Free parking on Saturdays is to be trialled in New Plymouth's central city over the next 12 months, costing the council $500,000 in lost revenue.
Photo: RNZ/Robin Martin
The decision aims to attract shoppers to the central city, and was made last night when the council adopted its annual plan.
It follows a shorter trial which showed car-park occupancy rose 20 percent and the average stay increased from 31 to 51 minutes.
There will still be a two-hour limit.
The annual plan set a rates rise of 3.6 percent for New Plymouth residents and includes $37 million spending on capital projects.