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Stewart Island Promotions spokeswoman Lesley Gray said the tourist tax idea had been first mooted 30 years ago and was an ongoing suggestion.

The island had only a small population and there was a big cost on the ratepayers to cover everything, Mrs Gray said.

"There's a high cost to live in paradise," she said.

The tax would enable a fund to be set up, and that fund could pay for projects as they came up, such as improving the wharves at Paterson Inlet, track work, rubbish bins and public toilets.

"It would be a lot easier for people living here." The tax idea had been raised again when it was announced Stewart Island was to become a national park.

It was part of the 1996 tourism strategy, but was still far away from becoming reality.

However, several visitors had told Mrs Gray they would gladly pay to support the islanders and to preserve the island so they could come back and enjoy it.

The idea would continue to be looked at, "until it is proved we shouldn't," she said.

The tax could be inclusive in transport costs of getting to the island.

Also, some people believed the levy could be voluntary.

However, Ms Coughlan said it was no way to encourage tourism growth in the regions.

"While it is understandable that local communities may see taxing tourists as a way of funding infrastructure development, or of helping with community upkeep, evidence suggests that tourists tend to stay clear of places that levy extra charges on them," she said.

"Most tourists feel that they have already paid enough to get to New Zealand, and they also contribute by way of GST on the goods and services they buy, and the many activities they undertake when they are here." Taxing tourists was not a good way of retaining their goodwill, she said.

"New Zealand must continue to be a tourist friendly country."