Rotorua parking: Coins could be phased out as part of potential shake-up

Using coins to pay for parking in Rotorua could be phased out as the council seeks public feedback on a potential city parking shake-up.

Coin payments are one part of a wider review also looking at parking fees, time limits, payment technology, worker permits and how parking is laid out across the city centre.

About half of Rotorua’s city centre parking machines currently accept coins. Coin payments equate to 10.5% of parking payments but come with added costs for ongoing maintenance, collection and security.

The council is asking whether the current number of coin machines should remain, be removed or reduced to areas where they are most commonly used.

Other cities have got rid of coin machines. The Hutt City Council converted its final 96 cash-accepting machines following vandalism last year.

Opinion on Rotorua’s streets was mixed.

Joe Donoghue said he regularly visited work clients in Rotorua and had no problem with a coin option remaining unless it saved cost to do otherwise.

“I think most people are pretty savvy with other ways of paying nowadays,” he said.

Mary Whitcombe said she used coins. She wanted the council to focus on ensuring machines were functioning.

“If it means they are actually going to work, then a change might be good.”

A coin system seemed “old-fashioned” to city worker Jez Mal.

Maia, who did not wish to give her second name, agreed.

“I never have coins on me, so would never pay like that. I usually pay with my phone or swipe a card,” she said.

Rotorua Lakes Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston. Photo / Andrew Warner

Rotorua Lakes Council destination development group manager Jean-Paul Gaston said the council did not have a cost breakdown of coin collection and machine maintenance.

He also said vandalism was not a factor.

When asked what plans were in place if coin machines were removed, a council spokesperson said no decision had been made.

“Reviewing the future of coin payments is part of our due diligence ahead of decision-making,” they said.

“The ultimate aim is to ensure we have a well-managed system that supports businesses, residents and visitors and is cost-efficient.”

The council is also asking for feedback on an inner-city parking review, including a reshaped city centre parking layout.

The i-Park parking machines. Photo / NZME

The proposal does not specify which streets, time limits, or spaces would change, nor does it outline pricing. Consultation feedback will guide the final design.

The council is also consulting on a review of fees, permits for city workers, and more upgraded payment options.

Proposed changes to the Traffic Bylaw would strip out outdated references and bring enforcement rules into line with the new parking layout.

Submissions close on February 13 and a report will be presented to councillors to make final decisions.

In July, it was confirmed that the council would not be continuing its arrangement with parking provider i-Park, ending an eight-year outsourced model.

The council will have its own parking wardens and will take over infringement duties. Infrastructure, such as pay machines and software, will remain outsourced.

Mathew Nash is a Local Democracy Reporting journalist based at the Rotorua Daily Post. He has previously written for SunLive, been a regular contributor to RNZ and was a football reporter in the UK for eight years.

- LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.