Source: Radio New Zealand
RNZ / Libby Kirkby-McLeod
Parking changes in Hamilton city have come with a hefty price tag for drivers, with infringements more than doubling.
The total value of tickets in the central business district was also nearly five times higher the year after the changes were introduced. But the council said Hamilton central is still cheaper than most other cities in the country.
In October 2024, Hamilton City Council reduced the previous two hours free parking on central city streets to one hour free parking and required all cars to be registered via a streetside kiosk or parking app to receive the free parking and pay for more if needed.
At the same time, the government increased penalties for people misusing mobility parking and also increased the parking infringement and towage fees (which are not set by local councils but by central government).
Data released to RNZ under the Official Information Act showed that the year after the city changed to zoned parking, 5434 drivers parking in the ‘green’ zone (closest to Garden Place and the heart of the city) were issued with fines valued at $316,414. This compares to less than half that number of infringements, 2528, in the 12 months before the change.
Those fines had a total value of $64,645 and were in a period before the government changes.
Zooming in on the city’s main road, Victoria Street, the cost of fines issued rose by nearly 400 percent.
In the 12 months before the changes were introduced, 876 parking tickets were handed out with a combined value of $22,643.
Those numbers soared in the 12 months after the changes when 1461 parking tickets were handed out with a combined value of $90,470.
Despite this substantial new cost for some drivers, the council’s head of transport, Gordon Naidoo, said parking in Hamilton’s central city was still inexpensive compared with other city centres in New Zealand.
“Hamilton’s first hour of free on street parking is uncommon among major cities, which positions our city as one of the more affordable places for short stay parking,” Naidoo said.
RNZ asked whether the large increase in fines represented the fact the public either did not understand the changes or didn’t find them workable.
However, Naidoo said the increases were an expected part of people adjusting to the changes.
“Some drivers fail to register their vehicle for the first hour of free parking, which results in an infringement. We believe the system is workable for the public, but like any parking system it requires ongoing monitoring and clear communication to ensure people understand what is expected of them,” Naidoo said.
What the system did not have was the support of the mayor.
Mayor Tim Macindoe campaigned to return the city to two hours free parking and told RNZ that continued to be his position.
“I continue to advocate for the return of two hours’ free parking to make the CBD more welcoming and accessible, which is better for retailers, businesses and Hamiltonians. Parking arrangements from 1 July 2026 will be considered as part of the 2026/27 Annual Plan, and I have asked the new CBD revitalisation sub‑committee to include this in their work.
“However, the final decision rests with the full council, and due process must be followed,” he said.
The data provided to RNZ shows that not all fines were collected as revenue for council.
“The ‘value of infringements’ figures represents the amount issued, not the amounts paid,” said the council.
This was because fines could be disputed, withdrawn, or referred to the courts.
In the 12 months since the parking changes, $2,235,906 of fines were issued in Hamilton central.
Just over 68 percent of that amount, $1,664,143.78 was actually collected by the council.
Generally, Naidoo felt the current set-up, while not perfect, helped encourage turnover in high demand areas while still providing longer stay options where appropriate.
“This supports retailers, hospitality, and visitors by reducing the time people spend searching for a park. A good parking system isn’t just about enforcing rules or issuing tickets. It’s a tool for shaping how people move, access, and experience a city. We want people to find a park when they need one and get on with their day,” Naidoo said.
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– Published by EveningReport.nz and AsiaPacificReport.nz, see: MIL OSI in partnership with Radio New Zealand
