Thank you to everyone who gave feedback on the parking scheme. Councillors approved the scheme at a meeting of Koata Hātepe, the Regulatory Processes Committee, on 18 April 2024.
Parking in Newtown and Berhampore is changing
Parking in the wider Newtown area has been under pressure for years. There have been repeated community calls for action to address this.
In addition, these busy inner-city suburbs are growing and in future will have a lot more people living in townhouses and apartments. With more residents, and the numbers of people working at Wellington Regional Hospital rising each year, the parking situation will get worse if there is no plan to manage it more fairly.
That's why the decision has been made to have a parking scheme for Newtown and Berhampore. These suburbs will be the first in the city to have a parking plan developed in line with the city’s Parking Policy approved in 2020.
Some significant changes have already been made following a first round of community feedback in 2023. These include:
- changing the length of time people can park in time-restricted parking spaces (without a resident permit or visitor day permit) from two hours (P120) to three hours (P180)
- the time limit for P180 parking will apply Monday to Friday, rather than every day, so people can still park where they want for as long as they want on weekends.
Consultation on the finer details of how the scheme will work was open for three weeks until Monday 19 February at 1pm.
You can find out more about the changes that have already been made to the draft scheme in the What's happened so far section below.
The proposed parking scheme
The new parking scheme will determine who can park where and for how long in residential streets in Berhampore and Newtown. On-street parking will be a mix of spaces with no time limits (unrestricted parking that anyone can use for as long as they want) and P180 spaces that anyone can use for up to three hours.
Residents who choose to apply for resident parking permits (and have a permit approved) will be able to park in P180 spaces for as long as they want to.
Permits are currently $195 a year, about 54 cents a day. It will be possible to pay in instalments. We're also looking into the possibility of free parking permits for mobility permit holders and discounts for low income earners.
The parking scheme will:
- give residents priority and help ease parking pressures
- provide more short-stay parking for tradespeople and visitors
- more fairly manage the demand and allocation of parking permits.
What does this mean for you?
The new scheme prioritises residents and short-stay visitors over commuters, so it should be easier for you to find a park on the street – if you have a parking permit.
In most residential streets in Newtown and Berhampore, most of the on-street parking spaces will be a mix of three-hour parking (P180 resident permit exempt, 8am–8pm, Monday–Friday) and parking with no time limits where anyone can park at any time (unrestricted).
There will be a few streets where almost all the parking will be three-hour, and a few, where for now, all the parking will remain unrestricted. We're keen to hear whether you think we have got the balance right on streets you use.
It’s proposed about 70 percent of the parking in Newtown west will become P180 (except for vehicles with resident permits, visitor passes or other approved permits), 60 percent in Newtown east, and about 30 percent in Berhampore. This mix recognises the existing resident demand that has been observed, and makes provision for some visitors.
New resident permits
Households that apply, pay for, and are allocated an annual resident permit will be able to park in the P180 spaces for as long as they like.
Households that don’t have a permit will need to use unrestricted spaces if they want to park during the day or early evening for longer than three hours, Monday to Friday. The three-hour limit won’t apply overnight (after 8pm and before 8am) or on weekends.
In practice, the time limits mean that people without a permit will be able to park in P180 spaces anytime after 5pm and stay as long as 11am in the morning.
Existing special parking spaces like mobility parks, car share, and EV charging will in most cases remain where they are.
Eligibility criteria for the new resident permits will apply and the number of permits issued will be limited. This is so permits can be allocated to residents who need them most. No household will be granted more than two permits unless there are more than two mobility permit holders living in the same house/flat who are reliant on more than two vehicles.
House share and Council flats
Households with more than two adults - flatting together, house share or extended family situations - will be able to get permits for a maximum of two vehicles only. If there are more than two vehicles associated with an address, people living there will need decide which vehicles to seek permits for. Other vehicle owners associated with the property will need to find and use unrestricted parking spaces nearby.
People who live in Council-owned housing in the parking scheme zones are eligible to apply for resident permits and visitor day passes.
Timing and cost
It’s planned the parking changes will happen in the Berhampore and Newtown west zones first in mid-2024, and be rolled out in Newtown east (the hospital side) in mid-2025.
By then there will be a connected bike route between Island Bay and the city. Combined with pedestrian and bus improvements, travelling in climate-friendly ways in this area will be safer, easier, and possible for more people.
Hospital staff who currently rely on on-street parking will have more time to consider alternatives. Wellington Regional Hospital will also have more time to put alternative travel measures in place and make progress on proposals to have more parking on the hospital campus. The delayed start in Newtown east may temporarily increase parking pressures for residents in this area from mid-2024 to mid-2025.
The existing resident parking areas will be removed as the new scheme comes into effect - starting with those in the Newtown west zone from mid-2024. They will continue to operate in Newtown east until the new scheme is introduced in mid-2025.
Residents who have an existing parking permit will need to apply for a new resident parking permit. Any remaining time on an existing parking permit will be credited towards a new parking permit and the fee will be adjusted accordingly.
All permits will be issued electronically and for specific vehicle licence plates. There will be no windscreen stickers or paper permits.
The full cost of a permit is currently $195 or 54 cents per day. It will be possible to pay in instalments. We're also looking into the possibility of free parking permits for mobility permit holders and discounts for low income earners. Like all user-pay fees, the price per year may be subject to change through future annual and long-term plans.
Visitor day passes
Households will be able to apply for and receive a yearly allocation of free day passes for visitors who need to park during the day for longer than three hours. These will be available to all households - including those without a vehicle of their own and those that choose not to apply and pay for a resident permit.
Households with no off-street parking will be eligible for 50 free visitor day passes each year.
Households with off-street parking will be eligible for 25 free passes each year.
Households can choose to activate a day pass if they have a tradesperson working at their place who needs to stay longer than three hours. Alternatively tradespeople can buy a trade parking coupon.
Check the updated map - there are some changes in response to feedback
Check the map to see what is proposed for your street and other streets in your zone. Some minor changes were made to parking zone boundaries following feedback in the 2023 consultation. These allow residents who live adjacent to commercially-zoned areas to apply for resident permits if they want to.
Find out more about permits and how the scheme will work.
If you generally visit the area for less than three hours, it should be easier for you to find somewhere to park.
In most residential streets there will be parking spaces with no time limits and P180 (resident permit exempt) spaces (8am to 8pm, Monday to Friday) where anyone can park for free for up to three hours.
The time limit on these parking spaces was extended from two hours to three hours following feedback. It will give people more flexibility in a range of situations, including those with hospital appointments, visiting people for extended periods, caregivers, and people attending funerals etc.
If you normally visit and park for longer than three hours Monday to Friday, you will need to look for an unrestricted parking space.
If you are visiting on weekends, or in the evening after 8pm, things will be the same as they are now. You will be able to park for as long as you want in either the unrestricted parking spaces or the P180 spaces.
In practice, the time limits mean people visiting the area will be able to park in P180 spaces any time after 5pm and stay as long as 11am in the morning.
Overall, about half the parking in the Newtown and Berhampore residential areas will continue to have no restrictions. The proposed number and ratio of time-restricted and unrestricted parking varies between the three zones because of different levels of existing demand and parking pressures.
If you are visiting or staying with someone who lives in this area Monday to Friday, they may choose to organise a visitor day pass for your vehicle so it can be parked for up to 12 hours in one of the P180 (resident permit exempt) spaces. They will need your licence plate number ahead of time to do that.
If you drive to work, you will be able to park on the street in unrestricted parking spaces for as long as you want just like you can now. You will also be able to park for up to three hours in the P180 (resident permit exempt) spaces, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
Overnight, 8pm to 8am, and at all times during weekends, you will be able to park in P180 (resident permit exempt) or unrestricted parking spaces.
In practice, the time restrictions mean people without a permit will be able to park in P180 spaces any time after 5pm and stay as long as 11am in the morning.
About 30 percent of the parking in Newtown west, 40 percent in Newtown east, and about 70 percent in Berhampore will have no restrictions.
The parking changes would start in Berhampore and Newtown west in the first half of 2024 and be rolled out in Newtown east (the hospital side) in mid-2025.
By then there will be a connected bike route between Island Bay and the city. Combined with pedestrian and bus improvements, travelling in climate-friendly ways in this area will be safer, easier, and possible for more people.
Hospital staff who currently rely on on-street parking will have more time to consider alternatives. Wellington Regional Hospital will also have more time to put alternative travel measures in place and make progress on proposals to have more parking on the hospital campus. The delayed start in Newtown east may temporarily increase parking pressures for residents in this area.
In response to feedback from people who work at the hospital and others, we are investigating the legality and possibility of the hospital leasing 50 to 60 on-street parking spaces from the Council in the vicinity of Mein Street for hospital staff as a transitional measure.
There is a drop-in session for people who work at Wellington Regional Hospital and hospital campus:
- Wednesday 7 February, 11.30am-2pm, in the staff cafeteria, Wellington Regional Hospital
Check the map to see the planned changes to parking.
If you park on the street in the Newtown and Berhampore area during the day, it is likely to be more difficult to find a park as this scheme prioritises residents, and short-stay visitors.
You will be able to park in unrestricted parking spaces for as long as you want, and for up to three hours in the P180 (resident permit exempt) spaces, Monday to Friday, 8am to 8pm.
About 30 percent of the parking in Newtown west, 40 percent in Newtown east, and about 70 percent in Berhampore will have no restrictions.
Overnight, 8pm to 8am, and at all times during weekends, you will be able to park in both P180 (resident permit exempt) and unrestricted parking spaces.
In practice, the time restrictions mean people without a permit will be able to park in P180 spaces any time after 5pm and stay as long as 11am in the morning.
There is no paid coupon parking in these areas now, and at this stage, no plans to install any. The three-hour and unrestricted parking will be free.
It’s planned the scheme will start in Berhampore and Newtown west in mid-2024 and be rolled out in Newtown east (the hospital side) in mid-2025.
By then there will be a connected bike route between Island Bay and the city. Combined with pedestrian and bus improvements, travelling in climate-friendly ways in this area will be safer, easier, and possible for more people.
Hospital staff who currently rely on on-street parking will have more time to consider alternatives. Wellington Regional Hospital will also have more time to put alternative travel measures in place and make progress on proposals to have more parking on the hospital campus. The delayed start in Newtown east may temporarily increase parking pressures for residents in this area.
Check the map to see the planned changes to parking.
The commercially-zoned areas – in and around the Newtown and Berhampore shopping centres, the shops on Rintoul/Luxford streets, and the shops on Constable Street – are not in the proposed parking scheme area.
For many business owners and operators, there will be few or no changes to parking.
Your customers should find it easier to find a free park in these neighbourhoods because there will be lots of P180 (resident permit exempt) parks in streets nearby allowing them to park for up to three hours. Generally, this should give people time to attend a hospital appointment for example, and then visit a cafe or shop if they want to.
If your business is in a commercially-zoned area that is not included in the parking scheme, you don't have your own off-street parking, and you or your staff normally park all day on the street in Newtown, it may be harder to find a park as the new scheme prioritises residents and short-stay visitors. You and your staff will not be eligible to apply for a resident permit.
If you operate a business from home or a building that is in one of the new parking scheme zones (in a residentially-zoned street), including operating a taxi, courier, or ride share vehicle, you will be eligible to apply for permits for up to two vehicles associated with the property/business. You will not be eligible for any visitor day passes unless you live at the property.
Check the map to find out how parking near you is changing.
Businesses on the Newtown to Island Bay bus and bike route
Parking changes are planned on this route so the connection between Island Bay and Newtown can be made safer and easier for pedestrians, biking, and taking the bus. This includes some changes to parking in areas that are commercially-zoned.
Check the map to find out how parking on this route is changing and how parking in nearby residential streets will be managed.
Read more detail
Rintoul Street and Riddiford Street
Luxford Street
Adelaide Road and northern end of The Parade
The commercially-zoned areas – in and around the Newtown and Berhampore shopping centres, and the shops on Constable Street and at Rintoul/Luxford streets – are not included in the proposed parking scheme area.
Parking, and the way it is managed in your immediate area (with a few exceptions), won't be changing as result of the new parking scheme.
However, if you normally park on the street, the suburb-wide changes to parking could still affect you.
It may be harder for you to find an unrestricted parking space in nearby streets. It's proposed people who live in the commercially-zoned areas with easy access to public transport won’t be eligible to apply for a resident parking permit or visitor day passes.
The zone boundaries exclude the main commercial centres, but we know people live above shops, in apartments and older houses in these areas and may have views on the proposed parking scheme, so please do provide feedback. Some minor boundary changes made after the first round of consultation (see the map and What's happened so far section) will mean a small number of households that previously wouldn't have been eligible will now be able to apply for a resident permit under the parking scheme. Further minor changes to the boundaries are possible.
If you live in Riddiford Street between Mein and Rintoul streets, in lower Rintoul Street, or Luxford Street, parking near you will be changing so the connection between Island Bay and Newtown can be made safer and easier for pedestrians, biking, and taking the bus.
Check the map to see if your place is in one of the parking zones and how parking in streets near you will change when the scheme is introduced in your area. Existing resident parking in Newtown east will operate as usual until mid-2025.
In November 2023, following a first round of community consultation, Kōrau Tūāpapa, the Council's Environment and Infrastructure Committee, considered and approved an amended draft Newtown and Berhampore Parking Management Plan.
Changes that have been made so far in response to concerns raised by hospital staff and other feedback include:
- changing the length of time people can park in time-restricted parking spaces (without a resident permit or visitor day permit) from two hours (P120) to three hours (P180). The time limit was extended to give people more flexibility in a range of situations, including those with hospital appointments, visiting people for extended periods, caregivers, and people attending funerals etc.
- changing the days the P180 parking will apply to Monday to Friday, rather than every day, so people can still park where they want for as long as they want on weekends
- a staged roll-out of the scheme with Newtown west and Berhampore first (from mid-2024) and Newtown east (hospital side) from mid-2025 ( subject to scheme changes that may be suggested following a review after the first six months of operation)
- removing the permit priority that the Parking Policy provides for electric cars for this scheme only
- minor scheme boundary changes that will allow people living in the following properties, which would not have been within the scheme area, to be able to apply for parking permits - 17, 19, 21, 23, 27, 29 and 33 Constable Street, 197, 199, 201, 203, 205, 207 Adelaide Road, and 29 Luxford Street
- adding time restricted, resident permit exempt parking at the western (Adelaide Road) end of Lavaud Street
- treating taxi and couriers vehicles as a business and ranking them accordingly in the permit allocation hierarchy.
Council staff have been asked to further engage with Newtown Hospital, Otago University, Mary Potter Hospice, the Salvation Army, local schools, churches and other local communities and businesses to work on short-term and long-term parking solutions.
Also in response to feedback, the Council is investigating the possibility and legalities of:
- leasing 50-60 on-street car parks in the Mein Street area for exclusive use of hospital staff as a transitional measure
- free parking permits for mobility permit holders and discounts for low income earners.
Approval of the plan was in principle only and is subject to a final round of feedback on the finer details. The traffic changes (resolutions) consultation is open from 30 January to 1pm, 19 February 2024.
Read the summary from the first round of consultation. Watch the video recording of what people said when they spoke to Councillors during oral hearings in mid-November 2023.
Check the minutes or video of the meeting to get the details on what the Committee agreed on 30 November.
Koata Hātepe, the Council's Regulatory Processes Committee, approved the parking scheme on 18 April 2024.
Parking changes will happen in Newtown west and Berhampore zones first. These will be in place by mid-2024. In mid-2025, it is planned to roll out the scheme in Newtown east (the hospital side). This staged approach will give the hospital time to implement more measures and make progress on proposals to increase parking on their site.
We’ll also see how the changes are working once they are in place in Newtown west and Berhampore, with a review planned after six months in late 2024. If necessary, changes will be made to improve the operation of this and future schemes.
Newtown and Berhampore will be the first suburbs in the city to have a new-style parking scheme like this.
Similar parking schemes will be gradually rolled out in other parts of the city over coming years where demand for on-street parking is high.
In time, it is expected this style of parking management and permit system will replace the existing resident parking scheme introduced more than 30 years ago. The new scheme is based on similar schemes that work well in other cities, including parts of Auckland.
Read the Traffic Resolution
The Traffic Resolution is the legal description of all parking restrictions and permits.
How the permits work
The new-style parking scheme is different from the resident parking scheme Wellingtonians are used to. Here’s how the planned new permits will work.
Other types of parking
Mobility parking, car share and other types of special-purpose parking are an important part of the mix in all neighbourhoods. Is existing special purpose parking in Berhampore and Newtown enough and well located or could it be better?
What we're hearing: Parking scheme
502
What is your main relationship to the Berhampore and Newtown parking scheme area?
If approved, do you support making the changes in two stages?
Overall, do you support the proposed Berhampore and Newtown parking scheme?
How the permits work
The new-style parking scheme is different from the resident parking scheme Wellingtonians are used to. Here’s how it is planned the new permits will work.
Other types of parking
Mobility parking, car share and other types of special-purpose parking are an important part of the mix in all neighbourhoods. Is existing special purpose parking in Berhampore and Newtown enough and well located or could it be better?
Options we considered
Fourteen options were originally considered. These were reduced to a short-list of three through two multi-criteria analysis assessments. Find out more about the options we considered