The infringement notice process is set out in various statutes, (Transport Act 1962 and the Summary Proceedings Act 1957). These Acts detail the way in which infringement notices may be served and the administrative process relating to each notice.
Parking Enforcement Officers may issue infringement notices when they believe that the user of a motor vehicle has committed one of a number of offences as listed on this page. Parking offences are also detailed in the official New Zealand Road Code.
The officer may attach the ticket, or a copy, to the vehicle by placing it under the windscreen wiper of the vehicle. The officer may also hand the ticket to the driver or person in charge of the vehicle or, post it to the last known registered owner's address. It is then deemed to have been legally served.
The matter must be settled no later than 28 days after the ticket was issued. If the infringement fee is paid within the 28 days after the issue of the notice no further proceedings will be taken.
If you wish to deny the offence, or give an explanation as to why you committed the offence, you must contact the Council, in writing, within the 28 days. You can use this explanation form. You may also choose to have the matter heard in Court. If the matter isn't settled in some way within the 28 days a reminder notice will be sent to the registered owner of the vehicle.
If, after another 28 days, the matter still hasn't been settled, the issuing authority will usually lodge the matter with the Court as an unpaid infringement fee. It then becomes a matter for the Department for Courts. Additional costs are added to the original fine.
Options you have
- A brief summary of rights and obligations are provided on the back of the infringement notice.
- If the fine is paid within 28 days no further action will be taken.
- If you wish to offer an explanation, deny the offence and request a court hearing, or admit the offence but make written submissions to the Court for consideration, you must write to the Authority that issued the infringement notice.
The Council usually makes one of the following decisions
- Cancels the infringement notice and fine, but issues a warning.
- Requests more information to assist in a decision.
- Rejects your explanation and requires you to pay the fine.
If your explanation is not accepted you will be sent a letter outlining any further options you may have before the matter is lodged in the Court.
Paying a Parking Fine
Payment can be made at the Rotorua District Council Office. You will need to either produce the original infringement notice to the cashier, or inform the cashier of the registration number of the vehicle.
Payment can be made by cheque directly to the cashier, or by post to the address shown on the infringement notice. If you are sending payment by mail, please include the infringement notice, or quote the infringement notice number and registration number of the vehicle. Please do not send a cheque without details, as we will not be able to match it up to an infringement, a surname is not enough as the vehicle may not be registered in this persons name.
Payment can be made using either an EFTPOS card or credit card, either over the counter, or by phone. As in all cases, when making payment please supply the original infringement, or the infringement number. If neither of the above can be supplied, please supply the details of the vehicle involved.