Department of Conservation Paid Parking Permit Terms and Conditions

Definitions and Notes

DOC has outsourced the management of its paid car parks to a third-party supplier. The supplier also provides and manages the permit system. This is an online system which allows users to purchase and manage digital permits.

• DOC: The Department of Conservation.
  
  
• DOC Car Park: Any car park managed or maintained by DOC including those where management is outsourced to a third party.
  
  
• Car park: The full parking area at a location, consisting of many individual car park spaces.
  
  
• Concession Contract: A formal agreement between DOC and a commercial operator authorizing specific activities on Public Conservation Land.
  
  
• Permit Holder: The individual or organization to whom the permit is issued.
  
  
• Private Passenger Vehicle: A vehicle designed for personal use, excluding buses, coaches, and commercial transport vehicles.
  
  
• Supplier: The company responsible for the operation and management of DOC paid car parks. This is Stellar.
  
  
• Permit online platform: A website where users can purchase and manage permits. This website is setup and run by Stellar.  

1. General Terms (Applicable to All Permit Types)

1.1 Permit Validity
Permits are valid from the date of issue until the specified end date for that permit type. This is stated in the confirmation email sent to the user upon activation of the permit. A vehicle licence plate must be loaded to the permit via the online platform to be valid.  

1.2 Permit Use
Permits grant exemption from daily parking fees at designated DOC car parks. They do not guarantee a parking space and are subject to availability.

1.3 Vehicle Registration and User Account
A user account must be created to obtain a permit. Permits are non-transferrable between individuals or concessionaires. It is the permit holder’s responsibility to ensure that the licence plate details of their vehicle(s) are accurate and up to date in their account prior to parking. If the account holder no longer owns a vehicle, they must remove that licence plate from the permit in the online platform.

1.4 Compliance with Site Rules
Use of the permit implies acceptance of DOC regulations and of the car park terms and conditions. These can be found on signage at the car parks.

1.5 False Information
Providing false or misleading information during the application process will result in cancellation of the permit. No refunds will be given if a permit is cancelled.

1.6 Privacy
The supplier collects personal information for the purpose of managing parking permits. This includes vehicle registration, name, address, email and phone number. The supplier collects and stores information in accordance with supplier privacy statement

DOC may use this personal information for the purpose of compliance monitoring and investigations. DOC handles personal information in accordance with the DOC privacy statement.  

1.7 Payments

a)       All prices are in New Zealand dollars and include GST (Goods and Services Tax).

b)       Full payment is required at time of purchase.

c)       Permit prices are reviewed regularly, are subject to change, and changes may not be notified in advance.

2. Permit-Specific Terms

2.1 Local Resident Permit ($10/year per vehicle)

a)       Permits are valid for 365 days after purchase unless otherwise stated.

b)       Available to individuals residing within designated district boundaries based on the selected car park.

c)       Permit is valid for the car park(s) listed on the permit application and in the confirmation email and cannot be used interchangeably across car parks at other DOC locations if not listed on the permit.

d)       Proof of residence (e.g., utility bill) must be provided at the time of application.

e)       Each vehicle must be used primarily by an individual residing at the address on the permit.

f)        Only one licence plate can be registered to a permit at any one time unless otherwise stated. Users can update the licence plate loaded to the permit up to 3 times per year.

g)       There is no limit to the number of permits a household can apply for, but each vehicle requires a separate permit.

h)       Valid only for private passenger vehicles (e.g., cars, SUVs, utes, motorbikes). Not valid for coaches, buses, or commercial vehicles. Commercial operators can apply for a commercial partner permit, as outlined in section 2.3.

i)         Overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles is strictly prohibited unless a separate camping booking is held.

2.2 General Public Permit ($60/year)

a)       Permits are valid for 365 days after purchase unless otherwise stated.

b)       Available to all users regardless of geographic location.

c)       Permit is valid for the car park(s) listed on the permit application and in the confirmation email and cannot be used interchangeably across car parks at other DOC locations if not listed on the permit.

d)       Only one licence plate can be registered to a permit at any one time unless otherwise stated. Users can update the licence plate loaded to the permit up to 3 times per year.

e)       There is no limit to the number of permits a user can purchase, but each vehicle requires a separate permit.

f)        Valid only for private passenger vehicles (e.g., cars, SUVs, utes, motorbikes). Not valid for coaches, buses, or commercial vehicles. Commercial operators can apply for a commercial partner permit, as outlined in section 2.3.

g)       Overnight camping or sleeping in vehicles is strictly prohibited unless a separate camping booking is held.

2.3 Commercial Partner Permit ($0 until June 2026)

a)       Permits are valid until the 30 June the following year unless otherwise stated.

b)       DOC may, at its discretion, extend the validity of Commercial Partner Permits beyond the standard expiry date of 30 June. Unless otherwise stated, any such extension will be for a period of 12 months. Permit holders will be notified of any extension via the email associated with their DOC account, and updated permit details will be reflected in the online platform. Extensions will only be granted when all other terms are met including those around the concession contract between the commercial partner and DOC.

c)       Available only to DOC concession holders with a valid concession contract. Commercial tourism operators without a concession must apply for one from DOC. For more information, visit www.doc.govt.nz/other-permissions-activities.

d)       To be eligible for a Commercial Partner Permit, the permit holder must hold a valid concession contract with DOC in which the location specified in Schedule 1 of the contract matches a DOC site where paid parking is implemented.

e)       Permit is valid for the car park(s) listed on the permit application and in the confirmation email and cannot be used interchangeably across car parks at other DOC locations if not listed on the permit.

f)        Permit is valid only when the user is conducting the authorized activity at the authorised location as listed in the concession contract.

Example: If the authorized activity is a guided walk on the Hooker Valley Track, the permit is only valid for parking at the Hooker Valley/ White Horse Hill car park during the time of that activity.

g)       It is the commercial operator’s responsibility to upload evidence of a new concession contract into their DOC account and update the expiry date of their contract.

h)       There is no limit to the number of licence plates which can be registered to a permit at any one time. There is no limit to the number of times users can update the licence plates loaded to the permit.

3. Revocation and Enforcement

3.1 Breach of Terms

a)       Local resident and general public permits

DOC reserves the right to revoke any permit without notice if:

·         The permit is used outside its intended scope.

·         The permit holder breaches the permit terms and conditions or the parking terms and conditions on display at site.

·         False information was provided during application.

b)       Commercial partner permits

DOC reserves the right to revoke any permit without notice if:

·         False information was provided during the application.

·         The permit holder does not hold a valid concession contract for the appropriate location(s), specifically where the location listed in Schedule 1 of the concession contract does not align with a DOC site where paid parking is implemented.

If a concessionaire or staff using a concessionaire permit breaches the permit terms and conditions or the parking terms and conditions on display at site, their concession contract with DOC may be terminated.

3.2 Permit Compliance

DOC will use data collected by the supplier, including personal information from the online permit platform and LPR camera data from the car park cameras, to support compliance investigations. This includes investigations into suspected breaches of conservation laws, concession conditions, permit conditions or other regulatory requirements. This includes identifying vehicles associated with non-compliant activity or verifying compliance with parking permits or concession permit terms.

3.3 Appeals and Complaints

Permit holders may appeal revocations or lodge complaints by contacting DOC 0800 ASK DOC (0800 275 362) or info@doc.govt.nz.

3.4 Refunds

a)       No refunds will be given if a permit is terminated or cancelled by either the account holder or DOC for any reason.

b)       No refunds will be given if the user purchases the incorrect permit type.