NZ Triples Visitor Levy: What Groups Need to Know

New Zealand has nearly tripled its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL), lifting the fee from NZ$35 to NZ$100 per visitor as of 1 October 2024. The levy is collected at the point of visa or NZeTA application and applies to most international travellers — including those arriving on group itineraries.

For tour organisers, the change means a modest but unavoidable uplift in per-person landed costs. At Mercury Pacific we've already updated our 2025 and 2026 quotes so the levy is itemised transparently, with no surprises at the airport.

The good news is where the money goes. Funds raised by the IVL are reinvested directly into the conservation estate and visitor infrastructure that make New Zealand such a remarkable destination — Great Walks maintenance, biodiversity protection on offshore islands, predator control in our national parks, and upgrades to high-traffic sites like Tongariro Alpine Crossing and Milford Sound.

Tourism Minister Matt Doocey has framed the increase as a fairer contribution from international visitors towards the cost of the experiences they enjoy. With visitor numbers approaching pre-2019 levels, the additional revenue is expected to fund a meaningful programme of works through 2027.

Our advice to group organisers: factor the new NZ$100 IVL plus the NZ$23 NZeTA into your client communications early. For most multi-day itineraries this represents less than 2% of the total package — a small price for ensuring the landscapes your guests have travelled across the world to see remain pristine for the next group that follows.