KVH fully supports yesterday’s announcement by the Government to finalise the Border Clearance Levy on passengers entering New Zealand from 1 January 2016.

• The levy comes into effect on 1 January 2016 and will be NZ$18.76 + GST for air travellers and those arriving and departing on private craft, and NZ$22.80 + GST for cruise passengers.
• Passenger volumes are forecast to increase to 13.3 million by 2018/19. This growth is expected to continue at around 3.5–4 percent per year.

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) carried out a thorough consultation process which the kiwifruit industry was actively engaged with.

KVH supports the levy as it will provide sustainable funding into the future and address New Zealand’s increasing biosecurity risks as more and more passengers enter New Zealand. As passenger numbers coming into New Zealand rise, so too does the risk of unwanted pests and diseases.

The levy creates a funding mechanism that can keep pace with the changing risk profile; and those that create risks at the border will fund the activities to mitigate them.

Click here for more information on the Government’s website.