Popular Auckland marine reserve Goat Island the next site for paid parking

Paid parking will be introduced Auckland's popular marine reserve Goat Island in Leigh, the Department of Conservation (DOC) says.

It followed [https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/community/653578/more-paid-parking-at-south-island-tourist-sites-after-trial-raises-1-point-5-million paid parking being introduced at three popular South Island tourist destinations - Punakaiki, Franz Josef and Aoraki Mt Cook.

DOC said paid parking was a tool used globally to support conservation by managing visitor numbers and generating revenue to contribute to the financial sustainability of popular natural and historic sites.

Its Auckland Operations Director Alex Roger, said Goat Island was one of DOC's most popular sites.

"International visitors and kiwis flock to the site in summer, connecting with a flourishing underwater world. We love seeing the place full, but it does put huge pressure on the three car park areas, toilet and changing block, and wider area."

Paid parking was aimed to be introduced in December, Rogers said and would help manage congestion, encourage turnover of the limited car parks available, and raise revenue for conservation.

The revenue would be reinvested into regional and national conservation areas, he said.

"In August we're engaging with the local community to get feedback on the pricing structure, and working on defining the boundary of local catchment area as those within it will be able to apply for annual permits, we want to make sure we get those things right."

Feedback on the pricing structure would close in September and the final pricing structure would be released in October, DOC said.