Paid parking to begin at three major DOC sites as trial programme rolls out

The Department of Conservation will introduce paid parking at Aoraki Mount Cook, Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Franz Josef as part of a pilot programme beginning in December. Parking will cost 5 dollars per hour with the first 20 minutes free. Local residents can access a reduced annual pass at 10 dollars per vehicle while regular visitors can purchase a 60 dollar annual pass.

The pilot, which runs until June 2026, aims to support the cost of maintaining visitor facilities at high use sites. DOC says the revenue will contribute to biodiversity and visitor network projects across the country. The programme is funded by the International Tourism Levy and is expected to generate 1.5 million dollars during the trial period against a setup cost of 3.8 million dollars.

Cameras will monitor vehicles and an external contractor will manage fee collection and enforcement. Rental companies will be able to charge breach fees directly through standard rental agreements. While some local businesses have raised concerns about deterring casual visitors tourism operators say the charge is unlikely to be a barrier for international travellers.

The programme comes at a time when DOC is managing significant budget constraints and increasing visitor pressure. It aligns with global practice where user pays systems support conservation infrastructure. Paid parking may extend to other sites following the pilot.

For the parks sector the trial reflects a broader shift toward sustainable funding models. As visitation increases expectations around service levels also grow and tools like parking fees can help maintain safety and quality in high demand areas.

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