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Alert

Inner city parking changes are now live.

New street meters, virtual meters and the PayStay app. If you’re working in town – get a permit. Click here to find out what’s changed before you park. 🚗

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Parking in Rotorua

There are plenty of parking options across Rotorua’s inner city.

Use this page to find:

  • paid parking zones
  • free parking areas
  • permit parking areas
  • mobility parking areas
  • motorhome, motorcycle and contractor parking
  • how to pay or appeal a parking fine.

Parking zones

View the map key showing the different parking zones.

Use this button to open the map controls. You can also pinch and zoom on your phone.

View a larger version of the map on your desktop computer. On mobile devices, this will open the Google Maps app.

Zone 1 🟨

  • Recommended for convenience shopping.
  • Tūtānekai Street and parts of adjoining streets.
  • To get your free first hour, you must number plate at a parking meter or in the PayStay app when you arrive. You can use the free first hour once per day.

Zone 2 🟥

  • Recommended for long stay customers.
  • Rest of city centre. No free first hour.
  • You must enter your number plate to register and pay for your parking.

Permit areas 🟩

  • Recommended for inner city workers or long stays (e.g. day stays).
  • CBD edges and parking building (see map).
  • Permit durations: 1 day, 2 weeks, 1 month, 3 months.
  • Affordable prices and free after 3pm. Free during the weekend and public holidays.

Free areas 🟡🔵

  • Time limited and all-day free parking options.
  • Locations around the outer edges of the city.
View parking hours and fees

Permit areas

Parking permits are best if you need to park in the inner city for longer than three hours, for work, or as an inner city resident.

Pay for your permit by scanning the QR code on the signs in the area or by visiting the e-permits self-service portal.

Learn more about parking permits

Pukuatua Street carpark building

Pukuatua Street carpark building is a good option if you need permit parking for work or a full-day visit.

The building’s vehicle entrance is located at 1371 Pukuatua Street. Pedestrians can enter/exit the building via stairwells from Pukuatua Street or Hinemoa Street.

Please note: Level 1 is reserved for Corporate Permits. Level 2 and Level 3 are available for all other permit holders (unless otherwise stated by signage).

Learn more about Corporate Permits

Haupapa Street carpark

From 1 July 2026, the public parking area at Haupapa Street carpark will be free.

Please avoid reserved parking at the rear of shops or within the area with controlled barrier arms.

Parking officers will continue to check this area.

Parking for mobility users and other vehicles

Mobility card holders

Rotorua Lakes Council supports access to inner city parking for people with CCS Mobility Parking Permits.

If you have a CCS Mobility Parking Permit, you can apply for a free RLC Mobility permit. This helps licence plate recognition technology confirm your CCS Mobility card when you park in mobility spaces or other parking spaces in the city.

Learn more about mobility permits

Motorhome and campervan parking

There are two locations for daytime motorhome parking in Rotorua, both only a few minutes’ walk from the inner city.

  • Hinemoa Street - near the Polynesian Spa (this is a permit-only parking area for motorhomes.)
  • When buying a day permit you will need to register before you purchase. You will need your contact details and vehicle registration (number plate).
    Buy a day permit
  • Off Lakefront Drive – first left after the roundabout at Lake Road/Lakefront Drive intersection. Parking area is parallel to Lake Road.

Motorcycle parking

There are dedicated motorcycle (motorbike) parks in the inner city. Motorcyclists need to pay per motorcycle regardless of whether they are parked in dedicated motorcycle parks or regular car parks.

Motorcyclists also need to use the pay by plate or permit system in the same way that cars do and adhere to all other relevant time restrictions.

Contractor parking

When working at an inner-city site for an extended period of time (e.g. shop fit outs or building work) contractors can purchase an electronic Contractor Permit. This provides the convenience of not having to visit a parking meter or pay for parking using the app.

With a Contractor Permit, you can park one registered vehicle near your work site without worrying about time limits. All parking spaces except P15's and specialist spaces such as mobility, taxi spaces etc can be used.

Please note that a Contractor Permit does not guarantee a particular parking space will be available. The contractor is responsible for making sure that their permit remains current at all times.

Tour bus and Coach stops and parks

The map below shows inner city tour bus and coach stops. If you have further questions, please contact council’s Transport Solutions team on 07 348 4199.

Please note that on the following map:

  • City Ride bus stops are not featured.
  • City Ride buses may use bus stops and parks on this map but must adhere to any applicable time-restriction at a particular stop/park.
  • Only City Ride buses can use City Ride bus stops between 6.30am - 7pm.

How parking is monitored

Rotorua Lakes Council has an in-house parking team which monitors the pay-by-plate system. Wardens patrol inner city streets alongside two licence plate reading (LPR) scan cars travelling the city.

Permit areas are also monitored to check that vehicles have a valid permit linked to their number plate.

The carpark building uses LPR technology to check permits registered against number plates of vehicles entering and exiting the building (excluding a 15 minute grace period to pay for a permit).

Council's Parking Policy, Guidelines and Bylaw

Help with parking related questions

If you have questions regarding parking or need to report an issue, please contact us on 07 348 4199 or email info@rotorualc.nz for non-urgent issues.

For PayStay related queries or to report issues with the app, contact the PayStay Call Centre directly on 0800 000 111.

Report illegal parking

If you spot illegal parking, please contact us on 07 348 4199 or report it via Antenno, a free mobile app that lets you easily report issues in your area. We may not be able to respond straight away.

It is helpful if you can provide evidence of illegal parking by supplying photos (if safe to take them) to info@rotorualc.nz or you can upload them via the Antenno app.

Download the Antenno mobile app

Questions about parking in Rotorua

Anywhere on Tūtānekai Street – get your first hour free by registering your licence plate on arrival and pay $2 per hour for the next two hours. Total cost $4.

Use the PayStay app as a registered user and easily extend your time or stop it early and only pay for the time you’ve used.

Parking instructions are communicated using the regulatory signs (blue and white signs) around the inner city. Machines will also display the specific pricing for the zone they are in.

If you are using the PayStay app – there is also PayStay signage (smaller green blue, white signs) displaying the ‘zone’ number in six digits. The last digit confirms what zone you are in (either 1 or 2). This information will also be displayed on the nearby parking machines.

The map within the PayStay app will also show which zone you are in however, it’s best to double check by looking at the signs and arrows near where you are parked especially if you are parked close to where the zones change over.

  • You may get a $70 fine if you do not register your parking.
  • You have 10 minutes after parking to:
  • pay at a parking meter
  • use a virtual meter
  • pay in the PayStay app.
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