.
2. Enhance the visitor experience, managing the impact on the conservation estate and retaining public consent to allow for continuous growth.
   • Preserve and enhance a world class conservation estate.
   • Enhance regional dispersal of visitors outside of the main tourist centres.
   • Retain and enhance the social contract.
3. Demonstrate robust value for money and alignment with overall Government priorities, including:
   • strong investment discipline
   • whole of life costings
   • cohesive decision making process.

IVL investment process

There is a regular process to decide and report on new IVL investments each year, as set out below.

1. Collect: Revenue is collected from international visitors by Immigration New Zealand throughout the year to help fund tourism and conservation investments.
2. Identify: Potential investment opportunities are identified through agency planning processes, stakeholder engagement, government priorities and emerging issues and opportunities.
3. Advise: MBIE and DOC officials provide advice to their respective Ministers on potential investment options.
4. Decide: Joint IVL Ministers approve an annual investment plan for the following financial year.
5. Invest: Funding is allocated and drawn down from 1 July of the next financial year.
6. Report: Revenue, expenditure and status of projects are reported publicly in an Annual Performance Report.

How IVL investment opportunities are identified

The IVL does not currently operate as an open, contestable fund and there is no formal application process.

Tourism stakeholders can engage with MBIE at any time to discuss potential IVL investment opportunities. Ideas may originate from the tourism sector, regional stakeholders, government agencies, Ministers, or from emerging tourism opportunities and challenges. These discussions can help shape future IVL investment proposals and priorities.

Conservation investment opportunities are identified by the Department of Conservation through its planning and prioritisation processes.

Potential investments are considered alongside Government priorities, statutory requirements and available funding.

How to get involved

MBIE officials provide advice to their Minister on potential investment initiatives, based on their engagement with the tourism sector throughout the year. Organisations interested in discussing IVL proposals or delivering an IVL-funded project can contact the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment:

Email MBIE on IVL investments or IVL-funded projects

DOC is a conservation delivery organisation and carries out most IVL-funded work themselves. DOC officials provide advice to their Minister on potential investment initiatives based on an internal prioritisation system that integrates engagement with the conservation sector. Organisations/interested parties cannot directly request IVL funding from DOC.