Valid grounds to appeal a fine in New Zealand

A review succeeds when something was genuinely wrong with the notice or the situation — not simply because the fine is inconvenient. The strongest grounds are specific, true, and backed by evidence. Below are the common grounds for each type of notice; only raise the ones that actually apply to you.

• Signage or road markings were missing, unclear, contradictory or obscured
• The pay machine, app or meter wasn't working
• You held a valid parking session or ticket at the time
• A mobility (disability) permit was displayed
• You were loading/unloading or dropping off within the rules
• The vehicle had been sold (liability transfers with a statutory declaration)
• Wrong vehicle, plate, time or location on the notice
• A genuine emergency or breakdown

Full guide: how to appeal a parking ticket.

• You weren't the driver, and the operator can't prove you were a party to the contract
• Signage was missing, obscured, contradictory or didn't fairly bring the terms to your attention, so no contract was formed
• You had paid, held a valid ticket, or were within a posted grace period
• The charge far exceeds any genuine loss (dispute the amount; offer the true value)
• The notice misrepresents itself as an official fine or your obligation to pay (Fair Trading Act)
• You were dropping off or loading within any posted allowance
• Wrong plate, wrong vehicle, or a duplicate notice

Full guide: how to challenge a private parking breach notice.

• You were a qualifying vehicle (a T2 lane needs 2+ people; T3 needs 3+)
• You entered the lane within 50 m of the end to turn, as allowed
• You moved over for an emergency vehicle or to avoid an obstruction
• Signage or lane markings were unclear or missing
• The lane's operating hours didn't apply at that time
• It wasn't your vehicle / wrong plate

Full guide: how to dispute a bus or transit lane fine.

• Clearway / no-stopping signage or times were unclear or wrong
• You weren't actually parked unlawfully
• Storage or towage fees are excessive or wrongly calculated
• Your vehicle was damaged during the tow or in storage

Full guide: how to challenge a tow & impound fee.

• You'd sold or transferred the vehicle before the trip (liability transfers with a statutory declaration naming the buyer)
• Someone else was in charge of the vehicle (a statutory declaration with their name and address transfers liability)
• The vehicle or its plate was stolen or cloned at the time of the trip
• The toll was already paid and you have the receipt
• Wrong vehicle, plate, date or toll road on the notice
• A duplicate or repeated notice for the same trip
• The administration fee is disproportionate where you paid the toll promptly and in good faith

Full guide: how to dispute a road toll charge.

• You had tagged on / held a valid ticket and can show it
• The reader failed or your tag-on didn't register
• You had topped up but the system hadn't updated
• Genuine confusion about a new route/zone, raised in good faith
• Wrong person identified

Full guide: how to respond to a fare evasion infringement.

Inventing or exaggerating a ground tends to backfire: authorities check their records and photos. An honest, well-evidenced request — “the sign was bagged over, here's the photo” — is far more persuasive than a vague complaint. If you're not sure whether your reason counts, that's exactly what Refund works out from your notice.