The Department of Conservation will begin charging for car parking at three popular South Island sites in a pilot programme beginning December 15.
The sites are Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Department of Conservation director of heritage and visitors Catherine Wilson said the pilot will run over the next seven months at the popular sites as a way for visitors to contribute to the nature experiences they enjoy.
“The programme includes car park upgrades and the introduction of paid parking systems.”
Parks at all three sites would be set at an hourly rate of $5. A daily rate of $20 would be available at Punakaiki and Franz Josef, and $25 per day at Aoraki/Mount Cook.
Parking would be free for 20 minutes to allow for pick-ups and drop-offs, or staying a short time.
An annual permit would also be available for residents within local council boundaries of $10 per vehicle per site for one year with unlimited access. For visitors, a similar permit option would be available for $60 per vehicle per year.
Commercial tourism operators who hold a valid concession would be granted a parking free exemption for the duration of the pilot.
The pilot will run until June 2026.
Local school groups, volunteer groups, and community groups are able to apply online for exemptions to the parking charges.
The Department of Conservation said payment machines will be installed at the sites and cameras will record the entry and exit of vehicles. Non-payment of parking fees would incur a breach notice, which would be enforced by hardware and parking services supplier Stellar.
A revenue of approximately $1.5 million was expected to be made over the seven-month period from December 2025 and June 2026.
After the pilot, outcomes would be studied to decide if paid parking will continue, or be extended to other sites.
Wilson said paid parking is “standard practice” at many national parks overseas.
“Most international visitors accept this as a necessary contribution to support amazing nature sites.”