Auckland CBD's business association is asking the government to collaborate on a plan to revive the city's economy.

On Morning Report, Prime Minister Christopher Luxon shut down Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown's renewed calls to charge visitors a bed-night levy.

"We just don't think a bed tax is the right way forward at this time and we're not looking at it this term."

The levy would fund destination marketing and events to attract people to the city.

Heart of the City chief executive Viv Beck said central city businesses suffering after Covid-19 and from ongoing construction due to the delayed City Rail Link needed a lifeline.

"If the government doesn't want to do [a bed levy] what we need is a discussion about what the alternatives are.

"If the prime minister had said, 'Look, we are not supporting a bed tax, but we are keen to talk to groups in Auckland concerned about the economic turnaround there,' that would be helpful so we could actually end up with a plan of attack.

"We need a solution, and we're not going to get one if it keeps staying at a public stalemate."

Beck said the government returning the GST it charged on rates would also help Auckland's economy.