About this project

The Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2021 was adopted by the Wellington City Council (the Council) in August 2021 and is now under review as required by the Local Government Act 2002 (LGA 2002).

There are three different Council tools which manage traffic and parking for the city – the Bylaw, the Parking Policy 2020, and Traffic Resolutions.

For this review, it is only the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2021 that is being considered, but it is important to understand how it fits within the bigger picture.

The Bylaw provides the regulatory and enforcement mechanism for the Council in traffic and parking matters. It enables the Council to legally control parking and traffic on roads and parking areas through prohibitions, restrictions, conditions, and offences. The Bylaw does not prescribe where or when controls apply – Traffic Resolutions do.

Traffic Resolutions are the implementation tool. They apply specific, location-based parking and traffic controls to the city – i.e., time limits, no stopping, special vehicle lanes. These resolutions are made under the authority of the Bylaw and must be consistent with it.

The Parking Policy 2020 is an inter-related but separate document that sets the strategic direction and decision-making principles for how Council manages all Council-controlled parking. It establishes objectives, a parking space hierarchy, area-based management approaches, and guidance on pricing and allocation of parking supply. It does not create enforceable rules, and it does not override the Bylaw.

The Bylaw must be used alongside national legislation – particularly the Land Transport Act 1998 (LTA 1998) and the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004, which regulate traffic behaviour and establish infringement regimes.

About this engagement

The proposed amendments (shown in detail in the consultation document) include:

  • Clarifying definitions and alignment with national rules
    Updating and clarifying definitions (for example, relating to cycles, footpaths, shared paths, and permits) to better align with the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 and current practice.
  • Improving workability and enforceability
    Removing or amending provisions that are difficult to enforce in practice (such as certain time‑based parking provisions and distance‑based rules) and clarifying how electronic permits and payments operate.
  • Parking management updates
    Refining provisions relating to residents’ parking, permit parking, motorcycles and trailers, oversize vehicles, and long‑term parking of motorhomes and similar vehicles.
  • Vehicle use and road activities
    Clarifying controls for shared paths, shared use zones, cruising, engine braking, unformed legal roads, and beaches.
  • Drafting and legislative updates
    Updating references to repealed or replaced legislation, improving plain‑English drafting, and removing redundant clauses.

The proposed amendments are intended to be targeted and incremental. They do not introduce new policy directions but are designed to ensure the bylaw continues to function effectively and fairly.

Let us know what you think about the proposed amendments to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2021. This consultation closes at 5pm, 25 June 2026.

To have your say about the proposed 2026 amendments to the Traffic and Parking Bylaw 2021 you can:

Feedback form

We’re keen to hear your thoughts on the draft amendments.

Before answering the questions on this submission form, please read through the consultation document.

Feedback entered into this form will be shared with the project team to help shape the final project design. Project team members will have access to feedback in their capacity as Council employees.

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Please have your say by 5pm 25 June 2026.