Government changes to parking fines

As you will have heard, Whanganui’s parking fines are increasing from 1 October 2024 because the amounts set by central government are being changed for parking fines across the country.

This is the first time since 2004 that parking fines have been reviewed by the government.

From 1 October, as required by central government, most parking fines in Whanganui will increase by around 70 percent overall. Here’s some examples of specific changes that will occur:

• the fine for not paying for parking in a pay-by-plate area will change from the current $40 to $70
• the fine for staying on a carpark when the meter has run out of time will change from the current $12 to $20 but could go up to $97 depending how long the vehicle has been parked there
• the fine for unauthorised parking in a mobility parking space will increase from the current $150 to $750.

Towing fees have also been increased to accurately reflect the costs to towing companies.

How to avoid parking fines

Make sure you activate the parking meter and keep an eye on the time.

Under the new pay-by-plate system we have two ‘zones’. You can pay for parking anywhere in a pay-by-plate zone up to a certain time, instead of paying each time you move to a new carpark within that same zone.

For example, if you pay for parking in zone 1 and decide to move parks, any credit you have follows you within zone 1.  If you pay for parking in zone 1 and move to zone 2, your credit does not follow you so you need to pay for parking again. The pay-by-plate meters take coins or credit card (tap and go). You can find more information on pay-by-plate parking, including zones here

If you have a mobile phone, you can download the Parkmate app to use to pay for parking – that way, you don’t need to go back to the meter to extend your parking time. You can find out more about the Parkmate app here

Fines for unauthorised parking in a mobility parking space have increased significantly. To use a mobility parking space, you need a mobility card clearly displayed on the dashboard of your vehicle – you can find out more

You can find more information on parking in Whanganui here

What happens if you don’t pay

By law parking fines have to be paid within 28 days. If the fine isn’t paid in that time, it’s referred to the Ministry of Justice and then Whanganui District Court where a Notice of Fine is issued with a court cost added to the original amount. The amount has to be paid to the court, not the council, from when the Notice of Fine is issued.