Sir Owen G Glenn Building car park access and revenue control system replacement

The existing end-of-life and fragmented car park system in the Sir Owen G Glenn (OGGB) car park is being replaced with a modern, user-friendly, semi-automated and efficient solution.

Wilson Parking has been appointed by the University to carry out the work, following a competitive request for proposal process involving three providers, a successful pilot using similar technology at Grafton Car park 22, and recognition of Wilson Parking’s strong performance managing the OGGB car park since August 2024.

Key features of the new system

• Licence plate recognition technology and barrier-free entry
• Unified system – no campus card swipe columns needed for permit users
• Paperless operation – no physical tickets or receipts
• Multiple payment options for casual users: both onsite pay station and pay-at-exit with bank card, and the ParkMate app
• Integrated validation feature to assist administrators (e.g., Group Services) in managing event parking
• Enhanced user experience and reduced congestion
• Real-time, accurate data analytics to support future improvements

The current OGGB car park system is outdated and inefficient, relying on manual, paper-based processes and aging hardware that is difficult to maintain. This has led to poor user experience, higher operational costs, and risks of system failure. The other aggravating factor has been the gradual performance decline of the current system, resulting in regular outages, incorrect pay station charges, or pay station failures and the possibility of lost revenue when gate arms need to be raised, while repairs are carried out.

This upgrade is a key step toward a smarter, future-ready unified parking solution for the University, aligned with our goals of efficiency, IT sustainability, operational excellence, and user-first service.  

• Parking rates will be calculated in the same manner as usual – the project is not funded by parking levies
• Plate numbers of existing permit holders will be automatically transferred to the new system
• If your vehicle registration (number) plate has changed since applying for your permit, submit the current plate number(s) via the Staff Service Centre portal, using Vehicle update, or email carparking@auckland.ac.nz
• All permit holders will be contacted directly prior to the changeover, with details of how to access the car park once the new equipment goes live

Relevant event organisers/faculty admins will be granted a Faculty Admin role in the new system, enabling them to:

• Purchase parking credits
• Validate attendees’ number plates
• Apply full or partial credits according to University event parking rates

The car parking team will provide formal training prior to go-live to support this transition.  

Documentation will be added to the Events parking section of Car parking.

Mid August 2025

Project commences and detailed planning is completed

Mid-late August 2025

Procurement completed and equipment delivered

December 2025

Implementation:

• Civil, power, network infrastructure and server room setup (OGGB booth)
• New equipment installation and configuration
  
• Software enablement and configuration
• End-to-end integration
  
• Initial training and configuration
  
• Quality assurance and user acceptance testing 

Mid February 2026

Formal training, Change Advisory Board review, handover and go-live preparation

End February 2026

Final cutover between old and new systems, and go-live

End March 2026

Contingency

April-May 2026

Decommission old systems  

OGGB car park management

Wilson Parking continues to manage the car park, as appointed in August 2024.

Potential disruption during transition

We aim to minimise disruption. Onsite work for power, network cabling, civil works, and equipment installation/testing will be scheduled after hours wherever possible. All onsite activities will be communicated in advance, with clear signage and onsite support provided to guide users during the transition. Before the formal transition (expected in Q1 2026), users can continue to use the car park as usual with no changes required. 

Deployment of the new system beyond OGGB

This has not been decided yet. However, implementing the new solution in our most complex car park will provide valuable data to help the Property Services team shape future strategy. Any confirmed plans will be communicated. 

Contact details and feedback

All issues – including any technical issues after the upgrade should be reported as usual via the the Staff Service Centre Portal.

Wilson and the University will work closely to monitor and address any system concerns post go-live. 

The University car parking team will conduct surveys after the transition to gather user feedback.

Project sponsor

Chief Property Officer, Propery Services: Simon Neale

Project leaders

Project subject matter expert

Facilities Manager Campus Services, Property Services: Grant McEwen

Project Manager

Digital Services: Tony Tang

If you have questions about this project email the Facilities Manager Campus Services Grant McEwen, or Project Manager Tony Tang.