Paid parking sites and fees
Paid parking is a pilot programme which will run at three sites from 15 December 2025 to 30 June 2026. The start date is dependent on a number of activities including testing of equipment and services.
Background information about the paid parking pilot programme.
|
Site and location |
Fee per hour |
Fee per day |
|---|---|---|
|
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Paparoa National Park |
$5 |
$20 |
|
Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park |
$5 |
$20 |
|
White Horse Hill, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park |
$5 |
$25 |
Two annual permits are available – see annual parking permits below. Permits cannot be purchased at the payment machines and need to be purchased online in advance.
Concession holders, volunteers, community groups or contractors can apply for an exemption from these charges – see exemption requests below.
How to pay on site
If you arrive and leave within 20 minutes, parking is free at all three sites and you are not required to use a parking machine. If you plan to stay for longer than 20 minutes, you must pay on arrival.
Payment machines that accept debit and credit cards are highly visible at each site. Cash payments are not accepted.
Your parking session can be extended. If you stay for longer than expected and your parking session expires, you can pay for another parking session before you leave.
Cameras record the entry and exit times of vehicles. All vehicles that enter the car park agree to the terms and conditions.
If you are in breach of these terms and conditions, you may be issued a breach notice fee of $75.
You cannot pre-book a car park in advance.
You cannot pay before you get there, unless you have a permit or exemption as outlined below.
Annual parking permits
Permits are a one-off annual payment at discounted rates for locals and other car park users. Cameras recognise your vehicle’s licence plate, so you don’t need a physical permit or to use a parking machine.
Permits do not guarantee a parking space, as our sites can be full in peak times.
One licence plate can be registered to each permit. If you have more than one vehicle you’ll need to purchase additional permits for each vehicle.
There are no refunds for permits.
Local users' permit
Annual permits are available for local users. When purchasing a permit, local users need to upload proof of residence within the district boundaries, such as a recent utility bill.
|
Site |
Fee per year |
Criteria |
|---|---|---|
|
Punakaiki Pancake Rocks |
$10 |
Live in Westland, Grey or Buller districts |
|
Franz Josef Glacier |
$10 |
Live in Westland, Grey or Buller districts |
|
White Horse Hill |
$10 |
Live in Mackenzie district |
General permit
A $60 per year permit is available for other users who do not meet the local use criteria.
Each permit is unlimited access during the year for one vehicle at one site only, not for multiple sites.
Purchase your permit
You can pay for your permit using a credit card, debit card or account-to-account. Ensure you have your card or account details ready to purchase your permit.
- Register online to create an account.
Allow a few minutes for the verification email to arrive and check your spam folder if it doesn’t appear. - After you’ve registered and verified your account, you can log into your account to select and purchase your permit(s).
View our step-by-step user guide for purchasing permits (PDF, 883K)
If you forget your password:
- Reset your password.
- Allow a few minutes for the reset email to arrive and check your spam folder if it doesn’t appear.
If you change vehicles
- You can log in to your account to view and manage your permits.
- You can update the licence plate registered to your permit up to three times per year.
- After the third change, you’ll need to purchase a new permit or use the onsite payment options.
View our step-by-step user guide for updating licence plates (PDF, 411K)
Exemption requests
Community or contractor exemptions
Local school groups, volunteers and community groups can apply for a parking fee exemption for multiple vehicles over a set period of time.
Individuals or businesses who have a contractual arrangement with DOC or provide any other type of regular service in the car parks can apply for a parking fee exemption.
Complete the online application form
The DOC team will process parking exemptions on a case-by-case basis. It will take five working days.
Concession holders' exemption
Valid concession holders are exempt from parking payment. All concession holders who have not received an invitation to register for an exemption permit can apply for one using the application form below.
Complete the online application form
Concession holders' exemption rules
The parking permit is valid only when the user is conducting the authorised activity at the authorised location as listed in the concession contract. For example: If the authorised activity is a guided walk on the Hooker Valley Track, the permit is only valid for parking at the Hooker Valley/White Horse Hill car park during the time of that activity.
There is a limit of 99 licence plates which can be registered to a concession holder's permit at any one time. There is no limit to the number of times users can add or remove the licence plates loaded to the permit.
If you need help
Contact us: info@doc.govt.nz or 0800 275 362.