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The Department of Conservation has confirmed the pricing structure for car parks at Dolomite Point, Punakaiki, and Franz Josef / Waiau as part of a paid car parking pilot this summer.
DOC director of heritage and visitors Catherine Wilson says: “We decided on these prices after comprehensive market research, and engagement with Treaty Partners, stakeholders and the community at these two sites. The outcome is a pricing proposal which we think is fair and reasonable.”
The pricing structure reflects submitters’ calls for an initial free period, special consideration for locals, free parking for concessionaires, and a reasonable price for both regular users and occasional visitors.
Final details of the pricing
- Free parking for 20 minutes to allow drop-offs/pick-ups or short visits
- $5 per hour
- $20 per day
- $10 annual pass for locals (within Buller, Grey and Westland district boundaries), allowing unlimited access during the year
- $60 annual pass for other regular visitors
- Parking fee exemption for commercial tourism operators with a valid concession for the duration of the pilot
“Following a competitive tendering process, DOC has appointed Stellar to provide paid parking hardware and associated services,” says Catherine. “They have a strong track record of delivering customer-focused parking solutions and take a constructive approach to enforcement through clear communication and fair processes.”
Payment machines will be installed at the sites and cameras will record vehicle entry and exit. Non-payment of fees will incur breach notices, issued by Stellar.
DOC estimates combined revenue from the Dolomite Point and Franz Josef pilots will be about $1 million over the seven-month trial period (December 2025 to June 2026 inclusive).
Once the pilot is complete and benefits assessed, a decision will be made on whether to continue with paid parking at the three sites, and whether to extend the programme to other locations.
“The introduction of a paid parking programme enables visitors to contribute to conservation facilities as they are out naturing,” says Catherine. “This is standard practice at many national parks overseas, and most international visitors accept this as a necessary contribution to support amazing nature sites.”
The paid parking pilot will run from December 2025 to June 2026. Paid parking is also planned for White Horse Hill, Aoraki Mt Cook, starting December 2025. Submissions on that proposal are open until Wednesday, October 22, 2025.
For more information visit: DOC website – https://www.doc.govt.nz/our-work/paid-parking-pilot-programme/
