DOC Parking Charges at Pancake Rocks Leaves Kiwis Paying Twice

The New Zealand Taxpayers’ Union is calling out the Department of Conservation for introducing paid parking at Punakaiki’s iconic Pancake Rocks, saying the trial is not 'user pays', but gouging domestic travellers to visit our national parks.

Taxpayers’ Union Investigations Coordinator, Rhys Hurley, said:

“We already have a tourism levy that’s supposed to fund these exact places, plus additional taxpayer funding on top. So why are Kiwis now being hit with another charge just to park their car?”

“This isn’t about conservation, it’s about treating New Zealanders like walking wallets in their own country. DOC is double-dipping and locals are getting stung.”

"If DOC needs more money, it should look at how it spends its existing revenue. Their headcount exploded by 37 percent between 2017 and 2023, so is punishing families for stopping to admire a view the best option?”

"Scrap the parking charges, cut the backroom bureaucracy and stop punishing people for visiting when they’ve already paid for it."