The Tourism Industry Association (TIA)'s local government policy submissions

Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill
July 2012
TIA has submitted to the Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill, calling for councils to continue to play a role in regional economic development, through investment in visitor services and infrastructure, events and festivals, and regional tourism promotion.

Wellington City Council Long Term Plan 2012-22
May 2012
TIA has submitted to the Wellington City Council on its long term plan, focussing on continued funding for destination marketing and visitor infrastructure.

Queenstown Lakes District Council Long Term Plan 2012-2022 
May 2012
TIA has submitted to the Queenstown Lakes District Council on their long term plan commenting mainly on the Council’s so-called ‘visitor cost’ that will impact tourism businesses and visitors in the region. 

Rotorua District Council Long Term Plan 2012-2022
May 2012
TIA has submitted to the Rotorua District Council on their long term plan,  principally in support of hotels and bed and breakfast establishments that may be potentially disadvantaged by the Council’s proposals. 

Auckland Council Long Term Plan - Getting Auckland Moving,  Alternative Funding for Transport Discussion Document
23 March 2012
TIA has lodged a submission to the Auckland Council on funding options for Auckland’s future transport needs.  This is a detailed paper outlining the Association’s opposition to the use of bed and airport taxes as a funding mechanism.  The paper draws from overseas evidence to show that bed and airport taxes are unfair, inequitable and inefficient as a revenue raising mechanism. 

New Zealand Hotel Council submission to Auckland Council Long Term Plan
New Zealand Hotel Council’s submission outlines its opposition to taxes that target one sector of the community, particularly visitors coming to a city to enjoy its attractions and activities.

Christchurch City Council Draft Central City Plan
16 September 2011
TIA and Christchurch & Canterbury Tourism made a joint submission on plans to rebuild central Christchurch. We called for greater emphasis on economic recovery, including giving priority to rebuilding commercial accommodation and the convention centre. We also want to see ‘zones of normality’ established in the central city as soon as possible to help alleviate visitor loss. 

Queenstown Lakes District Council Annual Plan 2011/2012
18 May 2011
Following feedback from members, TIA has made a submission to the QLDC opposing a plan to reduce gritting on roads in the Queenstown Lakes area on the basis that it will compromise the safety of visitors as well as the reputation of the region.

Rotorua Visitor Industry Representation Review
16 July 2010
TIA has provided a submission to the Rotorua District Council commenting on the review of visitor industry representation in the city. 

Local Government Act 2002 Amendment Bill
18 June 2010
TIA is concerned that current investment by local authorities in tourism services and infrastructure could be at risk if this Bill is passed.

OUTCOME: The Bill was passed but tourism will not be included in the definition of core services.

Dunedin City Council Annual Plan 2010/2011
April 12 2010
In support of members, TIA has lodged a submission with the Dunedin City Council on its Annual Plan for 2010/2011 and specifically a proposal to introduce a targeted tourism rate in the city. 

OUTCOME:  The Dunedin City Council scaled back plans for the introduction of a targeted tourism rate that was to apply to bed and breakfast establishments.

Westland District Council Draft Annual Plan 2010/11
February 18 2010
In support of @home NEW ZEALAND and its members in the Westland area,  TIA has made a submission commenting on a proposal by the Westland District Council to introduce a commercial rating system for home based businesses. 

Auckland Super City
February 15 2010
TIA has provided a submission to the parliamentary select committee considering the future governance and structure for the new Super City in Auckland.  The Association supports a standalone regional tourism organisation as the most effective way to promote and manage visitor activity in Auckland. 

OUTCOME: TIA was unsuccessful in persuading the Parliamentary Select Committee considering future governance arrangements for the Auckland Super City that Tourism Auckland should continue to be a stand-alone agency.

Grey District Council Submission
May 2009
TIA has provided a submission to the Grey District Council on the tourism targeted rating proposal for the area.

OUTCOME: Grey District Council has deferred any changes until 2010-11.

Buller District Council Submission
May 2009
TIA has provided a submission to the Buller District Council on the tourism targeted rating proposal for the area.

OUTCOMES: Buller District Council has gone ahead with a charge but is levying all commercial businesses not only tourism businesses.

Rotorua District Council Ten Year Plan
May 2009
In their draft Ten Year Plan, the Rotorua District Council has proposed a targeted tourism rate for the region.  TIA has provided a submission in support of  the Rotorua @home New Zealand bed and breakfast association. Please read the submission for further details.

OUTCOMES: Rotorua is going ahead with a charge but has made some changes to take account of bed & breakfast sector concerns.

Tasman District Council Ten Year Plan
April 2009
In their draft Ten Year Plan, the Tasman District Council has proposed a targeted tourism rate for the region.  TIA has provided a submission in support of both the regional tourism organisation, Nelson Tasman Tourism and the @home New Zealand bed and breakfast association.

OUTCOMES: As a result of TIA's efforts Tasman scaled back their proposal significantly, introducing a much lower levy equally across all businesses.

Guidelines for making a submission on your Long Term Council Community Plan (LTCCP)
April 2009
We know that you are very busy and that many of you may not have made submissions on the LTCCP before, but TIA believes this is a time that tourism's voice must be heard very loudly and clearly.

Advice for Long Term Council Community Plans for 2009
January 2009
As local governments all around New Zealand prepare their Long term Council Community Plans (LTCCP) for 2009, the financing of activities will again come under the spotlight.  This means the funding of Regional Tourism Organisations (RTO) and tourism promotion will come under review.  This informationhas been prepared by TIA to help RTOs and tourism operators make the case against specific taxes.

Rotorua District Council Rating Review
July 2008
Large and abrupt rates increases under the proposed Rotorua Rating Review will be a major disincentive for tourism businesses to invest in Rotorua. TIA’s submission recommends the RDC consider targeted rating of the business and tourism sectors, other funding mechanisms or in a worst case scenario, if the review must proceed, at least a staged implementation of the proposed rating change.

 Click here to access earlier Policy submissions from 2007 back to 2001.