Ambushed at the border: Tourists' perspectives on visitor tax

A proposed visitor tax on incoming tourists to New Zealand would see them paying $50 a head to enter New Zealand.

The policy put forth by the Green Party would see the extra cash going to fund the Department of Conservation and infrastructure, which many believe is struggling to cope under the strain of our booming tourism industry.

The Green's proposal would add $20 to existing border charges - for international visitors only.

Last year New Zealand played host to 3.5 million international visitors, a 12 percent increase on 2015, and those who booked their flights after January 1 2016 were required to pay $18.21 to arrive in the country.

Legislation was passed in late 2015 implementing a border levy to cover the cost of our extensive customs procedures.

The proposed increase in costs for tourists entering New Zealand is still on the lower end of the international spectrum.

Australia charges visitors between $58 and $85 for a visit to their shores, while the United Kingdom's charge on long haul flights is a whopping $127.

Still, both destinations are easier on the wallet than a trip to Bhutan where visitors are required to spend a minimum of US$250 (NZ$342) a day for the privilege of visiting the small South Asian country.

In a Newshub-Reid Research poll, 64 percent of New Zealanders supported a $50 border charge for tourists.

So we went out to Auckland International airport to see if holidaymakers would be willing to cough up $50 for a return visit.

Watch the video.