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Critical services permits Critical services permits

Critical services permits help organisations get parking in critical and emergency situations, so they can deliver their services. The permit exempts the bearer from on-street parking charges and most time restrictions.

On this page:

About critical services permits

AT's parking strategy contains a policy for issuing parking permits, with clear criteria to ensure permits are only issued to organisations that require them to carry out important or critical work.

Permit allocation

The key principles guiding the allocation of critical services parking permits are:

  • Parking permits will assist critical services to carry out their various functions.
  • Parking permits will not be used by staff to park close to their place of work.
  • Parking permits will offer convenience but not an exemption from cost of parking.
  • All permits will be priced.
  • Permits are electronic. Each permit will be linked to a vehicle’s registration.

Cost

A critical services permit costs $105 per quarter.

Eligibility

Critical services permits will only be issued to organisations that need to access parking while carrying out critical or emergency work.

The permit has 4 sub-categories, with different eligibility criteria:

1. Emergency services

  • Emergency services (police, ambulance, fire) attending emergency situations in an unmarked vehicle.
  • Vehicles must be registered to and/or part of an emergency services fleet.

2. Critical healthcare services

  • Healthcare organisations that are registered with a District Health Board and provide a critical or emergency service.
  • Vehicles should be registered to the healthcare organisation’s fleet. Alternatively, supporting documentation must be provided to show that the vehicle is used for this type of service.

3. Critical non-profit, community support services

  • Registered non-profit, community support organisations that can demonstrate they require a permit to carry out their community service.
  • Vehicles should be registered to the community organisation’s fleet. Alternatively, supporting documentation must be provided to show that the vehicle is used for this type of service.

4. Emergency infrastructure

  • Emergency infrastructure repair companies that respond to emergency situations and can demonstrate there is no alternative to parking in a time restricted or paid parking area to carry out their work.
  • The vehicle contains specialist equipment or tools that the contractor must return frequently to the vehicle to use.
  • Vehicles must be registered to the company.
  • Vehicles must have the company name/symbol prominently displayed on the vehicle.
  • AT may cap the number of permits issued to each company.

Apply for a Critical services permit

Before you apply, you will need to register for AT Park, which you set up through MyAT.

Complete your application - you can save it, to complete at another time.​

  1. Log in to your AT Park account through MyAT
  2. From the left-hand menu, choose Critical services permits
  3. Complete the application form - you can include up to 20 vehicles in one application.

We will contact you within 10 working days of receiving your application to let you know if your permit has been approved.

Payment options

  • AT Park payment
  • Account2Account Payment
    This payment option is currently only available for customers of these banks: ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB, Westpac.
  • Cheque
    From 2021 all major New Zealand banks have stopped issuing and accepting cheques as a method of payment.
    As a result, Auckland Transport no longer accept cheques. See our other ways to pay or contact your bank for help.
  • Cash
    Cash payments are not accepted.

Terms and conditions

  • A critical services parking permit is only valid for use during a critical or emergency situation.
  • A critical services parking permit is issued against the registration number of a vehicle.
  • Each permit covers one vehicle. Additional vehicles, eg trailers, require a separate permit.
  • The permit does not apply to loading zones. Vehicles parked in loading zones must comply with time restrictions.
  • The permit does not apply to P2, P5, P10 or P15 time restrictions.
  • The permit does not apply to prohibited parking areas such as broken yellow lines, clearways, bus stops, taxi stands or mobility parking bays.
  • The permit does not apply where a temporary traffic management plan is in place.
  • The permit does not guarantee the availability of any parking space. All parking operates on a 'first in, first served' basis.
  • The permit cannot be used to reserve any parking space.
  • The permit cannot be used in a vehicle that is parked for the primary use of advertising or promotion.
  • The permit cannot be used for the direct or indirect purpose of revenue generation.
  • Any abuse of the terms and conditions may result in future applications being refused.
  • AT reserves the right to revoke the permit at any time.

Warning

Do not enter your credit card number, bank account number, or any other personal financial information.