Auckland dad's $140 parking fee fuels petition against paid parking at New Zealand hospitals

An Auckland man who spent $140 in one week visiting his wife and premature son in hospital wants DHBs to rethink the way they control parking. Photo / File

An Auckland man who spent $140 in one week visiting his wife and premature son in hospital is petitioning for change in New Zealand hospitals' paid parking systems.

Alex Dexter started the online petition on causes.com, calling for parking companies to lower and remove their parking fees at hospitals.

"Force parking companies such as privately owned Middlemore Hospital Parking lower their prices for visitors, free parking for patients, support people, and all staff," the petition states.

"Make DHBs rethink the way they control parking."

Dexter told Fairfax his wife and premature son were in Middlemore Hospital, and he had spent $140 in one week on parking fees to visit them.

"It has been really stressful and really hard times over the past few weeks and we are still going to be here for a little while until he [his son] is ready to take home. I've got to pay to see my son," Dexter said.

He told Fairfax it was unfair on nurses and relatives of patients.

His petition has a target of 100,000 and has so far gained more than 9000 signatures.

A Wilson Parking spokesman said the company managed car parks for two DHBs - Auckland and MidCentral.

An Auckland DHB spokesman said the Government told hospitals 15 years ago to sell their car parks, so Auckland City Hospital's was sold to AMP Capital and was managed by Wilson.

There was revenue return to the DHB from the car park but the spokesman would not comment further.

A Counties Manukau spokeswoman said the Middlemore Hospital car park was managed by a company called Secure Parking.

"We make no money from parking which is managed by Secure Parking Ltd. Further, we can sometimes offer 'compassionate' parking for people who need it. People need to see the charge nurse of the ward they are visiting," she said.

The company has been contacted for comment.