Vehicle Infringement Notices

The Council's parking wardens will issue an infringement notice if your vehicle is illegally parked:

  • In a time-restricted zone
  • In a mobility park when not clearly displaying a current mobility card
  • Over or within one metre of a vehicle entrance
  • On a footpath, cycle lane, flush median or traffic island
  • On a broken yellow line or double parked
  • Any other parking offence

Parking wardens may also issue infringement notices if your vehicle does not meet legal requirements. For example:

  • Current evidence of vehicle inspection (WOF) is not displayed
  • A current licence (registration label) is not displayed
  • Your vehicle has a worn, smooth or damaged tyre
  • Your vehicle has unauthorised, deceptive or obscured licence plates or an unauthorised licence

Infringement notices will show:

  • Details of your vehicle
  • Date and time infringement was issued
  • Location where vehicle was parked at the time
  • Alleged offence
  • Fee payable
  • Notes to defendant are 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:

  • Pay online via credit card or account-to-account transfer
  • Cash or EFTPOS at Whakatāne or Murupara offices

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 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 online, with any evidence to support your explanation, such as a WOF receipt or registration.

If the Council has written to you explaining that they did not accept your explanation, these options are available to you:

  1. Pay the infringement fee without any additional charges
  2. 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 this option is only available to you if you plead guilty but feel you have a good reason that may excuse you
  3. 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 (option 2 above) or are found guilty (option 3 above) of the charge, the court will order you to pay the fine and any other costs ordered by the court.