Concerns over unsafe roadside parking following new tourist hotspot fees
Tuesday 16 December 2025 · 2 outlets · 2 reports · updated In this story Department of Conservation
A new pilot scheme has introduced $5 hourly parking fees at Aoraki-Mount Cook, Punakaiki-Pancake Rocks, and Franz Josef/Wairau to fund upkeep. Various groups have expressed concern that these charges may cause tourists to park unsafely on roadsides instead.