Conservation Minister Tama Potaka has announced a major $22 million funding boost aimed at protecting native wildlife and enhancing visitor experiences across New Zealand’s national parks and conservation areas.
Speaking at the Isaac Conservation and Wildlife Trust near Christchurch today, Minister Potaka outlined the investment, which will be drawn from the International Visitor Levy over the next three years.
The funding will support a range of conservation initiatives, including predator control, recovery of threatened species, and habitat restoration in popular visitor destinations.
The announcement reflects the government’s focus on protecting biodiversity while enhancing eco-tourism, which contributes an estimated $3.4 billion to the national economy annually.
“Conservation-related tourism is a huge part of why people come to New Zealand,” said Mr Potaka. “We’re making sure their contributions through the IVL go directly into restoring the natural places they come here to enjoy.”
Of the $22 million:
- $11.5 million will go towards recovery programmes for highly threatened species such as the fairy tern, one of the world’s rarest seabirds.
- $4.15 million is earmarked for expanding predator control efforts in key conservation areas.
- $7 million will be used to control feral goats, whose grazing habits damage forest undergrowth and hinder native plant regeneration.
A portion of the funding—$1.7 million—is dedicated to protecting critically endangered Canterbury species, including the black stilt and orange-fronted parakeet.
Fewer than 400 of these parakeets remain globally, and their survival is heavily threatened by invasive predators like rats and stoats.
“These birds are part of what makes New Zealand unique. They’re treasured taonga, and we want future generations to be able to hear and see them in the wild,” said Potaka.
The announcement comes as part of the government’s broader conservation strategy, which includes a $55 million annual investment under Budget 2025 funded by the newly increased $100 IVL fee for international visitors.
“Every cent raised through the levy is an investment—not just in conservation, but in the visitor experience and our economy,” Potaka added.
With nearly 75% of international visitors hiking or walking during their stay, and around half visiting national parks, the government hopes these measures will ensure New Zealand remains a world-leading destination for nature lovers.
