Government stepping up battle against those who wheel-clamp vehicles

August 22, 2018

“Predatory behaviour has made life a misery for many shoppers,” said Transport Minister Phil Twyford. (Source: Other)

The Government is stepping up its battle against the "cowboy clampers" with new laws targetting those who wheel-clamp vehicles.

Critics say those who park illegally aren't being punished and it's the businesses who will carry the cost.

Clamping fees of between $500 and $700 are on the way out.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford says, "For too long wheel-clamping has been a curse on so many of our communities."

The Government is regulating to stop exorbitant fees and bring rogue operators into line.

Minister for Commerce and Consumer Affairs Kris Faafoi says, "We're taking away some of the awful behaviour we've seen from the extremes of the industry".

A law change will see a maximum charge of $100 for having a wheel clamp removed.

Gordon Ward's Elite Parking Services company came under fire for its wheel clamping.

Mr Ward says, "MrTwyford's personal attacks on parking enforcement officers and name-calling tactics without reaching out to legitimate enforcement companies or the private property owners who contract them is disappointing."

Mr Ward said he was disappointed he wasn't involved in the consultation process and how the cap was set. The current standard cost of $200 was an agreed upon figure by both parking enforcement agencies and the former Minister of Transport.

Police will stop clampers charging more and there will be a range of infringement fees and fines for clampers caught breaking the rules.

Michael Barnett, CEO of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce says change is needed.

"Nobody minds us getting rid of the thugs and the cowboys.

"People can just drive in and take a carpark, it disadavantages the business, it takes someone else's carpark away and there's a cost to do something about it and that cost is more than a hundred dollars."

Mark Stockdale from the AA says, "Short of actually banning the practice which is what we’d like, we’d like them to regulate the wheel clampers in addition to regulating the penalties."

The law change is still more than a year away.

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