Man puzzled by 12-year-old parking offence

A Westport man was puzzled when he got a $115 fine for a 1994 parking offence in Dunedin - he hadn't visited the city since 1978.

Ian Fraser said he first received a letter telling him he had an unpaid fine for an "unspecified offence" two years ago.

He replied saying he didn't know anything about the offence, and received another letter from the Ministry of Justice informing him of the 1994 parking ticket.

Not only had Mr Fraser never owned a car with the licence plate identified in the letter, but he hadn't been to Dunedin in nearly 30 years.

"(That was) for a flying visit, in there and out in the same afternoon and I travelled by public transport," he told the Westport News.

"I've never been in charge of a vehicle in Dunedin."

Ministry of Justice communications officer Julie Treanor told the newspaper if there had been a case of mistaken identity, the ministry would be keen to resolve it, although it could take time.

"We can't wave a magic wand and make (fines) go away, it has to go through the courts."

- NZPA