New Zealand Plans to Implement Fees for Foreign Visitors to Access Top Attractions | New Zealand Travel News

New Zealand is introducing charges for international tourists accessing famous natural sites, including Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Crossing, Milford Track, and Aoraki Mount Cook, starting in 2027. The fees, ranging from NZ$20 to $40 per person, are intended to raise NZ$62m annually to invest in tourism infrastructure. This move is part of a broader effort to stimulate economic growth on ecologically and culturally protected areas. The government is also easing restrictions on business activities on conservation lands and streamlining the process for enterprises to operate in these areas. Conservationists warn these changes could harm the environment and threaten vulnerable species, while critics argue the reforms prioritize profit over environmental protection.

Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/aug/04/new-zealand-to-charge-foreign-tourists-to-visit-most-famous-sites