9 July 2026: New parking system, pensioner housing

Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: New inner city parking system

Enquiry

I’m seeking information regarding the first week of the new parking system in town

• Have RLC received any complaints regarding the new parking system since it’s rollout on July 1? If so, how many?
• How many infringements, cautions, notices or tickets were handed out during the first week?
• Was there any grace period offered to those who infringed the rules during the first week?
• How many parking permits have been sold since the new system came into effect, broken down by daily, fortnightly, monthly and three-month permits?
• What has occupancy been like in the new permit parking areas during the first week? Has demand met council's expectations?
• Have there been any technical issues with the PayStay app, virtual parking meters or licence plate recognition technology? If so, what were they and how were they resolved?
• How many customer enquiries or requests for assistance has the council received about the new system?
• Were any vehicles incorrectly ticketed during the first week? If so, how many infringement notices have been cancelled?
• Has the council received any further feedback from businesses about the changes since they came into effect? If so, what has been the overall nature of that feedback?
• Looking back on the first week, does the council believe the rollout will be successful?

Response

From Group Manager – Destination Development, Jean-Paul Gaston:

Council received one complaint about the new parking system during its first week of operation.

Re infringements, cautions, notices or tickets issued: There were 133 infringements and 30 warnings.

Re any grace period for infringements: Council and Orikan have focused their combined efforts into educating and assisting people in areas of significant change in the first instance (e.g. permit zones, and first free hour in centre of the city). This included placing additional support staff on the street. Infringements have been issued where reasonable and appropriate to do so.

Re number of parking permits issued:

ePermits: 202 1-day ePermits issued since 1 July 202; 90 2-week permits; 318 4-week permits; 544 3-month permits.

Corporate permits: 1 1-month permit; 1 2-month permits; 14 3-month permits.

Mobility permits: 885

Contractor: 1

Total permits granted: 2056.

Re occupancy in the new permit parking areas: Occupancy levels vary throughout the various permit areas and are currently meeting Council's expectations. In general, the areas are being well used with spaces still available.

Re any technical issues: We are not aware of any technical issues. The systems are all working as anticipated.

Re customer enquiries or requests for assistance: Council has responded to 193 phone enquiries and 123 emails relating to the new parking system. In-person enquiries were also received at Council reception and the Community Safety Hub, but these interactions are not formally recorded.

Re any vehicles incorrectly ticketed: 18 infringement notices were withdrawn, and were later found to have minor teething issues, such as not being printed correctly and 2 notices were voided. These issues were promptly resolved.

Re feedback from businesses: Council has received initial feedback both formally and informally from a small number of businesses. Feedback centred on views about the viability of the zones, questions/clarification about permits, and personal feedback from individuals that they have found the new meters very easy to use.

Re has the rollout been successful: Yes. The rollout is now complete, the various systems are working as anticipated, and the majority of customers are using the system correctly. As with any change, it will be some time before sustained trends are able to be confirmed which is why it is also important to give the system and our customers time to adapt.

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Media: Local Democracy Reporter

Topic: Potential pensioner housing redevelopment

Enquiry

Follow-up to questions earlier this week regarding pensioner housing and potential redevelopment of Lucas Place:

After putting together the bulk of the story I felt it was important to follow up on a couple of other queries for clarity and right of reply.

• A tenant has informed me that he has been verbally advised by council staff that the work is likely to start side if Christmas, does that timeline align with potential plans?
• The resident said he feared he might be "homeless by christmas", are those fears valid or do RLC have a tentative plan for what will happen to tenants when units are being redeveloped?
• Are there any further details on what type of redevelopment could be sought?

Response

We provided the following additional information:

Tenants who may be impacted have been informally advised that redevelopment of the site is being explored. We have sufficient vacant units available to accommodate any tenants who may be affected by future redevelopment activities. Nobody will be homeless, tenants will be taken care of, any redevelopment would be staged, and we would encourage tenants who do have concerns to contact Emerge Aotearoa. There are no confirmed timelines.