PayStay Mobile App

In Rotorua you can use the PayStay app to pay for parking in Zones 1 and 2.

If other places in New Zealand use PayStay, you can also use your app there.

No, these are two separate systems. If you want to pay for a permit you will need to do that via theonline ePermit portal.

Yes, if you want full app functionality such as a wallet, the ability to stop and start parking sessions and keeping vehicle and payment information for future use, then you will need to register and set up a payment method.

If you’re not keen on the app but still want to use your phone for parking, you can use the PayStay Guest option which does not require you to download app as it is web based.

You can register via the PayStay app, available from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store. Alternatively, you can create an account at paystay.co.nz/createaccount. You can also register through the PayStay Customer Service on 0800 000 111.

When you register for an account with PayStay you will be prompted to enter your credit card, Apple Pay or Google Pay details. This is because your PayStay account holds funds to be used for your parking.

When you register, you nominate:

A ‘Top-Up Amount’ ($5, $10, $20, $50, $100)

A ‘Low Balance Threshold’ (minimum of $5)

When your account balance falls below the low balance threshold, PayStay automatically tops up your account with the top-up amount, using your saved payment method.

While Council is absorbing all parking related surcharges/transaction fees, any fees related to PayStay app administration are funded by the user. This could include service fees or fees for SMS (txt) reminders.

Yes, if your app is version 4.6 and above (you can check the app version at the bottom of the Account page) then you’ll be able to receive free ‘push notifications’ from the app for 30 minute, expiry and driving reminder alerts. You may need to adjust your app settings within your mobile device.

The easiest way to request a refund is to contact PayStay Call Centre directly on 0800 000 111.

For registered users, PayStay is designed to ensure you pay for the time you actually use. The start and stop function offered by the PayStay app allows you to start your session when you park your car and then stop your session when you finish parking.

With the PayStay app, there is no need to guess how long you may need or to go back to a meter to extend a parking session. (Note, you are always required to comply with any time-limited or other parking restrictions in the parking area you’re in.)

When using the PayStay Guest feature accessed by using the NFC function on your phone or scanning a QR code our blue, virtual meters or on traditional meters, you must specify the exact time you'd like to park and pay for that time, the same way you would with a parking meter.

You can start a parking session by:

1. Open the PayStay app and start your session. This is the recommended option.
2. Scan the QR code on a parking meter or virtual meter.
3. Tap your NFC-enabled phone on a blue virtual meter and follow the prompts.
4. Log in to paystay.co.nz
5. Call PayStay on 0800 000 111.

1. Enable NFC on your phone and place your phone onto a blue virtual meter or scan the QR code. Tap the pop up that appears on your phone.
2. Type in your car’s number plate, your mobile number, then tap ‘Continue.’
3. Choose how long you want to park, then tap ‘Continue.’
4. Pick how you’d like to pay – with a credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
5. If you’d like a receipt, choose ‘Yes’ to have it emailed or downloaded.

Note: NFC (near field communication) can be enabled on all modern phones and is typically accessed via the ‘settings’ menu. For more information on enabling this function please refer to the instructions below.

There isn’t a minimum charge but there is a minimum duration of 30 minutes. However, if you use PayStay and have an account you can stop your parking as soon as you are ready to leave town. You will only be charged for the time you have used, even if it’s only 5 minutes.

If you use PayStay Guest you are charged for the amount of time you select. So with the minimum duration of 30 minutes, you will be charged a minimum of $1 (e.g. 50% of $2 per hour).

Note: if you use PayStay at 4.45pm (15 minutes before the end of paid parking in Rotorua) you will only be charged until 5pm, even with the 30 minute minimum duration.

This may be due to an expired credit card associated with your PayStay account, or insufficient funds being available to top up your PayStay account. Please contact the PayStay Call Centre on 0800 000 111.

Yes, you can do this by logging into your PayStay account at paystay.co.nz. Select ‘Vehicles’ from the menu on the left-hand side. You’ll see the vehicles linked to your account.

To add a new vehicle, click ‘Add’. Enter the vehicle registration and registration state. Then click ‘Save’. You can add as many vehicles to your PayStay account as you like.

There is no limit to the number of vehicles per account.

You can do this through the PayStay app or by logging into your account at paystay.co.nz.

When you start a parking session in the app, select the blue button with your car’s registration and an arrow at the top right of the screen. Then choose ‘Edit’ and remove the old vehicle registration.

Alternatively, you can login to your PayStay account and select ‘Vehicles’ to view your linked vehicles. ‘Delete’ any vehicles you no longer need linked to your account.

The PayStay app service is designed to automatically top up accounts that are running low. During registration for PayStay you are prompted to enter a “Top Up Amount” and a “Low Balance Threshold”. When your account balance falls below the “Low Balance Threshold”, your credit card will be debited by your “Top Up Amount”.

Both the “Top Up Amount” and “Low Balance Threshold” amounts are nominated by you during registration.

Yes, you can change your Low Balance Threshold and your Top Up Amount at any time, by logging into your PayStay Account at paystay.co.nz and selecting Payment Details from the user menu. You can increase or decrease your Balance Threshold and Top up amounts. Then, at the bottom of the page, click ‘Update’ to save these changes.

Active sessions: When you start a parking session, you can view the active session in the app, including the start and expected end time. You can also stop a session directly from session screen in the app, so you only pay for how long you stay.

Reminders to help you avoid overstaying:

You can set up push notifications to alert you 30 minutes before your session ends (if your session is longer than 30 minutes) and when your parking expires.

A text reminder 10 minutes before your session ends for $0.34 per SMS.

Driving reminder: This free feature automatically alerts you if the app detects you’re driving over 30 km per hour, reminding you to end your session if you’ve left your parking spot during an active session.

Yes. You can turn off reminders before starting a session in the app:

1. Before tapping ‘Start parking’, look for the blue text above this that says ‘Reminders are enabled, fees may apply’.

2. Tap that text and toggle reminders off for that session.

Or turn off reminders permanently in the app or on the website. If you do, you won't receive any parking session reminders, including free notifications 30 minutes before your session ends and when your parking expires.

To change your reminder settings, login to:

The app, choose ‘Reminders’ from the menu, then toggle to your choice of reminder services.

The website, choose ‘Motorists’ from the menu, ‘Edit’ the mobile number associated with your account, and under ‘Parking Expiry Reminder’ toggle to your choice of reminder services.

Tap to pay is called NFC (Near Field Communication). Here’s how to make sure NFC works on your mobile.

Android

1. Open Settings.

2. Tap Connections or Connected devices (may vary by model).

3. Tap NFC or NFC & contactless payments and make sure the toggle is ON. If you don’t see NFC, your phone may not support it.

Once it’s on, hold the back of your phone close to the blue, virtual meter – it should respond or show you a prompt.

iPhone (most models from iPhone XS / XR and later)

NFC is automatically enabled; there’s no NFC on/off switch in Settings. Just unlock your iPhone and hold the top near the blue, virtual meter.

Older iPhones (e.g., iPhone 7, 8, X)

These models do not have automatic “background tag reading.” You may need an NFC app from the App Store to scan a blue, virtual meter. If your iPhone shows an NFC Tag Reader icon in Control Centre, you can tap it to start scanning. If you don’t see it, add it in Settings > Control Centre.

How to test it

Once NFC is enabled (or automatically active on iPhone XS and newer), hold your phone where indicated on a blue, virtual meter. You should see a prompt, action, or notification if it’s working.

All data is securly stored by PayStay (Orikan Group Pty Limited). Orikan leases all parking-related technology to Rotorua Lakes Council. Orikan services a number of areas around New Zealand.PayStay respects people’s privacy and is bound by the New Zealand Privacy Act 2020, a copy of the privacy policy can be viewed here https://www.paystay.co.nz/privacy.If you are not comfortable sharing any sort of data, you are more than welcome to use a card or coin-operated machine. There are plenty located around the inner-city.

If you cannot download the app we suggest using the virtual meters and pay through PayStay Guest.

You'll find virtual meters all around town, they are small blue boxes mounted on white poles.

To use them:

1. Enable NFC on your phone and place your phone onto a blue virtual meter or scan the QR code. Tap the pop up that appears on your phone.
2. Type in your car’s number plate, your mobile number, then tap ‘Continue.’
3. Choose how long you want to park, then tap ‘Continue.’
4. Pick how you’d like to pay – with a credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.
5. If you’d like a receipt, choose ‘Yes’ to have it emailed or downloaded.

Note: NFC (near field communication) can be enabled on all modern phones and is typically accessed via the ‘settings’ menu.