International visitors will soon pay visitor fees to access four of New Zealand’s most iconic natural destinations, with the aim of supporting conservation and improving infrastructure at high-volume sites.
The visitor fees, ranging between $20 and $40 per person, will apply to:
- Cathedral Cove / Te Whanganui-a-Hei
- Tongariro Crossing
- Milford Sound / Piopiotahi
- Aoraki / Mount Cook
Entry will remain free for New Zealanders, and all revenue will be directly reinvested into preserving the natural environment, maintaining tracks and facilities, and supporting the Department of Conservation’s work in these areas.
Announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, the new policy is designed to ensure the long-term protection of these treasured places, while recognising the pressure international tourism can place on the landscape.
“Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy,” said Conservation Minister Tama Potaka, “but at these special locations, it’s only fair that foreign visitors also help contribute to their upkeep.”
The Government also announced plans to reform the DOC concessions system, aiming to simplify and modernise the way businesses and tourism operators work on conservation land. Luxon said the changes would support jobs, growth, and environmental stewardship across the country.
“Sites that are truly special to New Zealanders should be protected so we are giving DOC more support by introducing a charge for foreign visitors to access high volume sites,” Luxon said.
This new approach is designed to create a more sustainable future for New Zealand tourism, where those who visit can also help protect the natural wonders they come to see.