Luxon pledges no new taxes, dropping Auckland visitor levy from signed city deal

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has promised "no new taxes" if National is re-elected, abandoning Auckland's proposed visitor levy — a 2.5 percent charge on overnight stays. The reversal scraps a commitment in the coalition's signed Auckland city deal, coming two weeks after Luxon said the levy was possible. Auckland Minister Simon Watts told RNZ the deal's wording would be changed and alternatives explored.