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Parking officers Melissa Hunt and Aaron Collier model their new look in Auckland’s CBD, where parking spaces are in high demand.

AUCKLAND CITY COUNCIL

MEDIA RELEASE

1 June 2006

Off the catwalk and onto the sidewalk

Auckland City parking officers will be visible with a new look on the streets in a cost-effective yet smart new wardrobe.

The council’s launch of the new parking officer uniform coincides with the first official day of winter, when parking officers brave all weather to ensure everyone has fair and equal access to Auckland city’s sought after parking spaces.

Councillor Richard Simpson, chairperson of the Transport and Urban Linkages Committee, says the new uniform has been introduced for a number of reasons.

“We wanted something that was better value for money. This uniform is exactly that – it’s made from harder wearing and more durable fabric, with specific items that can be locally made at lower cost,” says Mr Simpson.

“It was time to update the look in line with Auckland City branding and colours. We want our parking officers to look smart and professional. They are often the face of Auckland city in some of our busiest and most popular areas.”

The new uniforms cost around $1,000 per officer per year, a saving of 55 per cent from the previous uniform.

The saving has been achieved by sourcing locally made items with fewer variations than the previous parking officer uniform.

The new uniform has just eight key items, including stylish blue shirts with the council’s quilt logo of iconic Auckland imagery, waterproof yet breathable black and charcoal jackets, and smart blue wool vests and jumpers.

The look has been designed to reflect Auckland City’s philosophy that parking officers need to be easily identifiable and friendly but also authoritative.

“Parking officers have a difficult job, but they do it well. Every day they brave Auckland weather and face sometimes disgruntled customers to ensure everyone has a fair go at finding a car park,” says Mr Simpson.

“Parking officers are essential for managing the city’s limited car parking resource. Without them, finding a parking space would become impossible.”

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Fact sheet

- The cost of supplying the new uniform will save the council 55 per cent per uniform annually. The cost is reduced from about $2,150 per officer to $1,000 per officer.

- The total cost of introducing the new uniform is approximately $105,000, of which $5,000 went towards developing the design. The remaining covered the cost of fitting out the council’s parking officers in the new look, with a 30 per cent surplus for future orders.

- While Auckland City branded items in the previous Line 7 uniform were custom-made in China, the new branded items are manufactured locally in Manukau.

- The new uniform has been pared back to eight main items, instead of including all pieces from the previous uniform such as shorts, heavy and light weight polar fleece jackets, reflector vests and wind breakers

- The last uniform was introduced in 2000.

- Unbranded pieces of the old uniform, including trousers, shorts and shoes, will be given to charity. Identifiable items of the previous uniform need to be destroyed due to security.

ENDS

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