Rotorua Lakes Councillors have signed off on a new inner-city parking system, with virtual meters, additional payment options, a new parking app and new simplified zones to roll out from 1 July.
Council’s current contract for parking, which included the outsourcing of wardens, customer service and technology, has been in place since 2017.
In May last year, councillors resolved not to continue with the contract past its expiry of 30 June. Staff researched new parking delivery options, and it was decided that council would adopt a mixed-model option – leasing technology and bringing the people-based services back under council management.
Orikan was selected as the new provider and consultation to confirm the Parking Policy, Guidelines and Bylaw took place from December 2025 through to February 2026. The new system will also see the return of customer-facing services and parking roles to the Council.
“During consultation earlier this year we received 547 submissions with more than 85% supportive of improvements to inner-city parking. Our community was very clear, it was time for a change, and we’re confident we’ve delivered a solution that works for everyone who uses the inner city,” said Mayor, Tania Tapsell.
“A well-managed parking system is essential to supporting a successful city centre. We’ve worked hard to ensure the system is fair, affordable and reliable for residents, businesses and visitors.
“We’re excited to introduce new technology and a range of flexible options to meet the needs of people coming into the city for work, shopping or recreation. While free parking is not sustainable, affordability and simplicity have been priorities, as well as supporting the new system with excellent in-house customer service.
“I encourage everyone to stay informed over the coming weeks as we share more details, so you can be prepared and make the most of the changes ahead.”
What is changing:
- New machines, virtual meters and a new app.
- No maximum time limit in the city centre zones.
- Simplification of ‘zones’. Move anywhere within the zone you have paid for.
- Introduction of ‘permit’ areas designed for inner-city workers and long-stay parking.
- Adjustment to previously free parking areas – limited to outer edge of CBD.
- No more surcharges or extra transaction fees.
- Customer services, enforcement and infringement processing managed by RLC.
- New permit process for mobility card holders.
- Some time-limited (P15/P180) parks changed to standard parks.
- Parking services team based at Inner-city Community Safety Hub.
What’s not changing:
- First hour free in the centre of the city will remain – you’ll just need to enter your number plate in one of the new machines or the PayStay app to register your parking.
- Both coin and card machine payment options will be available.
- Free parking after 5pm, after 12pm on Saturday, all day Sunday and public holidays.
- On-street inner-city parking tariff will remain at $2/hr under 3 hours.
- Infringement prices – these are set by central government.
- Mobility parking – no change to current policy and no reduction in mobility spaces.
- No change to 10 minute discretion period to allow time to complete parking payment process, or do a quick pick up/drop off.
