A rates cap won’t solve how New Zealand pays for its visitor economy – Andrew Wilson

Opinion byAndrew WilsonNZ Herald·15 Oct, 2026 03:38 AM5 mins to readAndrew Wilson is the chief executive of tourism organisation RotoruaNZ, and chair of the membership-based advocacy body Regional Tourism New Zealand. Christopher Luxon's Government has decided it will cap annual council rate increases at 4%. Photo / George HeardThe debate about rates capping raises a much bigger question for New Zealand.How do we sustainably pay for the infrastructure and services that support the places New Zealanders live in, and the places millions of people – most of them domestic travellers – want to visit? There is good