Parking wardens out in force

If you are planning a weekend jaunt to Kaiko¯ura, beware: parking wardens down there are back on the job.

With the northern part of State HIghway 1 to Blenheim and Picton back in action, parking in the seaside town is at a premium.

Kaiko¯ura District Council resumed the enforcement of parking rules in the town centre just before Christmas.

The 60-minute time limit for parking in front of businesses on West End will be enforced, with cars who overstay the limit potentially being given infringement notices.

The council will also charge for parking in the West End pay and display carpark. Cars not displaying correct tickets will receive infringement notices.

Council CEO Angela Oosthuizen said this was one small way of ensuring visitors and those using parking services contributed to paying for essential services.

The rules will apply to all residents and visitors.

Residents and visitors had a reprieve from parking fees after the earthquake in November 2016.

Kaiko¯ura retailers are thrilled at the boost to business from the sudden upswing in visitor numbers, which is in marked contrast with the same time last year.

Gecko Gearz owner Penny Betts said since the road reopened the surge in visitor numbers coming to Kaiko¯ura hadn’t stopped.

The town was ‘‘absolutely humming’’, she said. ‘‘Last year there was nothing and now it is huge.’’

Betts estimated visitor numbers might even be better than the year before the earthquake.

‘‘People are so glad they can get here and spend some money with us and support us,’’ she said.

PIPPA BROWN/STUFF If you are parking in Kaiko¯ura beware that it must now be paid for.