The Department of Conservation (DOC) has announced it will continue with paid parking at three sites in the South Island.
The decision follows a seven-month long paid parking pilot which tested the revenue raising scheme at three popular sites – Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki / Mt Cook.
The cost to roll out the paid car parking pilot over the 2025-2026 summer was $3.8 million, which was allocated from the International Visitor Levy.
As at 1 July, the three sites generated 161,163 transactions – a total of $1.74 million.
The most revenue was generated in White Horse Hill, Aoraki Mt Cook. The highest number of payment transactions was in White Horse Hill, Mt Cook, followed closely by Dolomite Point, Punakaiki.
The Department says revenue from the scheme will be re-invested in New Zealand’s most urgent biodiversity, cultural heritage and visitor network projects.
“This pilot has been very successful, with $1.5 million in gross revenue for the conservation estate, and general acceptance from visitors,” said Catherine Wilson, Director of Heritage and Visitors.
“Over the past few months, we conducted a customer survey, where we spoke to visitors actually using the carparks, as well as an online and email survey, and we have implemented many of the suggested changes,” said Catherine Wilson.
“We appreciate all the feedback people gave. We’ve had a robust engagement process with visitors and communities throughout the pilot. We’ve listened to their suggestions for improvement, and it’s helped make the carparking experience better.”
The changes include:
- Carpark charges will now be in half-hour rather than hourly increments;
- Improved signage and information clarifying that paying for a single day’s parking allows multiple entries and exits within that day and clearer guidance on how to top up payments;
- The $10 annual permit for locals will now apply to two vehicles rather than one;
- West Coast residents’ permits will cover both Punakaiki and Franz Josef (one permit covers both sites);
- The $10 local’s permit is a one-off charge – there will be no additional charge if the local permit is renewed;
- Post Office Box holders at Punakaiki will be able to apply for an exemption from carpark charges at Dolomite Point.
Concession holders who had a permit during the pilot will have them extended to 30 June 2027.
There is also a decision to reduce the free 20-minute period to 10 minutes in Punakaiki and Franz Josef to clarify that the free period is for drop-offs and pick-ups only.
“We’ve reduced the free period because people were rushing to complete the Pancake Rocks walk within 20 minutes and we want people to take the time they need to enjoy the experience,” said Ms Wilson.
“Our monitoring shows that the introduction of paid parking hasn’t impacted on the number of visitors to these sites or the use of the carparks.”
DOC is now looking at other sites where paid parking might work, with potential new sites to be announced before Christmas.
