Vehicle Infringement Notices
Infringement notices will be issued by the Council’s Parking Wardens if your vehicle is illegally parked:
- in a pay and display area which you have not paid for in an area restricted for certain vehicles e.g. buses, mobility parks, service lanes compromising the safety of other motorists i.e. broken yellow lines in a prohibited area e.g. footpath
Or, if your vehicle does not meet the legal requirements e.g.
- a current evidence of Vehicle Inspection (WOF) is not displayed
- a current Licence (registration label) is not displayed
- has a worn, smooth or damaged tyre
- has unauthorised, deceptive or obscured licence plates or an unauthorised licence.
Infringement Notices will show
- the details of your vehicle
- the date and time Infringement was issued
- where your vehicle was parked at the time
- the alleged offence
- the fee payable
- the summary of right will be printed on the reverse side of the ticket.
How do I pay?
Infringement fees need to be paid within 28 days from the date the infringement was issued. You can pay the amount due by:
- cash cheque or eftpos at Whakatane or Murupara offices
- posting a cheque to:
Whakatane District Council
Private Bag 1002
Whakatane 3158
Cheques should be made payable to the Whakatane District Council and should show the ticket number and vehicle registration on the reverse of the cheque.
What happens if I don’t pay my Infringement Fee?
If payment has not been completed within 28 days from the date the infringement was issued a reminder notice is then sent allowing a further 28 days for payment.
If payment of the infringement still remains outstanding and unpaid the infringement is then sent to the Whakatane District Court and court costs of $30.00 are added to the infringement.
You will need to deal directly with the Courts regarding payment.
How do I dispute my Parking Infringement?
Fill in a parking infringement explanation form and send it to us with any evidence to support your explanation e.g. WOF receipt, registration or Pay and Display ticket.
Parking Infringement explanation form - (PDF 33kb)
If the Council has written to you explaining that they did not accept your explanation, what options are available to you?
- Pay the infringement fee without any additional charges.
- Write to the Council and ask that the case be dealt with in Court by way of written submission. This means you do not appear in Court and is only available to you if you plead guilty but feel you have a good reason that may excuse you.
- Write to the Council asking for a Court Hearing and you plead not guilty. You will be required to appear before Community Magistrates who will hear evidence given by the Council’s witnesses and then evidence from you. The evidence will be considered and a decision made regarding the charge/s.
If you plead guilty (2) or are found guilty (3) of the charge, the Court will order you to pay the fine and any other costs ordered by the Court.