Reviews of the IVL
The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is regularly reviewed to assess its effectiveness, funding settings and contribution to tourism and conservation outcomes. This page provides information on those reviews and any resulting changes to the IVL.
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2024 review of the IVL
Consultation
In 2024, the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) (on behalf of the Government) publicly consulted on two proposed changes to the operation of the IVL.
These were:
- the amount of the IVL paid by each eligible visitor, and
- where funding generated through the IVL should be spent.
MBIE received a total of 1,101 submissions on the proposed changes to the IVL.
Key findings from the IVL consultation were:
- 88% of submitters agreed that current levels of IVL revenue (approximately $80 million) were not sufficient to address issues facing tourism and conservation. The main reasons given related to both conservation and tourism infrastructure needing more funding.
- 84% of submitters agreed that the IVL could be used to address some of the costs for tourism and conservation currently funded by the Crown. However, submitters noted this should be in addition to Crown funding and not as a replacement.
- 93% of submitters preferred that the IVL amount should be increased, with the main rationale being an increase would be reasonable to help cover the costs of tourism and would put New Zealand in line with other countries’ charges.
- 7% of submitters preferred that the IVL amount remain at the current status quo of $35, with the main reasons being the potential risk to visitor numbers and that alternative funding tools should be explored instead.
- 66% of submitters supported an increase by $65 to $100, while 19% supported an increase by $35 to $70 and only 15% supported an increase by $15 to $50.
- 85% of submitters strongly agreed or agreed that the IVL should be used to address visitor pressure on mixed-use tourism infrastructure and wider tourism assets and 93% felt it should address visitor pressure on the public conservation estate.
- 54% of submitters strongly disagreed or disagreed with the IVL being used to contribute to the funding mix for international tourism marketing costs (investment into Tourism New Zealand).
Changes to the IVL
The IVL was increased on 1 October 2024 from $35 to $100 per person.
This reflected the option most supported by submitters and increased the overall contribution international visitors make towards tourism and conservation costs.