Stuff Digital Edition

Parking perk easy for some

Julie Jacobson julie.jacobson@stuff.co.nz

As Wellington City Council pushes on with removing swathes of on-street car parks and commuters are urged to favour sustainable transport options, councillors are still provided a free car park – as a perk of their job.

The city’s transport woes are a continuing frustration for the estimated 82,000 people who travel into the central city on typical weekday morning.

Exacerbating the problem has been the rollout of the city-wide cycle network – and the resulting loss of car parking space – and the cancellation of hundreds of scheduled bus services each day due to a national driver shortage.

Yet, while many just have to grin and bear the peak hour madness, it appears elected representatives councillors have a considerably easier time of it, not least those who commute by private vehicle.

The Post asked how they got to work on Census Day, March 7, and if it was their usual mode of transport.

Several are lucky enough to live within walking distance, so it was a short trek by foot to the council offices on The Terrace, where 18 car parks are set aside on the 5th floor for councillor use.

Those who live further out chose a mix of either bus, train or car. Only one, deputy mayor and Paekawakawa/Southern Ward councillor Laurie Foon, biked – which she does every day.

Mayor Tory Whanau, who walked in on Census Day, usually uses her council-supplied EV, to avoid being held up or yelled at passers-by. She owns a Mercedes, which is ‘‘parked up at a friend’s’’.

Council spokesperson Victoria Barton-Chapple said free car parking was provided for under the elected member allowances and entitlements policy. Three – deputy mayor Laurie Foon and councillors Tim Brown and Iona Pannett – ‘‘didn’t want’’ car parks, she said.

The Post understands some parks are used by family members. However, no data is kept on their usage.

Christchurch mayor Phil Mauger usually travels by car – a Hyundai powered by hydrogen – to work from his home in Avonhead.

He uses his own vehicle for council business and to travel to meetings, but doesn’t claim for mileage or other costs.

Like Wellington, elected members in Christchurch are allocated a car park at work. One councillor, SaraTempleton, has given up her car park – it’s been reallocated for e-bikes – and commutes most days by bike or bus.

Auckland mayor Wayne Brown’s office was also approached for comment but did not respond.

Tory Whanau (mayor)

On Census Day walked from her home in the city centre and walked to several other meetings on the day. However, more often than not she will drive in, in her council-supplied EV, which she also uses to get to meetings and appointments. ‘‘I drive more often as people stop me and I end up late for meetings. Plus people are becoming bold enough to start yelling at me on the street. So there’s that, too.’’

‘‘I drive more often as people stop me and I end up late for meetings.’’ Tory Whanau, mayor

John Apanowicz (Takapū/ Northern Ward)

Was working from home on March 7, but usually commutes in private car from Ohariu Valley. Drives a Model 3 Tesla and parks at the council three days a week. He charges the Tesla at his off-grid property for most of the year and at Johnsonville Tesla station when needed. He doesn’t use council charging stations.

Laurie Foon (Paekawakawa/ Southern Ward, deputy mayor)

Rode electric bike from Berhampore. She also used it to

Tim Brown (Motukairangi/ Eastern Ward)

Walked from Mt Victoria, as he always does. Doesn’t use an office car park, occasionally uses the bike locker.

Iona Pannett (Pukehı¯nau/ Lambton Ward)

Like her colleague, walked to work from Mt Victoria. She doesn’t have a driver’s licence and has never used office parking space.

Tony Randle (Takapū/ Northern Ward)

Drove to work from Johnsonville. He owns a second-hand Honda sedan.

Sarah Free (Motukairangi/ Eastern Ward)

Shared a ride, by car. She has one vehicle, a plug-in hybrid Mitsubishi. On March 7, she walked or rode an e-bike to appointments around the city.

Ray Chung (Wharangi/ Onslow-Western Ward)

Caught the bus, as he does every day, from Broadmeadows. Keeps a motorbike at work as backup, in case of bus cancellations following night meetings.

Nureddin Abdurahman (Paekawakawa/Southern Ward)

Drove to work, from the eastern suburbs. He has 2011 Toyota Prius (hybrid), which he parks at work.

Teri O’Neill (Motukairangi/ Eastern Ward)

Couldn’t remember how she got to work on Census Day, but thinks she likely caught the bus from the eastern suburbs.

Rebecca Matthews Wharangi/Onslow-Western Ward)

Got a lift from her home in Ngaio in a hybrid and took a train home. She doesn’t have a licence.

Ben McNulty (Takapū/ Northern Ward)

Was pretty sure it was a train from Johnsonville. Takes public transport and drives (30/70 split). Uses the car park at work on the days he drives in.

Tamatha Paul (Pukehı¯nau/ Lambton Ward)

Bussed to work from inner suburbs, which she does regularly.

Nı¯kau Wi Neera (Te Whanganui-a-Tara Māori Ward)

Was on leave on March 7, but typically walks to work and takes the bus home. Lives in the inner suburbs.

Diane Calvert (Wharangi/ Onslow-Western Ward)

Drove from Khandallah and also used vehicle to travel between other locations for work on the day. Her car is ‘‘fuel-efficient, mini-size [and] secondhand’’.

Nicola Young (Pukehı¯nau/ Lambton Ward)

Did not respond.

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2023-06-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-01T07:00:00.0000000Z

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