NZeTA and IVL Levy: New Zealand Prioritizes Security and the Environment

New Zealand, renowned for its pristine natural heritage, is taking a proactive stance on preserving its environment as it grapples with record tourism growth. Since October 1, 2019, travelers from 60 countries—including France—planning stays of less than three months must obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (NZeTA) along with an eco-tax known as the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

The NZeTA aims to strengthen border security and streamline immigration processes. It allows unlimited entries for stays of up to 90 days and is valid for two years. The IVL, approximately €20, is earmarked for infrastructure and environmental conservation initiatives that benefit visitors and ecosystems alike. This levy must be paid alongside the NZeTA application and is also valid for two years.

Minister of Conservation Eugenie Sage seeks to harness tourism as a force for environmental protection and climate change mitigation. It’s a tall order, considering recent findings—such as those published in the 2018 Nature Climate Change study—that assert the global tourism sector accounts for 8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.