Pay and display parking is here to stay in Rotorua but some drivers are still struggling with the new system.
Rotorua District Council city services manager Dennis Olliver said pay and display machines would slowly replace parking meters, and reminded motorists they risked a $40 fine if they did not display a valid ticket.
However, a district councillor has admitted the decision to install pay and display in Rotorua was a little short-sighted after complaints received from the public.
Chairwoman of the council's corporate and customer services committee, Janet Wepa, said she should have taken more notice of council staff when councillors voted to change the way the city pays for parking.
She felt people were unaware of the $40 fine for not displaying a valid ticket, saying it was a hefty price to pay for a small transgression.
But Mr Olliver said to avoid fines drivers parking in pay and display areas must immediately purchase a ticket from the nearest pay and display machine to cover the time they expect to be parked and must position the receipt where it could be clearly seen from outside the vehicle.
The $40 fine for not displaying a valid ticket was set by central government, and was standard throughout New Zealand.
"And if they over-stay the time they have paid for, whether at a parking meter or pay and display space, they also risk getting a $10 parking ticket.
"Some motorists are chancing their luck and not buying a parking receipt because they only plan to be away from their car for a few minutes.
"However, if a parking warden identifies a vehicle not showing a parking receipt during hours that parking has to be paid for, they are likely to issue a $40 infringement notice."
Mr Olliver said there was adequate signage around town and if people were unsure of how a pay and display machine worked they could ask a passerby or shopkeeper.
"We've also put notices on each pay and display unit to remind people about the fine for not displaying a parking receipt."
He urged motorists to ensure their pay and display parking receipt was displayed on the dashboard inside the windscreen - the right way up - and clearly visible to a parking warden.