Overview

• From 2027 overseas visitors will pay NZD20 to NZD40 per person to enter Cathedral Cove, Tongariro Alpine Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
• Conservation Minister Tama Potaka says the fees will generate up to NZD62 million each year for maintenance and expansion of heavily trafficked protected areas.
• New Zealand citizens will remain exempt from the entry charges, with the government emphasizing these reserves as shared national heritage.
• Tourism operators and local leaders warn that higher costs may deter budget travelers and reinforce New Zealand’s reputation as an exclusive luxury destination.
• Proposed amendments to conservation laws would ease commercial development in protected zones and permit culling of protected species for infrastructure, drawing criticism from environmental groups.