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Parking paradise in Whakatane - Source: Fair Go -
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Reporter: Libby Middlebrook
Whakatane is best known for its rumbling marine volcano, but this
Bay of Plenty town has one other unusual claim to fame.
It's parking.
That's right, parking at the heart of the town is absolutely free,
and it's considered a fairly major scandal if you can't find a park
right outside the shop you want to visit.
"That will be people's biggest gripe, I want to park here, and I
want to stay as long as i like outside the shop I'm going to, or
the doctors," says parking warden Debbie Mason.
The city employs two parking wardens full time to manage areas with
restricted parking.
But nobody can remember the last time anyone got towed over a
parking infringement.
It's no surprise really, when you get to meet the meet the only
towie in town - Wally Sutherland.
He's been in the business for 57 years, but he'd rather do salvage
or roadside rescue work any day, than have to tow a car without
permission from the owner.
"We don't enjoy that because you feel sorry for the people," Wally
says.
Anyway, there's no excuse for being towed around here. The council
even shifted a building off a site to make way for another free
carpark.
But Whakatane isn't entirely free of parking metres. There's one
machine, right outside the library and council buildings.
But it's still a bargain to park there. Just over two bucks a
day.
