Parking system FAQs – Rotorua Lakes Council

What about the parking building on Pukuatua Street? How will that work?

In 2020, Rotorua Lakes Council and i-Park upgraded the Pukuatua Street Carpark Building’s management system and equipment. This has included new long to medium term parking options, number plate recognition systems, automatic entry and exit barrier arms, new payment machines and a new ticket-less system for users.

The purpose of the upgrade is to provide a more efficient and cost-effective parking solution for CBD workers and visitors.

Learn about the parking building’s parking options

What about motorcyclists, do they need to pay for parking?

Yes motorcyclists need to pay to park in both dedicated motorcycle parks and when parking in regular car parks within metered parking zones.

Motorcyclists will need to use the Pay-by-Plate system in the same way that cars do, and adhere to any stated time restrictions. Motorcyclists also need to pay to park in the Pukuatua St Parking building.

Has the new system made parking more expensive?

Council is still responsible for setting the parking rates and the parking tariff has not changed (currently $1 per hour). The new machines do however have a minimum payment of $0.50 (smaller change can be used to make up the 50c). Like other services, using a debit/credit card will also attract a fee of $0.50. However, eftpos cards cannot be used.

What does the $0.50 fee for using my debit/credit card cover?

Using a debit or credit card to make your payment is an option we have provided for users for added convenience. The cost of using this type of payment is $0.50. Paying for parking with coins is still a readily available option throughout the inner city. Alternatively, you can use the mobile parking app PrestoPark to pay for parking. Learn more about the app on i-Park’s website here.

The 50c fee for using a debit or credit card covers the cost of providing the card reader technology, the integration of the technology and on-going maintenance of the card reader technology, as well as the bank transaction fee. This fee is aligned with bank rules around setting surcharges, so long as the customer is notified of the fee. Notification of this fee is displayed on the parking machine screens when choosing your parking time and payment options. Additionally, if you press the information icon on the screen (this is the button with an ‘i’ on it) this will display more information about the cost of parking and related fees.

The global trend for parking is towards cashless solutions and the charging of a fixed transaction fee ($0.50 is standard across New Zealand) is industry practice.

With the current fee of $0.50 per card transaction, and current use of parking, it will still take 3.5 – 4 years just to recover the cost of investing in card capability, excluding the cost of failures, changes in banking regulations, and changes in technology requirements and regulations. The reality is that it is more expensive to provide this payment option.

Council will continue to monitor and review this system as per its eight year contract with i-PARK.

Why can’t I use my eftpos card?

The previous coin-only machines have been replaced with a modern fleet of credit/debit card capable machines that meet the current banking and privacy standards.

When we were considering options for the new system Council was advised by i-Park that providing the option to pay by eftpos would be significantly more expensive, both to provide and operate, and that the technology supporting eftpos payments is not as secure for unattended payments, or robust in outdoor environments and when used incorrectly.

The current card payment system is consistent with similar parking solutions throughout New Zealand and all over the world, and offers convenience and security for parking service users in the city.

What is a parking ‘tariff’?

A tariff is the amount of money it costs to park in a certain area. For example our current parking tariff is $1 per hour.

What is the benefit of this new parking system?

It’s paperless, sophisticated and offers multiple ways to pay, easily.

The parking management system includes up to 80 touch-screen parking terminals in the CBD (including Haupapa off-street parks) capable of accepting coins, credit/debit cards and mobile parking app payment options. The parking building also has new state of the art technology installed.

Screens on the terminals can include customised messages, which means we can promote local activities or events. An additional feature will also allow the terminals to be programmed in multiple languages in the future, including te reo Māori. This feature supports the city’s Bilingual Rotorua journey.

What about mobility park users?

Nothing changes for mobility park users. Mobility card holders can use dedicated mobility spaces for as long as they want without paying. All other car parks can be used by mobility card holders, without paying, for double the amount of time specified (except P15 spaces which are limited to the time frames specified and are intended for quick pick up and drop offs). If no time limit is specified, mobility card holders may park in this space for as long as they require without having to pay. Ensure that your valid mobility permit is clearly displayed. Parking wardens monitor the mobility parking spaces to ensure vehicles have valid mobility permits.

Why did Council change its parking services?

The demand for parking will continue to increase and predicted economic and population growth in Rotorua will continue to expand this need.

Council upgraded the parking system to provide an effective, modern, and cost-efficient service to the community. The new parking system improves consistency of service across the city and improves turnover of parking spaces so that car parks are less difficult to find. This in turn supports local businesses who have struggled in the past with patrons being unable to locate a car park outside of their business due to cars being parked in free parking spaces all day.

The previous parking system used obsolete coin-operated meters that were expensive to operate and maintain, as well as being labour-intensive to monitor. This dated technology contributed to low enforcement rates and lost revenue.

Why have parking restrictions?

Successful urban centres depend heavily on the availability of well-operated and demand-balanced parking facilities.

Restrictions enable the fair rationing of limited spaces to give everyone equal access to wherever they want to go.

Enforcement ensures parking spaces are managed for the collective good of residents, businesses and visitors, ensuring equity, minimising abuse of restrictions such as time limits, safety provisions and designated spaces (eg, disability and delivery parking).

What is the benefit to ratepayers?

It is the responsibility of i-Park to keep the services operational and to deliver the services as per its agreement with the Council. Council no longer needs to invest an estimated $2 million to modernise and invest in technology and the maintenance, operation and upkeep of that technology.

Revenue collection will improve through better compliance because the technology allows more consistent, and efficient and effective enforcement options.

i-Park is responsible for managing, operating and maintaining the specialist technology, which means Council funds can be directed to other community services.

How was the decision made?

A wide range of options were tested through a systematic process which involved early market involvement of the specialist parking services sector. The possible options were carefully analysed. This was followed by a staged procurement programme to identify the most suitable specialist parking services partner.

In December 2017 Council approved awarding the contract to manage all parking services within the Rotorua District to Auckland-based Harding Traffic Limited. The Chief Executive was delegated the authority to negotiate the final terms of a contract.

How does the contract work?

i-Park will be paid a monthly fee to provide parking services on behalf of Rotorua Lakes Council.

i-Park will invest in the new parking infrastructure that will replace current meters and pay-and-display technology.

Council will receive the parking revenue and will continue to set the policy including the prices for parking.

Tell me more about i-Park

Auckland-based New Zealand owned and operated Harding Traffic is a specialist Intelligent Traffic Management company within the traffic industry and engaged in the parking services procurement process with Rotorua Lakes Council. i-Park (Innovative Parking Solutions Ltd) is a sister company.

Harding focuses on the assembly, supply and installation of intelligent traffic management systems while i-Park focuses on delivering services.

Harding will install the technical solution, but i-Park will be responsible for service delivery and the operation of the system.

i-Park terminals are state of the art and are offered with touch screen capability.

i-Park will also be providing and using specialist licence plate-recognition parking enforcement software solution that interfaces with the parking terminals and other systems and manages the enforcement process. It provides a seamless interface with the Ministry of Justice e-filing system and with New Zealand Transport Agency vehicle registry. It also provides an online portal for anyone needing to view, pay or request further consideration of an infringement.

This level of solution makes the service as efficient as possible therefore enabling i-Park to offer the solution as cost-effectively as possible to the Council.

Do other Councils charge for public parking?

Yes. There is a range of systems operating around the country including pay by plate, pay by space and pay-and-display. Free parking and some paid parking is generally time limited, after which an infringement will be issued.