Stewart Island/Rakiura is a destination for a large number of short-term visitors. To better provide for services, facilities, amenities for island visitors, or mitigate environmental effects, there is a visitor levy.

Why a visitor levy?

Stewart Island/Rakiura has a small resident population, but it is a destination for a large number of short-term visitors. Southland District Council (Stewart Island/Rakiura Visitor Levy) Empowering Act 2012 was passed into law on 26 March 2012, empowering Council to set and collect levies and obtain revenue from visitors to Stewart Island/Rakiura. Under the act, funds must be used to better provide services, facilities, amenities for island visitors, or mitigate environmental effects. 

Who pays?

All individuals travelling to Stewart Island/Rakiura, including freedom travellers, must pay the levy or pay revenue to an Approved Operator unless they are exempt under the following:

  • residents, ratepayers and tenants of Stewart Island/Rakiura and their spouses, civil union partners,
    de facto partners, or dependents;
  • beneficiaries of the Rakiura Māori Land Trust or individuals who have an ownership interest in a
    Māori land block on the island;
  • visitors who remain on the island for any continuous period of 21 days or more;
  • owners of a transport vessel or individuals employed under contract to work on a transport vessel;
  • individuals whose visit is entirely within the boundaries of the Rakiura National Park; or
  • persons under the age of 18 years on the date of arrival on the island.

 

Application for exemption

To receive a Southland District Council photo identification card download the application form below or, collect one from a Southland District Council office.

Application For a Photo Identification Card (Exemption from Stewart Island Rakiura Visitor Levy)

Send a completed application form to:

Southland District Council PO Box 903, Invercargill 9840 or email sdc@southlanddc.govt.nz with a colour passport photo of each applicant.

Applicants are also required to provide documentation which proves their exemption. Examples of accepted documentation to prove exemption status are set out in Appendix A in the attached policy.

Stewart Island Rakiura Visitor Levy Policy