Tourists don't mind a couple of dollars

It is a view worth paying for.

That was the consensus of tourists the Weekend Herald spoke to at the summit of Mt Eden.

Holidaymakers disembarking from a constant stream of tour buses were unanimous in their praise of the views.

Even those who reached the summit under their own steam would have paid at least something to be transported there.

"It is just great," said Swiss tourist Anna Baecher, adding that if she had not had time to walk to the summit she would certainly have paid for a bus.

But how much?

"I think a couple of dollars is okay."

Ben, of London, who has paid for everything from toilets to tours on his world travels, would happily have paid to take a bus to the summit. "I wouldn't object to paying a fee to come up here."

John and Pete Irvine, of Christchurch, said the view for a first-time tourist was definitely worth paying for. "Probably a couple of bucks," said John.

Austrian tourist Klambauars Marios was reluctant to put a price on how much he would part with. "I think $10 would be too much."

Tourists' willingness to part with money to reach the summit was in harmony with Auckland residents' willingness to take it. "I have nothing, in principle, against charging both cars and buses," said one Titirangi man.

Glen Kane, also of Titirangi, said he had "no quibble" with commercial operators charging to take tours to the summit, but no one else. "The average citizen should be able to come up here without paying for the privilege."

Hadlee Smith, 18, of Mt Albert, said it didn't matter if tourists were charged. "Once they see this view they will want to live here." David Eames