Our Impact

Canary Organisation is dedicated to creating safer and more accessible environments through diligent enforcement and community support. Within just three months of implementing our monitoring systems, we have significantly reduced the abuse of mobility parking spaces by over 70% at one site, in just three months. This drastic reduction—from an average abuse rate of 70%, with a high of 83%, down to just 20%—underscores our capability to effect meaningful change. By enhancing accessibility, we directly improve the daily experiences of permit holders, ensuring they have access to the spaces designed for their needs.

How We Help

Supporting Our Community

Canary Organisation believes in giving back to the community that we serve. For every successful breach, we contribute $50 to a range of charities including St John, Spinal Support, and local grassroots charitable efforts like the Western Community Centre in Hamilton. Over the past eight months, we have donated more than $21,000, directly supporting health, mobility, and community welfare projects. These donations help fund essential services and equipment, enhancing the quality of life for individuals across the community and building a spirit of solidarity and support.

Effective Enforcement

Our approach combines state-of-the-art technology with a deep understanding of mobility needs to ensure that mobility parking spaces are used appropriately. By employing advanced monitoring systems, including cameras and in-house software created with mobility parking enforcement in mind, we are able to detect and address violations effectively. This technology not only helps in reducing abuse rates but also serves as a deterrent, maintaining the integrity of designated parking spaces. Our enforcement is designed to be non-intrusive yet highly effective, ensuring compliance.

Accessibility Assistance

Recognising the financial barriers some people may face in getting their mobility parking permits, we offer financial support to cover the cost of these permits. This initiative is aimed at ensuring that no one is denied access to mobility parking due to financial constraints. While we cannot cover the cost of the doctor visit itself, we ensure that the cost of the permit is not a burden by making the payment to Sommerville or CCS Disability Action on their behalf, thus promoting fairness and accessibility. This support is part of our broader commitment to make mobility accessible to all who need it, reflecting our dedication to inclusivity and equal opportunity.

Testimonials

  • “CCS Disability Action is pleased to support the Canary Organisation in their mission to eliminate mobility parking abuse.

    Mobility car parks are extremely important to a person with an impairment and legitimate Parking Permit. It provides them with the ability to access the community that many without an impairment take for granted. Too often people are faced with the Mobility Car parks being used by people who do not have the need to use them and this is very frustrating.

    Canary offer a completely free service to businesses, ensuring their mobility parking spaces remain available for those who need them most. They issue breach notices, with $50 from every successful breach being donated to amazing charities, selected in collaboration with each site. They understand that permit holders may occasionally forget their permits, so if this happens, they just need to get in touch, and Canary will waive the breach as soon as they confirm the person has a legitimate permit.

    Since Canary’s launch, they have seen outstanding results at their pilot site. In just three months, there has been a reduced rate of abuse by 70%—from a high of 83% and an average abuse rate of 70%, down to a 20% average abuse rate.

    Canary is not just a business, they have a charity aspect. They have donated over $21,000 so far, which has been split between St Johns, Spinal Support, and the Western Community Centre—the local community centre.

    It's worth noting that, at their small pilot site alone, they issue more than 330% more mobility parking enforcement each month than Auckland Transport does across the entire Auckland region. This success is due to the purpose-built system designed specifically to eliminate mobility parking abuses, which has a catchment rate of over 90%.

    Beyond the numbers, Canary have widespread community support, hearing nearly every day from permit holders how much of a difference they are making in their lives. This direct feedback is a powerful reminder of the importance of their mission and the positive impact they are having on the disabled community.

    At the moment, they operate at just one site. CCS Disability Action would encourage other businesses to use Canary Organisation. We understand that businesses do not have the resource to monitor car parking, so why not use a company who is willing to provide that service, has a proven record of how effective that can be and making it possible for those with Mobility Parking Permits to have confidence that there will be a car park space for them to use when they are out in the community.”

    - BJ Clarke - National Manager (Accessibility & Mobility Parking)

    CCS Disability Action

Hear directly from those we’ve helped:

  • “We appreciate Canary’s support of our 50+ senior programs. Your generosity helps us create meaningful experiences for our community.

    Thanks to this funding, we’ve been able to offer affordable bus trips for our 50+ group (older adults) to Raglan, Tauranga, and Auckland. Many participants are on tight budgets, and these trips provide a valuable opportunity to connect, explore, and enjoy a change of scenery. Feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with many attendees calling these outings a highlight of their year.

    Your contribution also helped make our annual Treats in the Park Halloween event a success. Nearly 2,000 children registered for treats, and thousands more attended, filling Elliott Park with excitement, laughter, and community spirit.

    Working with The Canary Organisation has been really great, and we’re truly grateful for your support in strengthening our community.”

    - Neil Tolan - Manager
    Western Community Centre

  • “Canary’s donations have been used to assist to fund our In-House & Community Peer Support, who educate and enable people with Spinal Cord Injuries and their whānau to access the necessary support and services to live well and have equal opportunities to participate in social, economic, and cultural live of the community.”

    - Spinal Support Admin

  • “When individuals abuse these accessible carparks, it removes our freedom of movement. For some of us valid permit holders, we feel less than human being unable to get out of our vehicles.

    By spearheading a new innovative approach, Canary is tackling this problem head-on. I believe that best part about this initiative, is no-one is personally confronted, it's done remotely. You're leading the way Canary.”
    - Lee Warn, New Zealand’s leading parking advocate

  • “It's been so much better. For years I had trouble finding a park because of people taking the parks...It’s been so nice not having to worry about that anymore with the new supermarket.” - Direct Testimonial

  • “Despite me getting a little huffy about the ticket, your response was excellent, and much appreciated. I totally agree that people without permits should not use the parks, and unfortunately, it requires monitoring. The cameras are a great idea. Way fewer people use those parks now.” - Permit Holder Feedback

  • "When I contacted your people, they were most obliging and very helpful. Once I showed the card information the situation was dealt with immediately. Major Kudos to your team” - Permit Holder Feedback

  • “… I forgot to put it out, but I called and your team was very helpful and got it sorted in one call. It's been so much better since you've started enforcing these rules. For years, I've struggled with finding a park due to people misusing the spots.” - Permit Holder Feedback

  • “Canary Organisation have been great. They are good at responding and communication. They have compassion and understanding if you have a permit holder. Working down at this shopping center and being the customer side personally we have witnessed physical attacks in disabled parks towards permit holders, from others that want to selfishly park without a permit. Thank you both Nawton community and Canary org. It be great to get that high % down. Hopefully Nawton, our community can support you.” - Facebook Community Group Comment

  • “Hallelujah. I'm so pleased this is happening!!! I'm so grateful to hear this is happening! My husband has been in and out of a wheelchair for awhile now, and we have had many frustrating moments with others using the carparks not designed for them. So this is awesome” - Facebook Community Group Comment

Join Us

Our service is completely free for locations and businesses; only offenders pay. If you know a location suffering from mobility parking abuse, or want to promote responsible parking, join us. Together, we can make our communities more accessible and inclusive for everyone.