Drivers in Wellington are getting free parking thanks to a technical glitch affecting meters across the city.
An error means Wellington's pay and display machines are wrongly telling motorists it's a public holiday and parking is free. Photo: RNZ / Rosie Gordon
An error means pay and display machines are wrongly telling motorists it's a public holiday and parking is free.
The Wellington City Council is having to let people park for free without getting a ticket, but only until machines are fixed.
"It is likely to be free for the rest of the day but if we get it fixed by, say, 3pm people will have to start paying," Wellington City Council spokesperson Richard MacLean said.
The Council was working to get machines back up and running as soon as possible.
In the meantime, motorists were urged not to take advantage of the situation.
"Our message, apart from the fact it's a little unintentional freebie from the WCC, is that you shouldn't take the opportunity to try and park up all day," MacLean said.
The PayMyPark App wrongly told users paid parking would not resume until tomorrow.
"It depends entirely on how fast they can fix the glitch," MacLean said.
Wellingtonians took to social media to celebrate the news.
"Thank you so much! Appreciate the glitch today! Very kind on my wallet," one user wrote.
"Wellington City Council if you could kindly delay repairs indefinitely that'll be great," another said.
Time limits on parks still apply and motorists could still be ticketed for overstaying.
Wellington City Council is to update its social media when parking machines are back in action.