Media Release
Government says nothing decided on stadium funding
22 November 2006
The Government says there will be widespread consultation over any proposals to fund a stadium in Auckland through
travel taxes.
At a meeting with the Coalition Against Travel Taxes (CATT) yesterday evening, Hon Damien O’Connor, Minister of Tourism,
said: “There will certainly be widespread consultation”, after hearing from CATT representatives about the damage travel
taxes would do to New Zealand’s tourism industry.
“Mr O’Connor assured us that despite Rugby World Cup Minister, Hon Trevor Mallard’s comments reported in the media, no
firm proposals for such taxes are on the table. We are encouraged by his assurances that the Government has not made up
its mind on how the stadium will be funded,” CATT chair and Tourism Industry Association New Zealand (TIA) Chief
Executive Fiona Luhrs said.
CATT comprises New Zealand’s major tourism organisations which have formed a coalition to fight the proposed use of bed
taxes or additional international airport departure levies to help fund a Rugby World Cup 2011 stadium.
Every CATT member fully supports the Rugby World Cup 2011 and looks forward to it being a huge success.
But the Coalition opposes taxing travellers, many of who will not benefit from a new or redeveloped stadium. CATT says
if the stadium is a national asset, like Te Papa, it should be nationally funded.
Several tourism and travel organisations have joined CATT since it was launched on Friday 17 November. Discussions are
continuing with other interested groups who support its stance against Auckland travel taxes as being unfair, poorly
targeted and bad for Auckland’s economy.
Ends