Wayne Brown wants the government to support the tax. Photo: RNZ / Marika Khabazi
Auckland's mayor is urging the government to approve his plan for a bed tax for visitors, after public feedback showed majority support for the proposal.
Consultation on Auckland Council's annual plan, which includes the proposal for a bed night visitor levy, received more than 13,000 pieces of feedback.
Council said 60 percent of individuals who responded on the issue supported the bed tax.
Mayor Wayne Brown was calling on central government to do what he called the obvious and easy thing.
"Despite the government's sheepishness towards a bed night levy, a clear majority of Aucklanders want it," Brown said.
"They want visitors to contribute to the funding of the activities and services they use. It shouldn't impact hoteliers' profit margins but rather add to their bottom line. I think that's fair, and common in many world-class destinations."
He said the industry also needed to do its part to support events if they wanted to host more of them in the city.
"Ratepayers climbing out of a recession should not be burdened with these costs," Brown said.
The bed tax would be used to help fund destination marketing and events, council said.
Brown said the government would be wise to listen to the public's feedback.
"Aucklanders are enjoying a better relationship with Wellington because I'm making sure they realise the powerhouse that we are," he said.
"I'm telling the government to be wise and do the obvious and easy thing here."
The mayor's final proposal for the annual plan is expected to be available in the coming weeks.
Auckland Council's budget committee and the governing body were expected to make final decisions at the end of May.
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