Greens promise to empower councils to introduce bed tax on accommodation
The Green Party will allow local councils to set bed taxes on accommodation if elected, with a national short-term rental register to help councils apply the levy.
What happened
The Green Party announced at Queenstown today that it would give councils the power to introduce a bed tax on visitor accommodation if elected on 7 November. Co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said councils from Auckland to Queenstown wanted the tools to fund infrastructure strained by tourism. The Greens would allow councils to set their own rate and design the levy to fit local circumstances. The party also plans a national register for Airbnbs and short-term rentals to show councils where the bed tax can apply, and would allow councils to charge a higher rate on short-term accommodation. National leader Christopher Luxon previously backed the idea but scrapped it to align with his campaign promise of no new taxes, instead committing $400 million in revenue from the International Visitor Levy over four years. Five councilsâQueenstown-Lakes District, Mackenzie District, Rotorua Lakes, Central Otago District and West Coastâhave backed a bed tax, which requires a law change to enable. A non-binding referendum in Queenstown in 2019 showed 81% support for the levy.
Why it matters
The Green Party has campaigned through October 2026 with a series of major spending pledges, from transport and jobs to economic development. This bed tax announcement follows the 13 October unveiling of their $6 billion economic plan and continues their pitch to voters ahead of the November election.
Follow the whole thread: Green Party 2026 election campaign
Key facts
- Green Party election 7 November 2026
- Queenstown non-binding referendum 2019: 81% support for bed tax
- National Government offers $400 million from International Visitor Levy over four years
- Five councils support bed tax: Queenstown-Lakes, Mackenzie, Rotorua Lakes, Central Otago, West Coast
What happens next
New Zealand general election on 7 November 2026.
Covered byNZ HeraldNewstalk ZBOtago Daily TimesNot covered byRNZStuff1NewsNewsroomThe SpinoffBusinessDeskinterest.co.nz
Coverage across the news outlets we track, as at publication.
Where the outlets differ
The Otago Daily Times adds detail on the classification of residential visitor accommodation (under 90 days) and mentions Swarbrick's quotes about common sense and councils' disproportionate burden. The other outlets carry the same core announcements with identical quotes.
What outlets are saying
NZ Herald
Election 2026: Greens put bed tax at centre of tourism policy
Election 2026: Party wants local communities to introduce a bed tax if they want.
Newstalk ZB
Election 2026: Greens put bed tax at centre of tourism policy
The Green Party wants to empower local communities to introduce a bed tax if they want to.