Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is turning up the volume on his call for a bed tax — a small charge on visitors staying in the city — and he’s got solid public support behind him.

After asking Aucklanders for feedback on the council’s annual plan, more than 13,000 people responded. And when it came to the proposed visitor levy, 60% of individual submissions were in favour.

Mayor Brown says the message is loud and clear: Aucklanders want tourists to chip in for the services they use — especially as the city rebuilds and recovers economically.

“Despite the government’s sheepishness towards a bed night levy, a clear majority of Aucklanders want it,” he said.
“This isn’t about hurting hotel profits — it’s about sharing the load. That’s fair, and it’s common practice in world-class cities.”

The idea is simple: visitors would pay a small fee per night on accommodation, and that money would go directly toward funding events and destination marketing — the very things that attract them here in the first place.

Brown also pointed out that Auckland ratepayers shouldn’t have to foot the bill alone — especially those still feeling the pinch of the economic downturn.

“If the tourism industry wants more events, they should be prepared to help pay for them,” Brown said. “It’s time for everyone to do their part.”

The mayor said he hoped central government would listen to what Aucklanders are saying and support the move.

“We’re showing Wellington that Auckland is a powerhouse,” he said. “Now the government needs to do the obvious and easy thing — say yes to the bed tax.”

The final version of the mayor’s annual plan proposal is due out in the coming weeks, with a decision from Auckland Council expected at the end of May.