The Department of Conservation is set to trial paid parking at three South Island visitor sites in an effort to manage visitor pressure and support conservation efforts.
Funded $3.8 million by the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy, the trial includes car park improvements and introducing paid parking systems for car parks at Punakaiki Pancake Rocks and Franz Josef Glacier on the West Coast, and White Horse Hill in Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park in Canterbury.
Department of Conservation (DOC) heritage and visitors director Catherine Wilson said it is the department’s job to both protect and restore nature and ensure experiences are good.
“These three car parks are among our busiest. We can’t just keep building bigger car parks — it doesn’t solve the issue or uphold these outstanding areas. We have to modernise and innovate to deliver for nature and for New Zealand.
“A user pays approach for DOC car parks has long been mooted as a sensible solution — with the goal of reducing pressure and generating revenue at our popular sites.
“The approach brings us in line with overseas solutions for similar issues. By contributing to costs at high use sites, visitors give back to the places they enjoy, helping create a more regenerative model to sustain New Zealand’s precious biodiversity.”
Wilson said at this moment, no decisions have been made on specific pricing or charging mechanisms.
“DOC is in the planning phase for the paid car parking pilot. This work includes engaging with partners and stakeholders, and addressing site-specific concerns.
“Sites like White Horse Hill car park are already over capacity on peaks days with an estimated 700 vehicles per day. At times there are up to 150 vehicles parked up to 1.5km down the access road.
“For this site, we will be exploring solutions, such as pre-booked parking, to help manage visitor demand and mitigate the environmental impacts that come with heavy use.”
DOC said it expects the car park charges will be in place at all three trial locations next summer, over late 2025 and early 2026. The trial period will be 12 months, and findings will inform DOC’s future decision making on the matter.