New Zealand plans to begin charging international tourists to access some of its most iconic natural sites and ease restrictions on commercial use of conservation land, as part of a sweeping and controversial overhaul of its environmental policy.
Under the proposals, overseas visitors could be required to pay between NZ$20 and NZ$40 (approximately £9 to £19) per person to enter selected sites. The initial list is expected to include world-famous locations such as Cathedral Cove/Te Whanganui-a-Hei, the Tongariro Alpine Crossing, the Milford Track, and Aoraki/Mount Cook. The new fees are likely to be introduced from 2027.
Conservation Minister Tama Potaka said the charges could raise as much as NZ$62 million annually, which would be reinvested into maintaining the country’s natural heritage. “We need to keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector,” he said.
The announcement is part of a broader reform of New Zealand’s conservation laws, which also aims to simplify the process of selling, exchanging, or developing conservation land. The government says the changes will unlock economic growth by making it easier for businesses to operate on protected land without the need for permits.
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon described the reforms as part of a pro-growth agenda: “In the spirit of saying yes to more jobs, more growth and higher wages, we will unleash a fresh wave of concessions across tourism, agriculture, and infrastructure.”
Currently, conservation land is reserved for its environmental, historic, or cultural significance. While certain commercial activities such as skiing and livestock grazing are already permitted on some conservation land, many other businesses have long struggled to gain access.
What led to New Zealand’s new measures
The new measures follow a series of government decisions aimed at loosening regulations on the use of natural areas. In 2024, a law was passed allowing for the fast-tracking of controversial mining and infrastructure projects for approval. The government has also proposed legislation that would make it easier for companies to kill protected wildlife if deemed necessary for infrastructure development. Simultaneously, climate and conservation initiatives have suffered significant budget cuts.
Environmental groups and opposition parties have strongly criticised the changes, warning they could endanger fragile ecosystems and native species. New Zealand has one of the world’s highest rates of endemic biodiversity; however, a large number of its species are considered threatened or at risk of extinction.
Chlöe Swarbrick, co-leader of the Green Party, accused Luxon of prioritising commercial interests over environmental stewardship. “That tells us everything we need to know about who he thinks he works for. It’s not regular people, future generations or a healthy environment,” she told The Guardian.
Nicola Toki, chief executive of Forest & Bird, New Zealand’s largest conservation charity, described the reforms as “the most significant weakening of conservation law in a generation.”
“They shift the focus from protection to exploitation, dismantling the very purpose of our national parks and conservation lands,” she said.
The government maintains that the changes are necessary to modernise the country’s conservation framework and support economic development.
