By REBECCA DEVINE and
MIKE MATHER in Rotorua
Rotorua's disabled drivers have discovered their free parking passes are useless at Rotorua Regional Airport.
Pam Watts holds a disabled parking pass but was surprised to find she was made to pay for parking on a recent visit to the airport.
Before the new terminal was built, disability carparks at the airport were free but now they are inside the pay carpark.
Mrs Watts said it wasn't fair people who had to pay for disability cards also had to pay for parking.
"How dare they charge [the disabled] when we already have to pay to buy the card."
She had questioned the person in the parking lot booth but was told everyone had to pay for parking at the airport, and there were no exceptions.
Mrs Watts said the airport upgrade was a waste of ratepayers' money and she was angry they were using disabled people to fund it. "They're determined to get that white elephant off the ground. It's the first time I've come across the situation."
She said she was surprised nobody had "kicked up a stink" about the situation sooner.
Airport board chairman Neil Oppatt said he was unaware there were any problems with disability parking at the airport.
"It's news to me.
"I assumed everybody was happy [with the new parking arrangements]."
Mr Oppatt said he raised the issue at a board meeting this week after being told of it by the Daily Post.
Airport manager Matt Clark has been asked to investigate what happens in other airports and in other areas with disabled parking. Those with disability cards will continue to pay in the meantime.
Mr Oppatt said he was disappointed Mrs Watts had not spoken to airport management about the issue. "I'd rather she stick to the issue rather than trying to slag off the company."
Meanwhile, controversy over another Rotorua parking issue rose out of a comment being taken "out of context", the Rotorua District Council says.
Rotorua businessman Dennis Hanson criticised parking wardens this week, alleging that a warden had told him they "had more power than the police".
The comment was made during a confrontation in Eruera St over a car which was not displaying a warrant or registration.
However, Mr Hanson had produced a temporary certificate of fitness for the vehicle.
The council's regulatory services manager Jim Nicklin, who oversees the activities of the wardens, said he had investigated the matter. Although the comments were made, he was satisfied the warden had not spoken out of turn.
"The comments were made.
"They were taken out of context but they were made."
Anger at disabled parking fee
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