# International Visitor Levy: What It Funds > The NZ$100 International Visitor Levy: who pays it, who is exempt and what it funds, with DOC's September 2026 examples. Source: https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-international-visitor-levy-what-it-funds-agents/ Entry Requirements 25 October 2026 · Explera Trade Desk · 3 min read ![Steep forested slopes above a narrow river valley](https://img.magnific.com/free-photo/river-flowing-through-mountains-covered-by-dense-vegetation_181624-48034.jpg?w=700) **Short answer:** Most international visitors pay New Zealand's International Visitor Levy (IVL) of NZ$100 when they request an NZeTA or apply for a visitor visa. It is not refundable. On 4 September 2026 the Government announced IVL funding for Whangamarino wetland and giant wētā breeding at Otorohanga Kiwi House. Explera DMC New Zealand helps agents explain it at quotation. This briefing is for travel agents and tour operators whose clients ask why they pay the levy and what it pays for. ## What is the International Visitor Levy? - **The amount.** Immigration New Zealand lists the IVL at NZ$100, checked on 25 October 2026. It rose from NZ$35 to NZ$100 on 1 October 2024. - **When it is paid.** It is paid when a traveller requests an NZeTA or applies for a visa that includes it, and it is paid each time. - **No refunds.** Immigration New Zealand does not refund the IVL, even if it declines the application. - **Its full name.** The levy is also called the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy. ![A passport and a boarding pass tucked into a travel bag](https://img.magnific.com/free-photo/closeup-passport-with-plane-ticket-luggage_53876-23104.jpg?w=700) *A passport and a boarding pass tucked into a travel bag* ## Who does not pay it? Immigration New Zealand lists these travellers among those who do not pay: - Holders of Australian or New Zealand passports. - Holders of passports from many Pacific Island nations. - Transit passengers arriving at and leaving from Auckland International Airport. - New Zealand resident visa holders and Australian resident visa holders. - Business Visitor Visa or APEC Business Travel Card holders. Whether a traveller pays depends on the passport, the reason for travel and the visa, so check each passenger. A mixed group can include people who pay and people who do not. ## What does the levy fund? On 4 September 2026 Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced two new IVL investments in the Waikato: - **Whangamarino wetland.** NZ$2 million over two years to start the Whangamarino Action Plan and restore the wetland, a Ramsar Site, or Wetland of International Importance, in north Waikato. - **Giant wētā.** NZ$75,000 for captive breeding of Māhoenui giant wētā at Otorohanga Kiwi House, run with Te Whare o Mōkau ki Runga (Ngāti Maniapoto). The programme has bred more than 300 wētā since 2021. We have also covered IVL-funded work in our [Tongariro River Trail briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-23-tongariro-river-trail-turangi-new-bridge-groups/), on the new bridge at Tūrangi, and in our [Tourism Policy Statement briefing](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-19-new-zealand-tourism-policy-statement-trade/). ![Clumps of grass growing in a shallow wetland under a cloudy sky](https://img.magnific.com/free-photo/shallow-pond-with-plants-growing-it-blue-cloudy-sky_181624-24768.jpg?w=700) *Clumps of grass growing in a shallow wetland under a cloudy sky* ## What should agents tell clients? - **It is part of entry.** The levy is paid with the NZeTA or visa, not on arrival and not to us. - **Check it early.** Confirm at quotation whether each passenger pays, and that it was paid with the application. - **Explain where it goes.** Clients who see a wetland, a kiwi house or a rebuilt track bridge are seeing the kind of work the levy funds. ## How Explera DMC New Zealand can help We plan [group tours](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/group-tours-new-zealand/) and [wildlife and nature experiences](https://www.explera.co.nz/services/wildlife-and-nature-experiences-new-zealand/) for travel agents and tour operators. See our [entry requirements guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-05-new-zealand-entry-requirements-nzeta-visas-agents/), our [Waitomo and Waikato day guide](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-07-waitomo-hobbiton-waikato-day-groups/) and our [Hamilton and Waikato](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/hamilton-waikato/) page. ## FAQ **How much is the International Visitor Levy?** Immigration New Zealand lists it at NZ$100, checked on 25 October 2026. **When is the levy paid?** When a traveller requests an NZeTA or applies for a visa that includes it. **Do Australians pay the levy?** No. Holders of Australian passports do not pay it. **Is the levy refundable?** No. Immigration New Zealand does not refund it, even if the application is declined. **What did the levy fund in September 2026?** NZ$2 million for Whangamarino wetland and NZ$75,000 for giant wētā breeding at Otorohanga Kiwi House. ## Sources - [Paying the International Visitor Levy](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/fees-processing-times-and-refunds/paying-the-international-visitor-levy/), Immigration New Zealand, checked 25 October 2026 - [Increase to visa charges comes into effect from 1 October](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/about-us/news-centre/increase-to-visa-charges-comes-into-effect-from-1-october/), Immigration New Zealand - [New funding for Whangamarino wetland, insect heavyweight](https://www.doc.govt.nz/news/media-releases/2026-media-releases/new-funding-for-whangamarino-wetland-insect-heavyweight/), Department of Conservation, 4 September 2026 ## Talk to the trade desk Explera DMC New Zealand trade desk — b2b@explera.co.nz, WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090, B2B portal [b2b.expleradmc.com](https://b2b.expleradmc.com). Destinations in this briefing [Auckland](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/auckland/)[Hamilton & the Waikato](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/hamilton-waikato/)[Waitomo Caves](https://www.explera.co.nz/destinations/waitomo/) ## Talk to the trade desk *Your New Zealand DMC partner* From a single FIT to series groups and full MICE programmes, every New Zealand proposal is costed by hand against your brief at net rates. Send your requirements as a new email with a descriptive subject line. [b2b@explera.co.nz](mailto:b2b@explera.co.nz) [WhatsApp +66 93 656 8090](https://wa.me/66936568090) ## More from the trade blog. *Keep reading* [All posts](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/) [Subscribe via RSS](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/rss.xml) - [Kākāpō Record Season: What to Tell Clients](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-kakapo-record-breeding-season-what-to-tell-clients/) - [King Shags in the Marlborough Sounds: Boat Trips for Groups](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-king-shags-marlborough-sounds-boat-trips-groups/) - [Kiwi, Penguins and Albatross: A Conservation Group Tour](https://www.explera.co.nz/blog/2026-10-25-kiwi-penguins-albatross-conservation-group-tour/)