Voting was divided when the Whangarei District Council district living committee voted to authorise parking wardens to issue tickets to vehicles lacking up-to-date warrant of fitness or registration stickers.
The new regulation, expected to come into force on July 1, will carry a $200 fee for warrant infringements, payable to the council and brings the council in line with the rest of the country.
Owners of vehicles with a warrant of fitness lapsed for less than a month would have 14 days to fix faults before being fined.
The move, introduced by a notice of motion from Cr John Williamson, was criticised as "revenue-gathering" during debate before it passed 9-6.
Cr Williamson opened discussion by describing how two people had been killed when a car with no warrant and two bald tyres had struck their vehicle while travelling at 120km/h at Hukerenui three months ago.