Mayors left disappointed by National ruling out bed tax
Auckland Council's economic agency has criticized the National Party's decision to rule out a 'bed tax' for tourism. Officials argue that the lack of a sustainable funding mechanism threatens the city's ability to host major events and maintain necessary infrastructure.
Why it matters
This reflects a broader tension between government fiscal policy and regional efforts to fund tourism-related infrastructure and economic development.
Auckland Council's economic agency Tātaki Auckland Unlimited questioned National's commitment to the tourism industry after being "dumbfounded" by National's announcement on Sunday ruling out a bed tax.
On Sunday the National Party ruled out the idea of a bed tax , promising that there will be "no new taxes" if it's re-elected.
It comes a fortnight after Prime Minister Christopher Luxon spoke publicly about the possibility of three new taxes under National - a bed tax, a bank tax and a fuel excise increase.
Director of destination Annie Dundas described National's move as a backwards step that put the city's major events and business pipeline at risk.
She said the industry had spent years working towards a sustainable funding solution, and the decision was at odds with the government's push to double the value of tourism exports by 2034 .
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