The Government is confident tourism won't suffer now that a new border security levy has been introduced.

People leaving the country will be expected to pay about $6 and arriving passengers will be charged around $16.

The bill enabling the levy was passed as parliament sat under urgency last night. Labour opposed the levy claiming it was a travel tax.

Some industry insiders are  worried the cost will continue to rise, leaving a dampening impact on travel. However, Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy believes the additional charge is unlikely to stop travellers coming to New Zealand.

"It is less than one percent of a long haul international air fare which is a very small component of people's overseas travel costs," he said.

Guy argues that if the levy is not put in place significant biosecurity events could stop some tourists visiting here.

Guy is promising the money will only go to MPI and Customs border clearance functions.

"The primary industries are the backbone of the New Zealand economy, and we must protect them from unwanted pests and diseases."

Border processing costs that could be subject to the levies:

- profiling and risk assessment activities required before travellers arrive at the border

- processing activities to verify compliance at the border

- post-border activities that are relevant to identifying and managing border processing risks