Mayor Urges Govt To Approve Bed Night Visitor Levy Following Public Support
The public consultation for Auckland Council's Annual Plan 2025/2026 shows most Aucklanders want Government to enact legislative change to enable a bed night visitor levy.
The consultation summary shows a clear majority of individuals, organisations, and Māori entities support a bed night visitor levy. Many of those who supported the proposal indicated a desire for public event funding, for visitor contribution to infrastructure, and for reducing local resident costs, and the view that it's common overseas.
The public feedback is consistent with the findings of a poll commissioned by the mayor's office in August last year which found that 64% of Aucklanders support a bed night levy of 2.5%.
The poll was conducted by Curia Market Research between 25-29 August 2024 and has a sample size of 2,000 Aucklanders. The results are weighted to reflect the regional population in terms of gender, age, and ward.
'Despite the Government's sheepishness towards a bed night levy, a clear majority of Aucklanders want it. They want visitors to contribute to the funding of the activities and services they use. It shouldn't impact hoteliers' profit margins but rather add to their bottom line. I think that's fair, and common in many world-class destinations.'
'Equally if the industry wants more events here, they need to do their bit to support these events happening. Ratepayers climbing out of a recession should not be burdened with these costs,' says Mayor Brown.
He says Government would be wise to listen to the feedback.
'Aucklanders are enjoying a better relationship with Wellington because I'm making sure they realise the powerhouse that we are.
I'm telling the government to be wise and do the obvious and easy thing here.'
Submissions also showed a majority support from individuals, organisations, and Māori entities for the overall direction of the council's annual plan.
'This tells me that we're on track with delivering what we said we would in the LTP. We are investing in every area we said we would while keeping rates as low as possible. In fact, the lowest for any metropolitan city in NZ.'
Mayor Brown says the annual plan is a small but crucial step in moving Auckland in a progressive direction.
"My vision is for Auckland to lead New Zealand on a path to prosperity. That means lifting productivity and real incomes so that every New Zealander - not just Aucklanders - can enjoy a higher standard of living.
"As the powerhouse of our national economy, and our gateway to the world, Auckland is New Zealand's biggest asset. But the council is just one player and that's why it is important for all Aucklanders to participate in this conversation," Mayor Brown says.
I'm pleased to see we had the second largest number of submissions for an Annual Plan, we have high engagement and that's good.'
The final Mayor's Proposal for the Annual Plan 2025/2026 will be available in the coming weeks. The council's Budget Committee and Governing Body will then make final decisions at the end of May.
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