Tourists will now have to pay a fee to enjoy the sights and sounds of Stewart Island.
Parliament last night passed a bill that allows for the $5 visitor levy to be charged to all tourists when they arrive on the island.
Southland MP Eric Roy says it's expected to bring in $160,000 a year.
He says the fee is needed because the island is small, the number of residents is even smaller and more funds are needed to help pay for maintenance and conservation.
"People go to Stewart Island for all sorts of reasons, there's trampers, fishers, bird watchers or people who just want to get away and enjoy the serenity in what is some very poor cellphone coverage.''
