New Zealand

2024 - 9 - 4

New Zealand's Tourist Tax Goes Up, But a Taylor Swift Course? What’s Next?!

Environmental conservation - Māori culture - New Zealand tourism - Taylor Swift - Tourist tax - Visitor fees

Get ready to pay more to enter New Zealand, but hold on—now you can learn all about Taylor Swift too!

In a bold move that has tourists' wallets trembling, New Zealand has announced it will nearly triple its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy from NZ$35 to NZ$100, effective October 1. This hefty increase has raised eyebrows and sparked concerns within the tourism industry, as officials worry that the new fee could deter potential visitors and hamper the country's tourism recovery. While keeping the country eco-friendly is crucial, nobody expected entry fees to transform into a financial triple threat!

Amid the uproar, travelers from Australia can breathe a little easier, as they will be exempt from the new levy—perhaps the Kiwis are hoping to keep our trans-Tasman friends happy, even if it means charging fellow globetrotters more. Critics of the decision have pointed out that with travel already hit by the pandemic, raising barriers to entry might only make things tougher for New Zealand's tourism sector, which has been clawing its way back up from the depths of COVID-induced slumber.

On a lighter note, while we ponder how many more souvenirs we could buy with that extra NZ$65, New Zealand's creativity in education has taken a fantastic twist. AUT University's School of Communication Studies has just rolled out the first-ever university-level course dedicated solely to pop icon Taylor Swift! That’s right; if you’ve ever dreamed of dissecting Swift's lyrical genius while brushing up on your academic credentials, your moment has arrived.

In the midst of tricky taxes and Taylor Swift fandom, New Zealand's security services have also voiced concerns, highlighting the need to safeguard against foreign interference, particularly from nations like China. So while we juggle entry fees and Swiftie studies, it seems the Kiwis have their work cut out for them on multiple fronts—from tourism to intelligence!

Interestingly, despite these challenges, New Zealand remains a top travel destination, beloved for its breathtaking landscapes and rich Indigenous culture. And when it comes to pop culture, there’s no denying the impact Taylor Swift has had globally—her new course is proof that even countries with looming tourist taxes know how to embrace the lighthearted side of life!

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Image courtesy of "Travel Daily News Asia"

New Zealand to triple tourist levy, sparking industry concerns (Travel Daily News Asia)

New Zealand's increased tourist levy from NZ$35 to NZ$100 sparks industry concerns about its impact on tourism recovery and competitiveness.

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Image courtesy of "Skift"

New Zealand to Triple Entry Fees (Skift)

New Zealand announced on Tuesday it would nearly triple entry fees for tourists, a move some tourism officials fear could hurt its recovery.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

New Zealand tourist tax near triples for foreign visitors (BBC News)

The cost of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will near triple to NZ$100 (£47.20) from NZ$35 (£16.52) from 1 October. The government said ...

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Image courtesy of "The Guardian"

New Zealand to nearly triple tourist tax for international visitors (The Guardian)

Australian tourists will be exempt from the NZ$100 levy which critics say will deter travellers.

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Image courtesy of "Malay Mail"

Struggling with environmental impact, New Zealand nearly triples ... (Malay Mail)

WELLINGTON, Sept 4 — New Zealand will nearly triple entry fees for tourists, the government said yesterday, spurring criticism from the key tourism sector ...

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Image courtesy of "TTG Asia"

New Zealand to increase tourist levy to NZ$100 | TTG Asia (TTG Asia)

Travellers to New Zealand will soon have to pay nearly thrice the amount in entry fees from October 1, a move by the government that has sparked criticism ...

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Image courtesy of "Human Resources Online"

What you need to know about New Zealand's new visa changes ... (Human Resources Online)

Visitors to the country are encouraged to apply for their visitor visas early, given the high volumes of such applications expected in the coming months.

A New Zealand university has just launched a Taylor Swift course at ... (More FM)

Kiwis can now study all things Taylor Swift at uni level! AUT's School of Communication Studies has just launched Australasia's first Taylor Swift course, ...

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Image courtesy of "The Interpreter"

New Zealand's intelligence service warns of growing foreign ... (The Interpreter)

A new security assessment aims to widen the concept of strategic competition beyond the United States and China.

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Image courtesy of "The Borneo Post"

New Zealand spy report calls out China for interference (The Borneo Post)

WELLINGTON (Sept 4): New Zealand's spy service branded China a “complex intelligence concern” Tuesday and warned the Pacific nation was vulnerable to ...

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Image courtesy of "TTG Asia"

New Zealand to increase tourist levy to NZ$100 | TTG Asia (TTG Asia)

Travellers to New Zealand will soon have to pay nearly thrice the amount in entry fees from October 1, a move by the government that has sparked criticism ...

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Image courtesy of "Livemint"

Travelling to New Zealand to get more expensive: Fees now nearly ... (Livemint)

New Zealand plans to raise its International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy on October 1 to address tourism-related costs. ;

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Image courtesy of "Fruitnet"

Sassy Apples named finalist in New Zealand Food Awards (Fruitnet)

The team behind Sassy Apples is celebrating ahead of Asia Fruit Logistica, having been announced as one of four finalists in the Primary Sector Award ...

New Zealand sees tourism recovering (新华网)

WELLINGTON, Sept. 4 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's international tourism is continuing to recover from the impact of COVID-19 pandemic, according to the ...

New Zealand to triple tax for foreign tourists, from £16.52 to £47.20 (MercoPress)

New Zealand will triple its tax for foreign tourists, beginning October first. The cost of the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy will jump ...

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Image courtesy of "Globalnews.ca"

Planning a visit to New Zealand? Why you might have to pay more ... (Globalnews.ca)

Starting Oct. 1, just in time for spring and summer in the Southern Hemisphere, New Zealand will nearly triple a tax it levies on international visitors.

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Image courtesy of "Euronews"

New Zealand is tripling its visitor tax. Here's how it could impact ... (Euronews)

The flat rate fee must be paid by international visitors applying for an NZeTA (New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority) or tourist visa. Visitors from ...

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Image courtesy of "Travel Agent"

New Zealand to Triple Tourist Tax Starting October 1 (Travel Agent)

The tourism levy will be raised to NZ$100 from NZ$35 to ensure visitors contribute to public services and high-quality experiences. Read more here.

New Zealand Food Safety on track to meet campylobacteriosis ... (Ministry for Primary Industries)

New Zealand Food Safety is approaching its target to reduce rates of campylobacteriosis, the country's most common foodborne illness, a new report published ...

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

New Zealand's young leaving in record numbers as cost of living bites (Aljazeera.com)

New Zealanders are seeking opportunity overseas at unprecedented rates amid disillusionment over house prices and jobs.

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Image courtesy of "The Rakyat Post"

New Zealand Embraces Muslim Travelers With New Initiatives For ... (The Rakyat Post)

This collaboration aims to cater to the unique needs of Muslim visitors, ensuring halal-friendly options and culturally sensitive travel experiences in New ...

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Image courtesy of "The Borneo Post"

New Zealand's Maori anoint new queen (The Borneo Post)

NGARUAWAHIA, New Zealand (Sept 5): New Zealand's Maori chiefs anointed a 27-year-old queen as their new monarch Thursday, a surprise choice hailed as a ...

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Image courtesy of "The Straits Times"

New Zealand's Maori chiefs anoint new queen (The Straits Times)

Queen Nga Wai is the eighth Maori monarch and the second queen. Read more at straitstimes.com.

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Image courtesy of "Aljazeera.com"

Maori in New Zealand anoint a new queen (Aljazeera.com)

Nga Wai hono i te po Paki was chosen during ceremonies to honour her late father, who was buried on Thursday.

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Image courtesy of "BBC News"

New Zealand: Māori queen crowned as her father is buried (BBC News)

Ngā Wai hono i te pō is crowned the new Māori queen after the death of her father, King Tuheitia.

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Image courtesy of "The Star Online"

New Zealand's Maori chiefs anoint new queen (The Star Online)

NGARUAWAHIA, (New Zealand): New Zealand's Maori chiefs anointed a 27-year-old queen as their new monarch on Thursday (Sept 5), a surprise choice hailed as a ...

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Image courtesy of "BuzzFeed"

How New Zealand Eased My Solo Travel Anxiety (BuzzFeed)

Why New Zealand's Biggest City Changed My Thoughts On Travelling Alone · The atmosphere of your early twenties has your head moving in so many directions. · With ...

New Zealand to join Operation Olympic Defender (Beehive.govt.nz)

New Zealand has accepted an invitation to join US-led multi-national space initiative Operation Olympic Defender, Defence Minister Judith Collins announced ...

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