The proposed tax, not applicable to Kiwis, would be split 70-30 toward the just-announced Predator Free New Zealand (PFNZ) effort and the Regional Mid-sized Tourism Facilities Fund. It would also raise about $80 million over four years for the regional tourism fund. jame_shsaw.jpgIts so-called "Taonga Levy" would increase current border charges for international visitors by between $14 to $18 to a total border levy of around $40. "National has done the absolute bare minimum to help councils, promising just $3 million a year to help fund new tourism infrastructure. The party noted the tax was still lower than the $NZ58 border charge to enter Australia, or the $NZ127 that the UK charged visitors.

Source: Otago Daily Times August 11, 2016 02:48 UTC