Work will start tonight on installing a new parking programme which will see the heart of the city get free parking.
The 18-month trial of free parking will start on December 2 and is a direct response to community feedback during public consultation on the Rotorua District Council's current Annual Plan.
The programme, Park Rotorua, includes free two-hour parking in the immediate inner city area, retaining the existing unlimited metered parking on the inner city fringes and free unlimited parking on the perimeter of the city.
Rotorua Mayor-elect Steve Chadwick said the parking initiative had been designed to provide better parking options and to support the growth and revitalisation of the inner city.
"This is an exciting development for Rotorua's heart of the city, particularly leading into the busy Christmas period, but also beyond that as we seek to build and regenerate our inner city."