National’s bold tourism funding shift aims to redirect international visitor levy money directly to local councils, unlocking $385 million over four years—starting July 2027—to boost regional tourism projects. The plan splits funds three ways: $100 million annually for conservation, $50 million for a new national tourism priorities fund, and the remainder distributed to councils based on visitor numbers. This move replaces their earlier bed tax proposal—a decision some call a “U-turn”—to avoid burdening Kiwis traveling domestically. With a $105 million price tag for stabilizing conservation funding and trimming central tourism spending from $90M to $50M, the government is betting on smarter, targeted investment. Major hubs like Auckland and Queenstown will lead early beneficiaries—with Auckland getting over $19M in Year One—and National promises no levy hikes for three years, offering industry stability while reshaping how tourism dollars flow.
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