2400 (2025). Cushla Tangaere-Manuel to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality

2400 (2025). Cushla Tangaere-Manuel to the Minister for Tourism and Hospitality: What feedback, by title and date, if any, has been received from business and tourism operators about any expected impact of digital nomads?

Hon Louise Upston: I have seen and heard an incredible amount of positive feedback about the digital nomad policy. Two examples include: The general manager of FCM Travel in New Zealand, Kelly Thomas, said there was an increasing demand for digital nomad schemes from employees who want to blend business with pleasure. Infometrics principal economist Brad Olsen has said, "I'm not sure if there's any real downsides to this policy in the short term" and that this might put New Zealand "on the map a bit more." I have also met with a range of tourism stakeholders and operators across the last two weeks who have shared their support and enthusiasm for the change.