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.

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