We are all reminded to always park properly and follow the Auckland Council rules and regulations. We are blessed to have an officer (Constable Sang Ho Byun) from New Zealand Police to share some tips for us to remember.
This article after this line is authorized and authored by Constable Sang Ho Byun
Most New Zealanders, as well as visitors, rely heavily on the use of motor vehicles to commute and travel.
Today, I would like to share parking tips, the new wheel-clamping legislation that protects the drivers, as well as how to find where your vehicle was towed to.
Parking Safely
It’s better to park in a clearly identified parking facility than take a risk on a parking spot you’re not legally allowed to use. If there are signs, these establish the contract for parking, e.g. how long you can park, the fee you need to pay.
To prevent your vehicle being ticketed, towed or clamped:
Choose your parking spot carefully. Read any signs near your parking space or at the point of payment. Obey any conditions on signs — paying attention to time limits, fees, and what will happen if you break these conditions. If you park on private land, even if there are no signs, your vehicle could be towed or clamped. You may need to pay.
How to read parking signs in New Zealand:
The picture is one of the parking signs in New Zealand. The number 120 represents maximum time for parking. Underneath it are the days- Monday to Friday. This means that the vehicle can be parked for maximum of 120 minutes from Monday to Friday. In other word, there is no maximum time for parking from Saturday and Sunday.
This sign is more complicated than the last one. The tip to read the sign is to start from the top to the bottom. This parking sign means between 8:30am to 9:30am, and 2:30pm to 3:30pm from Monday to Friday, maximum parking time is 15 minutes. Then at other times, from Monday to Friday, the maximum parking time is 60 minutes.
The maximum time applies only from Monday to Friday. So you can assume that there is no maximum time for parking on weekends.
If you see this sign, please go to the parking meter and check the times there and make the payment for parking.
New wheel clamping rules
The new legislation was introduced and is in effect to protect the public from wheel clampers charging excessive fees.
· The maximum fee that the operators can charge is at $100.
· Operators must be available (within reason) to respond to requests to remove a wheel clamp.
· Operators must remove a wheel clamp as soon as reasonably practicable, after a fee is paid.
· The operators who charge drivers excessive fee (over $100), and those who do not remove the clamp within a reasonable timeframe after a fee is paid, will be criminally responsible and the offences will be enforceable by the New Zealand Police.
How to find your vehicle when it is towed:
The tow companies call the Police whenever they tow the vehicle. They advise the Police where the vehicle was towed from and where to. Hence if you find your vehicle missing, it’s possible that it’s been towed. Call 105 and asked the call taker if there is any record of the vehicle being towed. The call taker will confirm your ID and advise you where the vehicle is.
Author: Constable Sang Ho Byun
Ethnic Liaison Officer
Prevention team of Maori Pacific and Ethnic Services
Tāmaki Makaurau