Abandoned Vehicles

Abandoned vehicles can be a nuisance. Find out when a vehicle is considered abandoned and what you can do about it.   

  • A vehicle is considered abandoned when it has been left on Council land and  any of  the following four scenarios apply:

    • The vehicle has a warrant and registration label displayed but each has expired by more than 31 days.

    • The vehicle has a warrant label displayed that has expired by more than 31 days and no registration label is displayed.

    • The vehicle has a registration label displayed that has expired by more than 31 days and no warrant label is displayed.

    • The vehicle has neither a registration or warrant label displayed.

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  • Please contact us by phone or online  and provide the following information about the vehicle:

    • Address.

    • Location.

    • Make.

    • Model.

    • Registration.

    • Colour.

    Phone 03 441 0499 (Queenstown) or 03 443 0024  (Wānaka) 

    Or complete the online request form.

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  • All reports of abandoned vehicles are investigated by us within 24 hours.

    We will assess the vehicle against the criteria above.  If it meets any of the criteria we will place  a 48 hour notice on it, warning that it will be removed.

    Following the expiry of the 48 hour notice, the vehicle will be towed.

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  • We will assess the vehicle and try to identify the owner.

    Where appropriate, we will have the owner take responsibility for the vehicle, including any costs incurred.

    Where we cannot locate the owner, the vehicle will be sold or disposed of.

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