Radio host wins parking ticket stand-off

A parking warden has been disciplined after botching a $40 parking ticket issued to NewstalkZB host Larry Williams.

It happened after Mr Williams caught the warden chalking his tyre and immediately issuing the ticket - then running off with the ticket. Mr Williams had parked on Hobson St in central Auckland, then crossed the road to buy a sandwich. When he came out the warden was chalking the tyre and placing the ticket.

Mr Williams believed he was well inside the five-minute grace period before being open to an infringement fine. Attracting the warden's attention by shouting, Mr Williams was astonished to see the warden grab the ticket and make a run for it.

Later, he said he was convinced wardens were under quota pressure, and believed the warden had made up times on the ticket to fit a non-existent offence.

Auckland City's parking services manager Chris Geerlings said the warden had timed Mr William's car parked on Hobson St for 7 1/2 minutes.

The car had been timed from the moment the warden spotted it. The tyre was marked with chalk at this time in case the car was still there when the warden came by again. However, Mr Geerlings conceded an error had been made, and the warden had been spoken to about the correct procedure to follow in future. "The officer should not have taken the ticket off the car."

Mr Geerlings said the ticket had been withdrawn.

Mr Williams has rejected the offer and asked it be posted out so he can defend it in court.


- Herald on Sunday