New Zealand’s Aoraki Mt Cook to introduce paid parking by late 2025
The Department of Conservation (DOC) in New Zealand is set to introduce paid parking at Aoraki Mt Cook from December 2025. The trial, part of a paid parking pilot programme, aims to have visitors contribute financially to conservation sites and experiences. The first 20 minutes of parking will be free, with a daily cap of $25.
The DOC will charge $5 per hour for parking at Aoraki Mt Cook. Annual parking passes will be available for locals at $10 and non-residents at $60. Stellar Projects will manage the parking, installing payment machines and cameras, and enforcing breach notices for non-payers. Commercial tourism operators with valid concessions will be exempt from the charges.
The trial's success will determine if paid parking is expanded to other sites. Similar trials are currently underway at Punakaiki and Franz Josef/Waiau. The DOC expects to generate about $1.5 million across the three sites over the trial period, running until June 2026.
The DOC has decided on the pricing after reviewing submissions from locals, tourism operators, and businesses. The trial aims to encourage visitors to financially contribute to conservation sites and experiences, with the potential for expansion if successful.
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