Journalist and wheelchair user Sally Wenley says accessible parking is important for her at work. Photo / Cameron Pitney.
In the video, she highlights the parking spot, part of a small bay of other visitor parks.
“Radio New Zealand is now in the TVNZ building and it’s working out well in there,” Wenley says in the video.
“And here was my park, but now, allegedly, TVNZ has said I’m not allowed to park there for more than two hours. So now I have to come out of the building, take my wheelchair with me.
“And then I have to go over and park in Sky City because they won’t let me use the disabled park.”
One commenter described the issue as a “PR fail”. Several others said it was “disgusting” and “terrible”.
However, another pointed out it was a spot for visitors, and questioned whether a broader solution was needed.
The disabled carpark that Sally Wenley says she’s been told she can only use for two hours. Photo / Screengrab
A TVNZ spokeswoman said today: “Our Hobson St carpark has 12 short-term parking spaces for TVNZ and RNZ visitors, including studio guests.
“These are limited to two hours to ensure access for all guests and include a dedicated disability parking space.
“TVNZ’s Auckland building also has a large basement carpark for staff use, with TVNZ and RNZ each allocating their spaces in the way that best meets their needs.
“As building owner, TVNZ can assist with additional accessible parking in the basement if required, without affecting disability access for guests visiting the building.”
An RNZ spokeswoman said the broadcaster was working directly with Wenley to find a solution.
She said the carpark immediately outside the building on Hobson St was owned and operated by TVNZ, and she reinforced the point about the limits.
“Given there are limits on the car parks we have access to within the shared TVNZ facility, we are actively exploring all available options with building management.
“We recognise that accessible parking is vital for staff with mobility and physical access requirements and want to ensure we have an arrangement that meets their needs while also recognising the limited visitor parking available at the building.”
Social media reaction
Wenley, who is understood to have met with an RNZ building manager today to try to find a solution, told one social media follower: “Maybe I will say my new shifts are for as long as I’m allowed to park there … two hours.”
She told her followers that when she previously worked at TVNZ, she had a park under the building, near a lift. “Not allowed there and RNZ says their parks underneath aren’t suitable for me. And TVNZ apparently won’t allocate a wider one.”
Wenley’s spine was severed, and she became a paraplegic at the age of 16 in 1987, after a fatal school bus crash in rural Hawke’s Bay. She has written a critically well-received book, The Crash, this year about the accident and its aftermath.
TVNZ’s central Auckland building in Victoria St.
RNZ moved into TVNZ’s building in late June, after years in cramped studios and office space further up Hobson St. RNZ now occupies the sixth and seventh floors of the TV broadcaster’s headquarters. A number of rules are already in place for the two news organisations as they co-habitate.
Wenley has received multiple responses to her social media video over the past day.
“Is that even legal? Perhaps they need another dedicated disabled park – but that won’t happen, I guess. Tight bastards,” said one follower.
And another: “That is one of the most ridiculous things I have ever heard … we are [in] 2026. By now you’d think employers would be fully across accessibility needs.”
And another: “Totally unbelievable. You have to take this further! They need to take themselves out of the 70s. It’s 2026. All the best getting it sorted.”
RNZ journalist and wheelchair user Sally Wenley. Photo / Cameron Pitney.
Another social media user saw the other side of Wenley’s predicament. “This is a really hard one, and I understand it is frustrating for you.
“But I can also see it from the other side as a regular user of accessible parking spots with a wheelchair user in the family. The car park you have been using looks like it is in the visitors’ car park area.
“So if you are parked in there all day while working, what happens when another accessible permit holder has a meeting in the TVNZ building … where are they supposed to park? It would be interesting to know if the building complies with the laws on the number of accessible parking for a multi-level office building.
“When RNZ took on the lease in the building, they would have negotiated the lease on car parks as well and at that time should have considered the needs of staff and visitors [and] arranged a suitable parking space.
“Is the RNZ HR department helping you with this as I think it would be their responsibility to work it out with the building manager. There has to be more than one accessible park in that building.”
The issue is on the radar of RNZ’s top brass. RNZ chief audio officer Pip Keane said in the comments: “Hey Sally Wenley I have tried to DM you”.
Editor-at-Large Shayne Currie is one of New Zealand’s most experienced senior journalists and media leaders. He has held executive and senior editorial roles at NZME including Managing Editor, NZ Herald Editor and Herald on Sunday Editor and has a small shareholding in NZME.