Bring the buzz: Free parking for 6 weeks.
We're offering šfreeš parking for the next six weeks to help keep our Central Business District buzzing.
At an emergency meeting yesterday Councillors unanimously decided to cancel all parking charges in Council-owned parking spaces for up to six weeks starting Monday 14 March 2022.
āIt's time to mask up, scan in, use sanitiser, and support local businesses" says Mayor Sheryl Mai, "They need us and we need them. Let's pull through this together and we can all rebuild in the good times that lie ahead."
āBusinesses that rely on foot traffic have been doing it hard during the COVID pandemic and in the past two weeks especially, the central city has seen fewer people."
Parking will be free in all of Councilās off-street carparks, on-road metered parking spaces, the John Street Carparking Building and the John and James Street carparks managed for Council by Wilsons Parking.
āš We can't turn our mechanical "lollipop" meters off, so donāt put money in them unless you're feeling reeeallly generous.
Our ticket dispensers and MPark (our online parking) will be shut off during the campaign, and there will signage posted to support this message.
We are also asking people to play fair ā this initiative is to get people back to positive routines of shopping local, eating from our lovely local food businesses and enjoying our public spaces. If you work in town, please park where you normally would and leave the parks outside your shop for customers.
Our wardens will still be out there checking that people move on after the allotted time and ticketing where necessary ā the idea is to keep things moving, bring the buzz, inject energy and life as people come in, go about their business and head off again.
Our contribution is the equivalent of about $240,000 in lost parking income, but we reckon visitors will spend that and much more at local businesses.
Poll: As a customer, what do you think about automation?
The Press investigates the growing reliance on your unpaid labour.
Automation (or the āunpaid shiftā) is often described as efficient ... but it tends to benefit employers more than consumers.
We want to know: What do you think about automation?
Are you for, or against?
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9.4% For. Self-service is less frustrating and convenient.
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43.4% I want to be able to choose.
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47.2% Against. I want to deal with people.
Time to Tickle Your Thinker š§
If a zookeeper had 100 pairs of animals in her zoo, and two pairs of babies are born for each one of the original animals, then (sadly) 23 animals donāt survive, how many animals do you have left in total?
Do you think you know the answer? Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm on the day!
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Have you got New Zealand's best shed? Show us and win!
Once again, Resene and NZ Gardener are on the hunt for New Zealandās best shed! Send in the photos and the stories behind your man caves, she sheds, clever upcycled spaces, potty potting sheds and colourful chicken coops. The Resene Shed of the Year 2026 winner receives $1000 Resene ColorShop voucher, a $908 large Vegepod Starter Pack and a one-year subscription to NZ Gardener. To enter, tell us in writing (no more than 500 words) why your garden shed is New Zealandās best, and send up to five high-quality photos by email to mailbox@nzgardener.co.nz. Entries close February 23, 2026.
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