New Zealand Eyes Tourist Fees for Iconic Nature Sites

Government Proposes “Unleashing” Growth on Protected Lands

New Zealand is set to introduce fees for international visitors accessing its renowned natural landscapes, aiming to fund conservation efforts while easing business operations on protected land in a controversial policy shift.

Conservation Landshake-Up

Foreign tourists may soon face charges of NZ$20-40 (approximately $12-24) per person to visit popular destinations like Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook, with implementation anticipated from 2027.

Conservation Minister Tama Potaka stated these fees could generate NZ$62 million annually, providing vital investment for sites critical to the nation’s tourism industry.

The government’s plan extends to a broader reform of conservation laws, making it simpler to sell or exchange protected areas and reducing permit requirements for activities on conservation land.

“Unleashing” Economic Growth

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon announced the initiatives, declaring a commitment to “saying yes to more jobs, more growth and higher wages” by enabling a new wave of concessions across sectors like tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Conservation land, which constitutes a third of New Zealand’s territory and protects areas of significant biodiversity, historical, or cultural value, will see changes allowing for increased commercial use.

While some operations like ski fields and grazing are already permitted, Luxon noted that many businesses have faced hurdles in securing similar access.

Critics Raise Environmental Concerns

These proposals follow recent government actions, including legislation passed in 2024 to fast-track contentious mining and infrastructure projects, and a proposed law to permit the killing of protected wildlife for specific infrastructure developments. Conservation and climate initiatives have also experienced budget reductions.

Environmental advocates warn that the proposed changes could jeopardize New Zealand’s unique biodiversity, with many native species already facing decline and extinction threats. In 2023, over 4,000 native species were listed as threatened or at risk of extinction.

“That tells us everything we need to know about who he thinks he works for. It’s not regular people, future generations or a healthy environment.”

—Chlöe Swarbrick, Green party co-leader

Nicola Toki, chief executive of Forest & Bird, criticized the reforms as the “most significant weakening of conservation law in a generation,” asserting they would exacerbate pressure on vulnerable species and fundamentally alter the purpose of national parks.

“They shift the focus from protection to exploitation, dismantling the very purpose of our national parks and conservation lands,” Toki added.