Government Urged to Rule Out Bed Tax on Kiwi Travellers

Responding to reports that Auckland Council has secured a formal commitment to consider a bed tax, New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union spokesman Josh Van Veen said:

“The Government should categorically rule out slapping Kiwis with yet another tax during the worst cost-of-living crisis in recent memory. Families and businesses are already stretched to breaking point. The last thing they need is another tax grab.

“Make no mistake: a ‘bed tax’ won’t just hit tourists. It will land squarely on the shoulders of New Zealanders travelling domestically for work, family, or holidays.

“Previous research by Tourism Industry Aotearoa found that only 30 percent of international visitors stay in commercial accommodation, meaning the majority of this tax would be paid by Kiwis, not tourists.

“If councils are so desperate to attract concerts and sporting events, they should start by reprioritising their bloated spending rather than reaching into taxpayers’ pockets yet again.”