A country beloved by Brits is planning to introduce fees at its biggest natural attractions. New Zealand is launching the scheme to fund conservation and boost employment.

Under the proposed scheme, foreign visitors will be required to pay between £8.87 and £17.73 to access some natural landmarks. Officials said tourist fees could generate up to £27.5 million to invest in natural sites. The first sites to introduce the new fees will be Te Whanganui-a-Hei (Cathedral Cove), Tongariro Crossing, Milford Sound and Aoraki Mount Cook. At these attractions, international tourists account for 80% of total visitors. “Tourists make a massive contribution to our economy, and no one wants that to change,” said conservation minister Tama Potaka. “But I have heard many times from friends visiting from overseas their shock that they can visit some of the most beautiful places in the world for free. It’s only fair that at these special locations, foreign visitors make an additional contribution.”

“For the conservation estate, that will mean up to $62m [£27.45m] per year in revenue, which will be directly reinvested into those same areas, so we can keep investing in the sites that underpin so much of our tourism sector.”

The initiative was announced by Prime Minister Christopher Luxon as part of a wider economic and conservation plan. He said: “It’s our collective inheritance and Kiwis shouldn’t have to pay to see it.

“If we’re serious about keeping Kiwis at home, creating jobs, and increasing wages for all New Zealanders, we can’t afford to keep saying no to every opportunity that comes our way.”

Officials confirmed that entry to the four sites will remain free for New Zealanders. The entry fees are expected to be introduced in 2027.

Regulations will also be loosened to allow more businesses to operate on conservation land without a permit. Critics say these changes could threaten the environment and biodiversity in these protected areas.

Green party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said Luxon is choosing profit over the protection of nature: “That tells us everything we need to know about who he thinks he works for. It’s not regular people, future generations or a healthy environment.”