To: Hon Tama Potaka, Minister of Conservation
Date: 10 June 2024

The International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL) is invested in projects that will help to create productive, sustainable, and inclusive tourism growth that supports and protects our environment and enriches Aotearoa New Zealanders’ lives. The IVL fund is split evenly across tourism and conservation projects to ensure investment that will help to create productive, sustainable, and inclusive tourism growth while protecting and supporting our environment.1  

On behalf of the New Zealand Conservation Authority (the Authority), I wish to advise you on the Authority’s recommendation for the expenditure of the conservation portion of the IVL and the proposed increase, as detailed below.  

Recreational infrastructure and projects  

The Authority would like to see 50% of the Conservation portion of the IVL funding to be dedicated to recreational infrastructure projects.  

DOC has a significant asset base and visitor network and DOC plays a significant role in Aotearoa New Zealand’s recreational offering. It is crucial that the infrastructure on PCL provides meaningful opportunities for New Zealanders to embrace nature, equitable access for Aotearoa New Zealanders and high quality experiences for domestic and international visitors. 

As it is becoming harder for the Department to provide recreation and tourism services2 within the funding they have available, part of the funding from the IVL should be dedicated to recreational infrastructure and projects on PCL. 

Jobs for Nature  

The Authority would like to see the other 50% of the Conservation portion of the IVL funding dedicated to Jobs for Nature.  

Aotearoa New Zealand’s natural environment is a key reason many international visitors travel to Aotearoa, and many of the natural environment locations that attract visitors are located on public conservation land (PCL). Jobs for Nature projects, though initially designed to be temporary and ending on 30 June 2024, have resulted in great outcomes for nature on PCL, as well as partnerships with iwi, hapū and community groups. The Authority believe that there should be continued investment into Jobs for Nature projects, and that the IVL is an appropriate funding stream for this.  

It is widely acknowledged that DOC is unable to ‘do it all’ within its current fiscal position, so the outsourcing of conservation projects to the Jobs for Nature goes a long way to supporting critical conservation work. Jobs for Nature projects have contributed to predator control, restoring wetlands, regenerative planting, and improving tracks, huts, and other recreational assets on public conservation land. For the benefit of Aotearoa’s tourism industry, it is critical that we maintain our internationally renowned PCL, and Jobs for Nature is a proven avenue to support the Department of Conservation (DOC) in doing this. 

IVL increase 

Finally, the Authority supports the proposal to raise the IVL from $35 to $70. However, considering there is no up-to-date modelling for the impacts of the cumulative increase in costs for international visitors, the Authority also recommends that further research is undertaken to understand the impacts of increased border charges on international travellers’ consideration to visit New Zealand.