New Zealand now charges visitors and tourists 'admission fee' of £19

In addition to the new International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, travellers from the UK to NZ also face more red tape from October

(Simon Calder)

New Zealand has started charging an “admission fee” of NZ$35 (£19) to overseas visitors.

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) came into effect on 1 July 2019.

The tax applies to most foreign visitors. Citizens of Australia and some small Pacific nations are exempt, as are transit passengers. Crews on ships and aircraft will also dodge the levy.

Tourism contributes one-10th of New Zealand’s GDP and employs over 230,000 people.

Kelvin Davies, the tourism minister, said: “Investment in supporting infrastructure and protection of our natural attractions is not keeping up with visitor growth.”

The levy is expected to generate NZ$80m (£43m) in the first full year.

The Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment says: “The IVL will be split between conservation and tourism, with three areas of focus: conservation, infrastructure and systems.”

But it has not yet decided where the money will be spent.

In addition, from October travellers who do not currently need a visa for New Zealand – including British visitors – will face an extra hurdle.

The government is bringing in the New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority, or NZeTA.

The online permit will cost $9 (£5) via an App or $12 (£6) on the website.

The New Zealand government says it will affect 1.5 million travellers every year.

The move is certain to spawn a number of “scam” sites that will charge large fees, as has happened with similar online permits for visiting the US, Canada and Turkey.

Visitors are warned: “You should make sure you are using the official website or mobile app. Do not request an NZeTA through any unauthorised third party.”

After Brexit, British visitors to the European Union will require a similar permit.