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Hi there,

Could you please give me some advice on whether I have a case for appealing an unfair parking ticket issued by Hamilton City Council?

I travelled to Hamilton recently and amongst my tasks booked a Warrant of Fitness check when I was there for a due WOF. I needed a new tyre at first WOF check and booked the car in for another WOF appointment, the next available appointment, the next day for repair.

My Registration expires around the same time but was told when I tried to renew it, I had to wait till the tyre was replaced and WOF was re-issued in the Land Transport New Zealand system.

While I was completing tasks that same day I parked in Hamilton Central shopping area and was issued with a parking ticket by Hamilton City Council for the expired Registration.
I wrote in to Hamilton City Council saying I was prevented by the LTNZ system from getting Registration while WOF tyre repair was made and processed.
The Hamilton City Council must have seen the car was in the LTNZ system at the time and that I was not just avoiding my responsibilities.
I explained the WOF was in the LTNZ system and while I had tried I was prevented from being able to renew Registration until tyre was replaced and WOF re-issued the next day, which I did.

My question is do I have grounds to appeal this ticket?

If I am prevented from getting a new Registration by the LTNZ system until WOF re-issued, can I be legally be held responsible for Registration when I am in the LTNZ system on forced hold during that time?
The LTNZ system allows for fair time to make WOF repair.
Is it fair or legal to be able to be fined for Registration by Hamilton City Council in that small period of time the LTNZ system has Registration on hold and you are unable to get it?
The Hamilton City Council parking wardens see the car registration number is undergoing WOF repair in their hand held computers right?

The Hamilton City Council has access to the LTNZ system and can check the car was indeed in the LTNZ system at the time right?

All help appreciated. Do I have grounds to appeal this ticket?

Thanks

It’s worth appealing as many councils will waive the infringement if the rego is renewed promptly (provided it had not expired for more than a month or so). It’s worth finding out if Hamilton City Council have a similar waiver policy.

To avoid this scenario occurring in future, be sure to renew your rego before the WoF expires. Regos can be renewed up to and including the day a WoF expires, but not after, and you can always renew for a shorter period (even 1 month) to make the cost more manageable.