Despite a 400% increase in the penalty for parking in a mobility park without a permit, some drivers are not steering clear of them. 

The number of drivers caught using mobility parks in Hawke’s Bay without permits is dropping, but there were still enough offenders in 2025 to allow councils to dish out more than $100,000 worth of fines across the region.

A 400% increase in the fine was introduced by Central Government in October 2024 – taking it from $150 to $750. That’s meant thousands of extra dollars flowing into council coffers in spite of fewer offenders.

Napier is the mobility park stealing hotspot of the Bay, based on fines.

A spokesperson for Napier City Council said 124 tickets were issued from January 1, 2024, to September 30, 2024, dropping to 96 tickets for the same period in 2025.

In the 2024 period, the amount of penalty fines collected was $19,900. That soared to $72,000 in the same period in 2025.

In Hastings, during the same period in 2024, 52 tickets were issued, generating $7,950 in revenue. In the 2025 period, 36 vehicles were ticketed, bringing in $29,250 in revenue.

While fees are set by councils, fines are set by Central Government.

Over $1m in parking fines issued

Over the first nine months of 2025 a total of 21,016 tickets were issued in the Hastings district by council parking officers, including warrant of fitness and registration infringements, a total of $1.2 million worth of fines.

Of those, 10,824 were issued by the licence plate recognition vehicle, which handed out $612,000 of fines, while foot patrols handed out 10,192 tickets to the value of $576,000.

A council spokesperson said some of the fines were subsequently remitted or cancelled, so an exact figure of income generated by parking fines could not be accurately provided.

A grace period of five minutes is given for a P5 parking space, while all other payment and time-related offenders are given 10 minutes. However, there is no grace period for parking on yellow lines, or having no rego or WoF.

Hastings Mayor Wendy Schollum said patrolling parking meters, time zones and other traffic violations ensures a steady turnover of people using parking spaces, making it fair for all users.

All parking revenue is invested back into the city and parking services such as land, pavements, street cleaning, street maintenance and parking officers.

“Turnover is important to ensure all in our community have convenient access to retail and hospitality businesses, which helps support ongoing economic development.”

She said it also reduced traffic congestion from people driving in circles searching for a park, which in turn reduced carbon emissions.

In Napier for the same period of 2025, parking revenue was $516,671.

Napier City Council mayor Richard McGrath said parking was an interesting tool for councils. “Parking fees mean we can collect revenue that goes straight back to the CBD in terms of parking, mobility parking, improved safety and Napier Assist.”

“By charging fairly for parking, we ensure turnover of parking spaces. There’s a lot of choice in Napier, including free all-day if you don’t mind a five-minute walk down Marine Parade.”

He said drivers should be able to park as close as possible to their destination, whether it’s shops, hospitality or essential services.

On Napier streets, if a parking fee has been paid, a grace period of around 10 minutes is given, but for those who don’t pay, the fine is instant.

Napier council is considering a pilot phase for a licence plate recognition vehicle in the second quarter of the year, followed by a broader rollout once key requirements are achieved.

The Top 10 most ticketed streets in Napier

Marine Parade, Dickens East Carpark, Hastings Street, Tennyson Street, Emerson Street, Dickens Street, Station Street, Herschell Street, Dalton Street, Munroe Street.*

The top 10 streets that produced the most revenue in Napier

Marine Parade, Hastings Street, Dickens East Carpark, Emerson Street, Tennyson Street, Dickens Street, Herschell Street, Dalton Street, Station Street, Hastings Street West.

The top 10 most ticketed streets in Hastings

Russell St South, Market St South, Eastbourne St West, Karamu Rd North, Southern Carpark, Queen St East, King St North, Heretaunga St East, Canning Rd, Heretaunga St West.

The top 10 streets that produced the most revenue in Hastings

Market Street South, Karamu Rd North, King Street South, Queen St East, Russell St South, Canning Rd, King St North, Southern Carpark, Heretaunga St East, Heretaunga St West

*Calculated for the period Jan 1, 2025 to October 1, 2025.

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