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01 December 2025

AA Members’ parking experiences and views on parking management

Insights from AA Members on parking

Parking availability and how street space is allocated are becoming increasingly important as many local councils respond to growth, housing intensification, and planning reform.

In January 2026, the AA surveyed its Members to understand how they experience parking, how it affects their daily travel, and their views on parking provision and street space.

The findings highlight where parking works well, where pressures are increasing, and how Members’ view changes to parking across New Zealand.

The Vehicle Choices Survey had a response rate of 53% (2,000 responses from the 3,763 AA Members invited), with a margin of error of ±2.2%.

Key findings

What AA Members think about parking

Parking works well for most AA Members

Most AA Members have access to parking at home and do not face major constraints, although this differs significantly depending on where they live.

  • Nearly all AA Members (99%) have at least one vehicle in their household, and 6 out of 10 (60%) have two or more vehicles.
  • 9 out of 10 Members (89%) say they have enough off-street parking at home.
  • 7 out of 10 (70%) say it is easy to find on-street parking near their home.

Parking pressure is concentrated in central city areas

Experiences of parking differ sharply by location, with central city AA Members facing much greater constraints than those in suburban, town, or rural areas, particularly in larger urban centres.

  • Half of central city AA Members (50%) say streets near their home are regularly full, compared with just 6% of rural Members.
  • Only 6 out of 10 central city Members (56%) say on-street parking is easy to find, compared with nearly 9 out of 10 in towns (87%).
  • Central city Members are less likely to park in a private garage (35%) and more likely to rely on on-street parking (8%).

Parking issues that create safety and access problems are common, particularly in urban areas

While many AA Members do not experience issues, a substantial proportion report problems related to safety, access, and availability.

  • 4 out of 10 AA Members (41%) say they do not experience any parking issues near their home.
  • Around 1 in 3 (35%) say parked vehicles reduce visibility at intersections or are parked too close to driveways.
  • 1 in 4 (24%) say streets are regularly full, with little to no available parking.

Parking availability has worsened, especially for shopping

AA Members are much more likely to say parking has become harder rather than easier over time, particularly in retail areas.

  • Difficulty finding parking while shopping has increased across almost all parts of the country, not just in large cities. Nearly half of AA Members (49%) say parking while shopping has become harder in the past five years.
  • 3 out of 10 (28%) say parking at work has become harder, compared with 2 out of 10 (18%) for parking at home.
  • Very few Members (1–5%) say parking has become easier.

Parking constraints are resulting in people shopping elsewhere, driving less, and using other transport modes

While most AA Members have not changed how they travel, a substantial minority report adapting their behaviour due to difficulty finding parking.

  • More than half of AA Members (55%) say parking availability has not changed how they travel, while 45% report making at least one change.
  • Around 1 in 4 (23%) say they have changed where they shop, and 1 in 7 (14%) say they drive less often.
  • Difficulty finding parking has also moved Members to other modes, with 12% using public transport more, 10% walking more, and 5% cycling more. 4% getting lifts or riding as a passenger.

Mixed views on reducing parking for new housing

Most AA Members prefer new housing to include off-street parking, although there is conditional support for reduced parking in some contexts, particularly for those living in central cities.

  • Just over half of AA Members (52%) say it is rarely or never acceptable for new housing to have limited or no off-street parking.
  • Around 3 in 10 (31%) say reduced on-street parking for new housing developments can be acceptable where public transport is nearby.
  • 1 in 4 (25%) see limited parking being more acceptable in central city or town areas.

Parking remains the top priority in shopping areas, but alternatives have support

While on-street parking is the most common priority, many Members support reallocating space for other uses.

  • Just over half of AA Members (55%) say on-street parking should be prioritised when space is limited. This was more prioritised by AA Members with four or more vehicles (79%).
  • 3 out of 10 (30%) prioritise wider footpaths or public space, and around 1 in 4 (24%) prioritise bus lanes, with younger and central city Members more likely to want these prioritised.
  • 1 in 6 (16%) prioritise protected cycle lanes. Central city residents were more likely to want protected bike lanes prioritised (20%).

How easy is it to park at home?

Most AA Members have two or more cars in their household

Nearly all (99%) of AA Members had at least one vehicle in their household, with most households having multiple vehicles.

  • 4 out of 10 (39%) had one vehicle in their household available for regular use.
  • 6 out of 10 (60%) had two or more vehicles.

Overall, vehicle ownership is high across AA Members, but varies significantly by location and fuel type, with rural households much more likely to rely on multiple vehicles.

  • AA Members living in rural areas were more likely to have two or more vehicles (75%), compared with 37% in central city areas.
  • Households with only petrol or diesel vehicles were more likely to have multiple vehicles than those with at least one EV or hybrid.

Most AA Members park on their own property, with relatively few relying on on-street parking

Most AA Members park in private garages or driveways, with limited reliance on on-street parking near home.

  • Just over half of Members (51%) usually park at least one household vehicle in a private garage.
  • 4 in 10 Members (41%) park in a driveway or other private off‑street parking.
  • 4% usually park on unrestricted on-street parking.
  • 2% park in an apartment building, and very few rely on permit or time-limited parking.

Overall, most AA Members rely on private off-street parking, but access varies widely depending on location, age, and household vehicle numbers

  • AA Members in towns (58%) and rural areas (54%) were more likely to use a private garage than those in central city areas (35%). Auckland Members were also less likely to use a private garage (42%).
  • Central city Members were less likely to use driveways (37%) and more likely to use on-street parking (8%) than those in other areas (1% rural).
  •  Younger Members were less likely to park in a garage (28% aged 18–34) and more likely to use driveways (62%), compared with older Members (75% garage, 20% driveway among those aged 75+).
  •  Households with more vehicles were less likely to rely on garages (44% of those with three vehicles and 43% of those with four or more). Those with four or more vehicles were more likely to use driveways (51%), as well as unrestricted on-street parking (8% of those with three vehicles and 4% of those with four or more).

The majority of AA Members have enough off-street parking at home

The majority of AA Members report having sufficient space at home to park their vehicles.

We found that:

  • Nearly 9 in 10 AA Members (89%) say they have enough off‑street parking.
  • 1 in 10 (11%) say they do not have adequate parking.

Parking pressure is more common among younger households and those with more vehicles.

  • Younger AA Members were more likely to report insufficient parking (23% aged 18–34), rising to 31% among young women.
  • Only around 5% of Members aged 65+ reported not having enough parking.
  •  20% of Members in households with three vehicles said they did not have enough off-street parking.
  • AA Members in Otago (18%) and Auckland (15%) were more likely to say they didn’t have enough off-street parking for all their vehicles. 

Most AA Members say it is easy to find on-street parking near their home

The vast majority of AA Members do not struggle to find a park on the street near their home.

  • 7 in 10 Members (70%) say it is easy to find on‑street parking near their home.
  • Around 1 in 6 (17%) say it is difficult.
  • 1 in 10 (10%) found finding on-street parking neither easy nor difficult, and 3% had no parking available.  

While most AA Members find parking near home accessible, experiences differ depending on location and household characteristics.

  • AA Members in central city areas were less likely to say parking is easy (56%), compared with towns (87%), suburbs (68%), and rural areas (67%).
  • Members aged 55–64 were least likely to report parking as easy (56%).
  • Lower-income Members were less likely to report easy parking and more likely to report difficulty.
  • Members in one-vehicle households were less likely to report easy parking (66%) and more likely to report difficulty (20%) than those with multiple vehicles.
  • AA Members in Auckland (56%) were also less likely to say that finding on-street parking near home was easy, with nearly a third saying it was difficult (28%). 

Many AA Members experience parking issues near their home, particularly related to safety and availability

Parking issues at home are common, although a substantial proportion of Members report no problems.

  • 4 out of 10 Members (41%) say they do not experience any parking issues.
  • Around 1 in 3 (35%) report vehicles reducing visibility at intersections or being parked too close to driveways.
  • 1 in 4 (24%) say streets are regularly full with little to no available parking.
  • Around 1 in 4 (23%) report vehicles parked on berms.
  • 1 in 5 (19%) report vehicles parked on footpaths.
  • 1 in 10 (11%) report vehicles parked on yellow lines.

Overall, parking issues are widespread but are more prevalent in urban areas, particularly in central city locations.

  • Streets being full is much more common in central city areas (50%) than suburban (29%), town (10%), or rural areas (6%).
  • Safety-related issues are more common in central city and suburban areas, and less common in rural areas.
  •  Rural Members were most likely to report no issues (77%), compared with 32% in suburban and 20% in central city areas.
  •  Nearly half of AA Members in Auckland reported that parked vehicles reduced visibility at intersections (49%). Half also reported that vehicles parked too close to driveways (50%). They were also more likely to report streets being full with little or no available parking (42%). Just 26% said they had no parking issues near home.
  • Members in one-vehicle households were more likely to report streets being full (30%) than those with multiple vehicles (13–22%).
  • Members with more vehicles were more likely to report no issues (57–60%) than those with one vehicle (33%).
"I live in West Auckland. Areas I commute through have become congested with many many parked cars. I regularly encounter/see groups of cars parking on the grass in front of high density housing and clogging local roads down to one lane (if you are lucky).  These areas are typically home to families whose transport needs are not well-serviced by existing public transport - they typically have at least 2 cars per household so even if there is one space per townhouse a vehicle needs to be parked offsite somewhere.” - AA Member

How has parking availability changed over time?

Parking has become harder over time, especially when shopping

AA Members are far more likely to say parking has become harder rather than easier in recent years.

  • Nearly half of AA Members (49%) say parking while shopping has become harder.
  • 3 out of 10 (28%) say parking at work has become harder.
  • Around 2 out of 10 (18%) say parking at home has become harder.
  • Very few Members (1–5%) say parking has become easier.

Overall, parking is more likely to be seen as worsening in urban and suburban areas, while increasing difficulty when shopping is reported consistently across all locations.

  • Parking at home was more likely to be seen as having grown more difficult by those living in central city (25%) and suburban areas (23%), and those without enough off‑street parking (42%), compared with Members in town and rural areas (both around 5%). Members in Auckland also reported higher‑than‑average difficulty, with 32% saying parking near home had become harder.
  • Parking at work was more likely to be seen as harder by Members living in suburban (31%) and central city areas (30%) and was also reported by around a quarter of rural Members (25%), compared with 17% of Members in towns. Members in Auckland (32%), Nelson (32%), Otago (30%) and Hawkes Bay (30%) were more likely to say finding parks near work had become harder over time.
  • Parking while shopping has become harder for around half of AA Members (49%), with similarly high levels reported across central city, suburban, and town areas, suggesting the issue is widespread across locations. Members in Northland reported particularly high levels of worsening shopping‑related parking (58%), as did Members in Otago (57%), Waikato (56%) and Auckland (55%).
“Parking or lack of is absolutely shocking in Dunedin. I am in my 80's and parking for hospital appointments is absolutely hopeless. Public transport is not an option as it would take me all day to get there, attend my appointment and get home.” - AA Member

Parking constraints influence how some AA Members travel

While most AA Members have not changed their behaviour, a significant minority report adapting due to parking difficulties. Overall, parking issues are influencing where people go and how often they drive, and are also prompting changes in travel mode.

  • More than half of Members (55%) say parking has not changed how they travel.
  • 45% report making at least one change.
  • 1 in 5 AA Members (23%) have changed where they shop.
  • 14% have reduced how often they drive.
  • Smaller proportions report using public transport more (12%) or walking more (10%). Smaller shares also reported cycling more (5%), getting lifts or being a passenger (4%), or changing where they work (3%).

Overall, behaviour change is strongly linked to parking difficulty, with the greatest impacts seen among those experiencing the most constrained parking conditions, particularly in urban areas.

  • Among AA Members who say finding on‑street parking near their home is very difficult, 54% reported reducing how often they drive, 31% reported using public transport more, and 27% reported changing where they shop.
  • In comparison, Members who say parking is very easy were far more likely to report no travel change (62%).
  • Members in Auckland and Wellington were more likely to report increasing their use of public transport in response to difficulty finding parking (both 20%).
  • Members living in central city and suburban areas were more likely than those in towns to report changing where they shop (23–26% vs 16%) and reducing how often they drive (15–25% vs 9%) and were less likely to say parking had not changed how they travel (42–52% vs 71%).
  • Members in the Hawkes Bay were more likely to have changed where they worked in response to parking difficulties (11%). 

Views on limited parking in housing and shopping areas

Most AA Members prefer new housing to include off-street parking, but there is conditional support for reduced provision

Overall, most AA Members prefer off-street parking in new housing developments, although there is conditional support for reduced provision in well-served or higher-density areas.

Just over half of Members (52%) say it is rarely or never acceptable to have limited or no off-street parking for new housing or apartments.

  • 31% say it is acceptable to have limited or no off-street parking where public transport is nearby.
  • 25% say it is acceptable in central city or town areas, with Members living in central city areas more likely to support this (35%).
  • Smaller proportions support reduced parking for high-density housing (18%) or where on-street parking is available (17%). 

Overall, support for reduced parking is higher among younger, urban, and parking-constrained Members, while older and rural Members are more likely to oppose it.

  • Younger AA Members (18-34)  are more open to reduced parking (47% of 18-34s vs ~25% of those aged 65+ when public transport is nearby).
  • Central city Members were more supportive of reduced parking than Members living in towns or rurally. Among central city Members, 41% support reduced parking when public transport is nearby, 34% support reducing parking in central city or town areas, 25% support reduced parking around high-density housing, and 24% where on-street parking is available.
  • Older Members are most likely to say limited parking is rarely acceptable (63% of those aged 65 or over).  

“No new housing without adequate parking as it otherwise adds pressure to existing provision, so people break the law or park unsafely.” - AA Member

“What is the use of building high density housing without parking? Even if there is public transpost nearby...have you tried to do a weekly shop and carry that home on the bus? It is not an easy task.” - AA Member

On-street parking is the top priority in shopping areas, but many AA Members support alternative uses of space

Overall, support for prioritising on-street parking declines among younger, urban, and parking-constrained AA Members, who are more likely to favour alternative uses of space.

  • Younger Members (18-34)  were more likely to prioritise wider footpaths compared to older Members (45%), as well as bus lanes (30%).
  •  AA Members with four or more vehicles were much more likely to want on-street parking prioritised, at 79%.
  • Central city Members are less likely to prioritise parking (50%) and more likely to support bus lanes (34%) and wider footpaths (36%). They were also more likely to support protected cycle lanes (20%).

Overall, support for reduced parking is higher among younger, urban, and parking-constrained Members, while older and rural Members are more likely to oppose it.

  • Younger AA Members (18-34)  are more open to reduced parking (47% of 18–34s vs ~25% of those aged 65+ when public transport is nearby).
  • Central city Members were more supportive of reduced parking than Members living in towns or rurally. Among central city Members, 41% support reduced parking when public transport is nearby, 34% support reducing parking in central city or town areas, 25% support reduced parking around high-density housing, and 24% where on-street parking is available.
  • Older Members are most likely to say limited parking is rarely acceptable (63% of those aged 65 or over).  

"Roads/streets should be prioritised for movement of people by whatever means they choose - feet, bike, car, public transport, etc.  On-street parking is a low priority. " - AA Member

“Parking needs to be available for those of us who can't walk too far and don't qualify for mobility parking permits” - AA Member

About the AA Vehicle Choices Survey 2026

The 2026 AA Vehicle Choices survey explored AA Members’ experiences and views on parking. This included where Members usually park at home, whether they have enough off‑street parking, how easy it is to find on‑street parking, how parking availability has changed over time, and how parking issues affect day‑to‑day travel and local area design.

The Vehicle Choices Survey also examined the vehicles AA Members use, how they make vehicle purchasing decisions, and their views on different fuel and energy types, including petrol, diesel, hybrids, and electric vehicles. It included detailed questions on electric vehicle practicality and affordability and information about how current electric vehicle owners charge them. 

Finally, the survey explored Members’ views on government policies to reduce vehicle emissions, including the Clean Car Standard.

The survey had a response rate of 53% (n=2,000 of 3,763 AA Members invited), with a margin of error of ±2.2%.

Results have been weighted to reflect the AA Membership by age, gender, and AA district.

The findings of this survey will be used to identify issues that our 18 District Councils can raise with local road controlling authorities, as well as to inform our advocacy with Central Government.

AA Member survey results guide the AA’s position and advocacy when responding to potential changes by authorities and in promoting improvements to transport policy.

Alongside survey results, we also consider research evidence, our own policy analysis, and input from AA District Councils across New Zealand.

Media contact and further information

  • For media enquiries, please contact the AA Manager of Research, Safety & Communications Dylan Thomsen, +64 4 931 9991
  • For information about the survey or further results, get in touch with our team at membervoices@aa.co.nz.
  • Visit the AA Transport Surveys to find out more about the survey programme.