The Department of Conservation has implemented paid parking at various tourist hot spots nationwide including Auckland's Goat Island from December.
The Department of Conservation (DOC) said at Goat Island there would be a free parking period of 10 minutes to allow for drop-offs/pick-ups, and every 30 minutes after that would cost $2.50.
A $15 daily rate would be introduced during winter months, from May to September. There would be no cap during high season.
Other sites where paid parking would be introduced this summer include Tasman Glacier, Kepler Track (control gates), Kura Tāwhiti/Castle Hill, Blue Pools, Routeburn Divide, Deepwater Basin (Milford), and Devils Punchbowl.
For all locations except Deepwater Basin the fee would be $2.50 per half hour or $20 a day.
The Deepwater Basin charge had yet to be confirmed.
DOC's estimated combined revenue from all the sites is expected to be approximately $3 million over the next year from December 2026 to December 2027.
"Following a successful paid car parking pilot programme in the South Island earlier this year, DOC decided to extend the programme to several other popular sites as a way for visitors to contribute to nature experiences they enjoy," said DOC director of heritage and visitors David Butt.
"DOC is investing in this location to improve the visitor experience, for example maintaining the toilet block with a new roof, floor, added water tank capacity and a new filtration system, plus resurfacing the carparks. We will use paid parking to generate revenue to contribute to the long-term care of places like Goat Island as well as our work protecting native wildlife," he said.
Goat Island was the country's first marine reserve and remained one of the most popular sites in the North Island, with more than 300,000 annual visitors.
An annual permit for locals within designated boundaries would be $10, and would allow for unlimited access for the year.
Locals could apply online from December onwards for an annual permit through the paid car parking web page on the DOC website, which details the boundaries for each site. Two licence plates can be covered by each local permit.
School groups, DOC volunteer groups, community groups and DOC contractors could also apply online for exemptions.
Commercial tourism operators who hold a valid concession will be granted a parking fee exemption.
Payment machines will be installed at the sites. There are licence plate recognition cameras at the entrance and exit of the carpark. Non-payment of parking fees will incur breach notices of $75.
Last year DOC implemented paid parking in its carpark next to the new Punangairi Visitor Centre in Punakaiki, and at Franz Josef and Aoraki Mt Cook.
It caused a furore among the local residents and business owners, who said it was a "National Park entry fee; it contravenes the National Parks Act and it diminishes DOC’s social license to operate".
In the end DOC compromised and said it would charge $5 an hour at Punakaiki's Pancake Rocks carpark, but locals get 20 minutes free and West Coast residents can buy a $10 annual permit.
The morning's headlines in 90 seconds including how to prepare for a super El Niño, and how a couple got stuck at the top of a ferris wheel. (Source: 1News)
SHARE ME