Key Takeaways
- The Department of Conservation (DOC) has introduced a pilot scheme to charge car parking fees at major hotspots in Aoraki-Mount Cook, Punakaiki-Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau.
- The fees, which range from $5 an hour to $25 a day, aim to help pay for upkeep and maintenance of DOC assets, including carparks, huts, tracks, and parks.
- Several groups, including the Transport Agency, Police, Heritage NZ, and the NZ Alpine Club, have raised concerns about the potential impact of the fees on tourist behavior, including parking on the roadside and increasing roadside rubbish.
- The DOC has acknowledged these concerns and will monitor parking behavior as part of the pilot scheme, which is set to run until June 2026.
Introduction to the Car Parking Fees Pilot Scheme
The Department of Conservation (DOC) has introduced a pilot scheme to charge car parking fees at major hotspots in Aoraki-Mount Cook, Punakaiki-Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau. The fees, which range from $5 an hour to $25 a day, aim to help pay for upkeep and maintenance of DOC assets, including carparks, huts, tracks, and parks. The pilot scheme, which began on Monday, is set to run until June 2026 and will help the DOC to assess the effectiveness of the fees in managing tourist numbers and generating revenue.
Concerns Raised by Stakeholders
Several groups, including the Transport Agency, Police, Heritage NZ, and the NZ Alpine Club, have raised concerns about the potential impact of the fees on tourist behavior. The Transport Agency has expressed concerns about the potential for tourists to park on the roadside, particularly in unsafe locations, and the impact this could have on safety and emergency services. The Police have also raised concerns about the potential for tourists to park on the roadside, particularly in areas with limited parking options. Heritage NZ has expressed concerns about the potential impact of the fees on archaeological features and the need for an assessment of the potential effects on these sites.
DOC’s Response to Concerns
The DOC has acknowledged these concerns and will monitor parking behavior as part of the pilot scheme. The department has also stated that emergency services will always have access to the area, and that temporary traffic management will be in place on Hooker Valley and Tasman Valley roads, and the State Highway. The DOC has also completed an archaeological assessment and will investigate potential paid parking traffic impacts and design mitigations to manage impacts and safety.
Financial Sustainability of DOC Assets
The car parking fees are part of efforts to help the DOC pay for maintaining its assets, including carparks, huts, tracks, and parks. The department has faced budget and job cuts in recent years and faces a 30 percent shortfall on funding for huts and tracks. A briefing to the Conservation Minister in May 2024 noted that New Zealand was ranked 30th out of 33 OECD countries for environmental tax revenue as a share of total tax revenue. The DOC has also stated that its visitor network is not financially sustainable in the long term, with taxpayer funding providing a significant portion of its revenue.
Monitoring and Evaluation of the Pilot Scheme
The DOC will monitor parking behavior and adjust the pilot scheme as needed. The department will also assess the effectiveness of the fees in managing tourist numbers and generating revenue. The pilot scheme is set to run until June 2026, and the DOC will use the data collected during this time to inform its decision on whether to continue the fees or make changes to the scheme. The success of the pilot scheme will depend on the ability of the DOC to balance the need to generate revenue with the need to manage tourist numbers and protect the environment.
Conclusion
The introduction of car parking fees at major hotspots in Aoraki-Mount Cook, Punakaiki-Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau is a significant step towards addressing the financial sustainability of DOC assets. While there are concerns about the potential impact of the fees on tourist behavior, the DOC has acknowledged these concerns and will monitor parking behavior as part of the pilot scheme. The success of the pilot scheme will depend on the ability of the DOC to balance the need to generate revenue with the need to manage tourist numbers and protect the environment.
