How to Apply for ADS Approval

In order to be granted ADS approval you will need to meet the ‘fit and proper person’ test referred to in Section 18 of the Code of Conduct.

This test requires the tour operator and senior management to demonstrate that they meet the following requirements:

• Good character and reputation: including 1) a good history of compliance with the previous Inbound Tour Operator Council ADS regime, 2) a good history of compliance with other regulatory requirements associated with conducting tours for tourists, and 3) No convictions of any crimes of dishonesty or other crimes that have resulted in imprisonment.
  
• Experience and expertise: including, 1) operator has at least one year’s experience successfully conducting inbound tours to New Zealand, 2) a senior executive with at least one year’s experience successfully managing inbounds tours in New Zealand, and 3) at least one other executive employed by or contracted to the ITO who can demonstrate competent management of inbound tours in NZ for at least one year.
  
• Financial substance: including, 1) be registered under the Companies Act (If you are considering applying for ADS approval and you are not registered with Companies Office, please contact us), 2) have a tax number issued by the IRD, 3) have a registered office or have and maintain a physical place of business in New Zealand, and 4) have the financial resources sufficient to meet the requirements of the Code.

How do I apply for ADS approval?

To apply for ADS approval you need to provide the following:

• A completed application form (Schedule 9 - attached below).
  
• An application fee of $2812.50 (incl. GST).
  
• Financial statements (see section 14 on page 7 for details). These statements need to include a breakdown of non-commission and commission-based sales amounts and must be accompanied by a letter issued and signed by the company accountant.
  
• GST Statement of Account certificates issued by the Inland Revenue Department for the previous 6 months.
  
• Company brochure (if available).
  
• Company profile (if the parent company is based outside New Zealand we require a profile of the New Zealand-based branch), including the following information:
  1. Organisational structure
  2. Staff numbers
  3. Staff roles and responsibilities
  4. Target markets
  5. Products and Services
  6. Future plans for the business
  
• For all NZ-based staff and/or representatives, certified documentation confirming their NZ citizenship, NZ residence or work permit status.
  
• A Ministry of Justice "3rd Party" Criminal Convictions form (which can be downloaded www.justice.govt.nz/privacy/request-by-third-party.pdf). Sections 1 and 3 of this form need to be completed by both ADS Representatives nominated by the Operator.

Application Form for ADS Approval: Schedule 9

Applications should be forwarded to:

ADS Monitoring Unit
Tourism New Zealand
P.O. Box 95
Wellington

What happens if I am granted ADS approval?

Tourism New Zealand will advise you in writing by of the decision to approve your ADS application. TNZ will also send you a Deed of Undertaking form (Schedule 11B - see below) which you will need to complete and sign. By completing and signing this form, you are agreeing to comply with all of the terms and conditions included in the Code of Conduct.

Once you have returned the Deed of Undertaking to TNZ, we will issue you with your unique ADS Code and batch of ADS tour numbers, which you will need to use on all documents associated with ADS tours that you administer and conduct. We will also send you a register to record details of the ADS tours that you administer and conduct. You will need to send this register to the China Monitoring Unit every four months. The Unit will review this information to monitor compliance with the Code of Conduct.

Deed of Undertaking: Schedule 11B (to be completed on approval)

ADS Introduction Pack - January 2008.pdf