Luxon rules out bed tax with "no new taxes" pledge, scrapping signed Auckland city deal commitment

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon vowed "no new taxes" if National is re-elected, abandoning Auckland's proposed visitor levy — a 2.5 percent bed-night charge — two weeks after saying it was possible. The reversal discards a commitment in the coalition's signed Auckland city deal. Auckland Minister Simon Watts told RNZ the deal's wording would be changed and alternatives explored.