Abandoned VehiclesNgā waka kua whakarērea

Our policy on abandoned vehicles

A vehicle remains the responsibility of its last registered owner.

Often owners can sell their unwanted vehicles to scrap metal merchants.

A vehicle currently warranted and registered cannot be dealt with as abandoned. However, it may attract infringement fees for a variety of parking issues.

If a vehicle is abandoned and requires towing or removal, the Council will seek the costs involved from the last registered owner. Vehicles abandoned on State Highways are the responsibility of the NZ Transport Agency and they are to be contacted in the first instance.

If you think your vehicle may have been towed as an abandoned vehicle, phone the Council's parking receptionist.

Report an abandoned vehicle

Please ensure you have the following information available:

• Location of vehicle.
• Registration plate number.
• Vehicle make and model.
• WOF/ Rego (what date does/did it expire).

Steps to removing an abandoned vehicle

1. Our Officers will be dispatched to issue any applicable infringement notices.
2. Staff will try to locate and notify the owner of the vehicle using registration details, engine or chassis numbers.
3. The vehicle may be moved for storage if necessary, but the police must first be formally notified.
4. If the owner doesn't respond Council will advertise its intention to either sell the vehicle within ten days or dispose of it in other ways. If Council assess the vehicle to have no value, advertising may not be necessary.
5. Council declare the vehicle abandoned if an owner or interested party (eg.a finance company) don't come forward.
6. Once deemed abandoned, the vehicle is legally deregistered and sold to cover towing, storage or other costs. The vehicle can be disposed of by Council or a new buyer.
7. Vehicles aren't always removed while investigations take place.
8. If the abandoned vehicle is claimed before a sale it will be returned to the registered owner once they make a payment for costs incurred.
9. If the vehicle sells, Council will deduct costs and any other proceeds will be kept for 12 months. The previous owner can claim the proceeds during that period.