DOC will begin a paid parking pilot on 15 December 2025. It will include car park upgrades and the introduction of paid parking systems. This will help control parking pressures and increase financial support for our special cultural and natural areas.  

For information on charges and annual permits, visit: Paid car parking. 

Background on the pilot

Paid parking is a tool used globally to manage visitor numbers and contribute to the financial sustainability of popular natural sites.

The purpose of the DOC pilot is to:

• trial a way for visitors at high-use sites to contribute to nature experiences they enjoy
• improve visitor experience 
• align with international best practices.

The pilot is funded by $3.8 million from the International Visitor Conservation and Tourism Levy (IVL).

Pilot locations

The pilot is being rolled out at three high-use visitor sites in the South Island: 

• Punakaiki Pancake Rocks, Paparoa National Park
• Franz Josef Glacier, Westland Tai Poutini National Park
• White Horse Hill, Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.

Community engagement

Stage one - feedback on paid parking plans

During May-September 2025 we engaged with mana whenua, local communities and stakeholders. We shared paid parking plans and gathered feedback on how to make the pilots successful. We received over 150 submissions.

All the submissions have been collated in a Final engagement report on paid parking (PDF, 6,995)

Stage two - feedback on draft pricing strategy

We held drop-in sessions in Punakaiki on 14 August, in Franz Josef on 15 August and in Aoraki on 29 September to discuss a draft pricing strategy for the pilot.

Feedback on the draft pricing strategy closed on 26 August for Franz Josef and Punakaiki. Feedback for Aoraki/Mt Cook closed on 22 October. 

More information:

• Punakaiki paid parking proposal leaflet (PDF, 495K) 
• Franz Josef paid parking proposal leaflet (PDF, 534K)
• Aoraki paid parking pricing proposal leaflet (PDF, 2,567K)
• Paid parking pilot stage two engagement report (PDF, 4,016K)

Final pricing decision for Franz Josef and Punakaiki

• Free parking period for 20 minutes to allow for drop-offs/pick-ups or staying a short time.
• Hourly rate of $5 per hour.
• Daily rate of $20 per day.
• Annual pass for locals (within Buller, Grey and Westland districts) of $10 per year, which allows for unlimited access during the year.
• Annual pass for other regular visitors for $60 per year, which equates to $1.15 per week.
• Commercial tourism operators who hold a valid concession will be granted a parking fee exemption for the duration of the pilot. 

Final pricing decision for Aoraki Mt Cook

• Free parking period for 20 minutes to allow for drop-offs/pick-ups or staying a short time.
• Hourly rate of $5 per hour.
• Daily rate of $25 per day.
• Annual pass for locals (within MacKenzie District boundaries) of $10 per year, which allows for unlimited access during the year.
• Annual pass for other regular visitors for $60 per year, which equates to $1.15 per week.
• Commercial tourism operators who hold a valid concession will be granted a parking fee exemption for the duration of the pilot. 

Pilot plan

Hardware is being installed for the pilot in December 2025 at all three sites.

We are also exploring longer-term car park options for White Horse Hill to manage peak demand and reduce congestion. These include existing car park improvements, park-and-ride and other travel demand management options. 

Pilot dates

Initial stakeholder engagement:   May-June  2025 

Proposal of car park pricing structure shared with stakeholders:  

• Franz Josef and Punakaiki: August 2025
• Aoraki: September 2025

Drop-in sessions to discuss the pricing proposal and hear comments and ideas:

• Punakaiki and Franz Josef: mid-August 2025
• Aoraki: 29 September 2025

Stakeholders provided feedback:  

• Franz Josef and Punakaiki: August 2025
• Aoraki: by 22 October 2025

Paid car park pricing finalised and stakeholders advised : 

• Franz Josef and Punakaiki: 30 September 2025
• Aoraki: 12 November 2025

Implementation of paid parking in all three sites: December 2025 

Assessment of pilot and decision to introduce paid parking services at other DOC sites and continue paid parking: July 2026    

Contact

If you have any queries, contatct us at infor@doc.govt.nz or call 0800 275 362.