Stewart Island locals are concerned a proposed increase to its visitor levy could put tourists off making the trip.
It's the only region in the country with its own levy, but the Southland District Council says the $5 fee is not enough to maintain the island's infrastructure.
It’s a place known for its rugged scenery and breath-taking views, but keeping up access to Stewart Island's beauty doesn't come cheap.
Which is why five years ago the visitor levy was introduced to help pay for essential services, like wharf maintenance.
"The community own five wharves and are looking at purchasing a sixth, all of which needed work done on them," said Jon Spraggon, Stewart Island community board chair.
Now the levy is being reviewed for the first time and the council believes it’s not enough, which is why they’re looking at tripling the levy to $15.
“There are more and more of the infrastructure items like the wharves that need a lot of money spent. And those costs keep on going up every year,” said Southland District Councillor Julie Keast.
Ferry tickets cost around $85 and flights to the island are about $110 each way at the moment. Just over 40,000 people crossed the Foveaux Strait to visit the island last year, but locals are concerned fewer people will make the trip with a higher levy.
"It's been very controversial,” Mr Spraggon said. “The island has been very worried about it, the effects it might have."
Local tourism businesses say their main issue is that most of their visitors tend to be people travelling on a budget or in larger groups.
"We get the backpackers, we get the families, and people that love tramping,” said Aaron Joy, owner of Stewart Island Backpackers. “It's not a really justifiable increase."
Angela karaitaina, owner of Beaks and Feathers Guided Walks, said, "If you times that by people in a family of four to six people, that's enough to put them off coming here."
Many locals also feel the council's left islanders out of the conversation, and they’ve been raising questions around where the money is going and what it will be used for.
"They've plucked something out of the sky without really considering all the ins and outs of how this island runs,” Mr Joy said.
However the council says that's not the case, and say they urge all locals to give their feedback.
"There's no point in us as council pushing it through if we really don't have support of the locals,” Ms Keast said.
The proposed increase is currently out for public consultation until November 9.
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