Finding Affordable Parking In New Zealand City Centres

We’ve got Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane covered, but what if you’re travelling to New Zealand? We don’t have a presence there yet, but we know how challenging city parking can be. Until we expand into New Zealand, here’s how to find affordable, reliable parking options in these three major cities. Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch are the most populous and most visited cities in New Zealand, so if you’re a local with your own vehicle, or a tourist with a rental, here’s all you need to know about parking in each of the CBDs. All prices listed are current as of October 2025.

Auckland

As New Zealand’s busiest city, finding parking—especially in the CBD—can be challenging, so there are several options to consider.

Auckland Transport Parking Auckland Transport (AT) has designated street parking across the city. It’s separated into five zones, with Zone 1 covering the CBD. Parking can be paid for in two ways: by coins at the meter or via the AT App. Rates in Zone 1 are $6.50 per hour for the first two hours, then $11.50 per hour after that, with the first 10 minutes free. These parking spots are ideal for short-term use. Parking prices get lower in other zones, as you move away from the CBD. If you’re looking for all-day parking, AT also operates open-air lots; there are five in the CBD and 13 across the suburbs. Rates start from $10.50 per day in the CBD. Downtown Car Park is also operated by AT and has almost 2,000 spots near the waterfront. It’s open from 6 am to 1 am on weekdays and 6 am to midnight on weekends. Rates are $6 per hour to a maximum of $15.50. People visiting the Aotea Arts Quarter can find convenient parking at the Civic Car Park, which is open from 6 am to 1 am on weekdays and until 3 am on Fridays and Saturdays. The rate is $5.50 per hour to a maximum charge of $24.50.

Commercially Run Car Parks

Britomart is conveniently located at the waterfront and provides parking for people heading out to lunch or dinner in that area. Pricing begins at $6 per half hour and goes up to $66 for the day. Arena Car Park is a covered parking area in the CBD next to Spark Arena and is ideal for anyone attending a show there. It’s open 24/7 and charges begin at $6 per half hour.

Shopping Centres and the Casino

Commercial Bay Shopping Centre on the waterfront has undercover parking available from 6 am to 6 pm and costs $5.50 per hour on weekdays and $2 per hour on weekends. For short-term parking in the Auckland CBD, Sky City Casino has almost 2,000 spots, and they’re not exclusively reserved for guests. At $16 per hour, it’s a premium option but highly convenient for quick stops, especially in that part of the CBD. This isn’t limited to Auckland; check out the list of NZ casinos to find one in your city. Just like we offer ways to connect drivers with available car spots in Australia, Parkable does a similar thing in NZ. While we connect private individuals with available spots, Parkable links drivers to available spaces in workplaces, commercial buildings and some public parking lots. Download the app and take it from there.

Wellington

New Zealand’s capital, Wellington, on the southern tip of the North Island, is a popular tourist destination. If you’ve been driving around the island, you’ll need to know the parking situation in Wellington. It’s pretty straightforward.

Wellington Council Parking

Coin-operated and digital-payment parking meters are located throughout the city centre and operate from 8 am to 8 pm. It’s a flat rate of $5 per hour and can be paid using your smartphone via the PayMyPark app. Parking is free outside those hours. There are two covered council car parks in Wellington CBD, Clifton Car Park and Tory Street Car Park. They’re open from 5:30 am until 12:30 am, and the rate is $5.50 per hour. There are five waterfront car parks, some covered and some open-air. They’re all open at 8 am and close around 5 pm; the rates are $5 per hour.

Commercial Car Parks in Wellington

Wilson Parking operates five car parks in the Wellington CBD, and the rates begin at $3 per half hour if parking on the rooftop. Prime Parking has four car parks across the CBD, with rates of $3 per half hour; you can pay via the ParknGo app. The Hope Gibbons car park in the CBD is one of Wellington’s best-kept secrets (until now). It’s centrally located right on Taranaki Street. Rates start at a low $2 per half hour, or you can get an early-bird rate of $16 for the entire day if you arrive before 10 am.

Christchurch

Christchurch is the gateway to New Zealand’s South Island and is the spot most people arrive at to collect their rental vehicle. Knowing where to park helps make your first few days more relaxed.

Christchurch City Council

The council operates meters all over the CBD, and you can pay by coin, credit or debit card or via the PayMyPark app. The rate is $5 per hour. Some areas have a 60-minute maximum period, so check that before parking your vehicle. Christchurch City Council also has nine covered parking stations scattered across the CBD and numerous open-air spaces available. It’s a flat rate of $4.50 for the first two hours and $2 per hour to a maximum of $20 per day.

Commercial Car Parking in Christchurch

Wilson Parking has the monopoly in Christchurch and operates 10 sites in the CBD, starting at $3.50 per half hour and offering early-bird day rates of $16 if you park before 10 am.