The island nation in the South Pacific has outlined a new NZ$35 (£18) tax per person, to be collected through an ESTA-style visa system.

Ministers said the tax would be imposed on most international visitors - Australians will be exempt - to fund infrastructure and ease strains on the country’s tourism sector, Reuters reports.

The charge is expected to come into force in mid-2019, raising between NZ$57 million (£30 million) and NZ$80 million (£42 million) a year to fund conservation and infrastructure.

Southwell-based Silver Fern Holidays though has said the tax will be an “unwelcome burden” on UK visitors and operators, who already make significant contributions to the New Zealand economy.

The tailor-made specialist says due to the exceptional distance between the two nations, UK visitors often spend up to six weeks in the country, parting with considerable sums.

Managing director John Lightwood said: “International visitors already contribute billions of dollars to the country through 15% GST (VAT) on accommodation and other tourism services.

“In addition, operators who take groups to New Zealand’s national parks – which means all our small group escorted tours and walking groups – pay the Department of Conservation a significant licence fee.

“I’m particularly annoyed the proposal exempts Australians from the new tax, when that market makes shorter, more frequent visits and places most pressure on New Zealand’s tourism infrastructure.

“By contrast, every UK visitor flies 11,000 miles and tours New Zealand for at least three weeks, often five or six, making a significant contribution to the country’s economy already.”

New Zealand is the latest destination to propose such a tax after a number of cities, regions and some entire countries have taken such steps following dramatic increases in tourist numbers.

Cities levying a fee on accommodation include Barcelona, Rome, Berlin, Amsterdam and Vilnius, while island destinations such as the Balearics and popular regions such as Portugal’s Algarve have imposed fees, albeit varying wildly between different locations.