Tourism operators sigh relief as levy stays at $5
Tourism operators say they are delighted that the Stewart Island/ Rakiura visitor levy will stay at $5.
In the past three months there had been huge debate in the south about the Southland District Council’s plan to raise the fee to $15.
The levy is New Zealand’s only regional tourist tax, and the council proposed that the amount of visitor levy/revenue collected would increase from $5 to $15.
Real Journeys general manager Paul Norris said the company supported the approach taken by the council to go about a strategic review of the levy and the company was ‘‘keen to be an active participant’’.
‘‘We believe it will be the best outcome for businesses on Stewart Island as well as the local community.’’
Stewart Island Apartments and Cars owner Fiona Caspari said most people on the island felt that it should stay the same.
‘‘I thought an increase to $15 might just be enough to put people off.’’
Her thoughts were echoed by Beaks and Feathers Guided Walks owner Angela Steffens, who said an increase from $5 to $15 might be enough to put families off visiting the island.
‘‘Fifteen [dollars] is a lot for day trippers and it costs a lot to get here anyway. I think it’s fair enough to wait and look at it because it would be good to know where that money goes.’’
Southland District councillors, at a meeting yesterday, voted to retain the levy at $5 until a strategic review of the council’s service delivery on the island can be completed and the appropriate amount for the levy can be determined.
During the past six years, $710,659 has been collected through the island levy.
Of that amount, the council has spent $507,331 on infrastructure and the rest has been spent by community groups on infrastructure, museum development, wi-fi, the environment and visitor information.
Councillors voted to have a staff member or contractor give advice, instead of a technical advisory group, to a subcommittee that makes decisions on funding applications.
It was also voted that the chair of the council’s Finance and Audit Committee, an independent person from Stewart Island/ Rakiura and an iwi representative join the subcommittee.
Councillor Brian Dillon believed the levy should be increased slightly now because there was work to be done on the island.
Southland District Mayor Gary Tong said he supported leaving the levy at $5 until the review could be carried out.
Council staff will present the draft Stewart Island Rakiura Visitor Levy policy and bylaw to council for adoption early in 2019.
The strategic review of service delivery on Stewart Island/Rakiura is likely to take about a year to complete.