The $5 levy comes into effect on October 1.
Most visitors arrive by ferry, aeroplane or cruise ship and the council has struck a deal with charter operators and Cruise New Zealand for the levy to be built into the the cost of passengers' tickets.
Policy analyst Tamara Dytor said Cruise New Zealand had agreed to the levy on behalf of cruise ship owners, even though some passengers might not leave the ship.
Sixteen small cruise ships were expected to moor at the island in the 2013-14 season, bringing with them an estimated 4500-5000 passengers , she said. Crew were exempt from the levy.
Between 35,000 and 37,000 visitors are expected to pay the levy in the first year, netting about $175,000. The money will go into a special fund for island projects to be administered by the Southland tourism body Venture Southland.
The council had spent about $17,000 creating signs and brochures, constructing a sturdy collection box for levies paid by the very small number of visitors who did not arrive by air, ferry or cruise ship, and making identity cards for those exempt from the levy, Ms Dytor said.
The levy would be launched on the island on October 1 with a celebratory breakfast, she said.
- allison.rudd@alliedpress.co.nz
Stewart Island/Rakiura visitor levy
- Payment of $5 for each visitor over the age of 18, including tradespeople and volunteers
- Comes into force on October 1
- Exemptions for children under 18; island residents and ratepayers and their immediate families; beneficiaries of the Rakiura Maori Trust; people visiting only the Rakiura National Park
- Photo ID cards available for non-resident ratepayers
