People expecting free central city parking on Saturday morning received a nasty surprise – and a parking ticket.

Free parking on Saturdays doesn't start until July 1, says Tauranga City Council group communication advisor, customer and environmental services, Alison Clifford.

And even after July 1, there will still be tickets issued for overstayers and no registrations or warrant of fitness.

'The confusion seems to be out in the public, some people were a bit tetchy with the parking officers on Saturday mornings,” says Alison.

'They obviously read the headlines, saw free parking and wondered why people were still giving them tickets.”

The public are a bit confused, and some people were quite rude, says Alison.

'I don't think there were any assaults, just verbal abuse,” says Alison.

'People were quite upset because they thought it was free and it wasn't.”

Parking wardens issued about 40 tickets on Saturday, 'which is about normal, it's pretty average,” says Alison.

Normal weekend parking charges apply until July 1, which gives council staff time to make the necessary adjustments to parking machines and reflects the start of the new financial year.

The first day of free weekend parking on the CBD streets, and in the Durham Street and Elizabeth Street parking buildings, is Saturday, July 2.

Parking officers will still be enforcing time zone limits to ensure everyone gets a chance to park in these areas.

Parking infringements may still be issued if people park too long in a time-zone area. Parking officers will also still be checking vehicle warrant of fitness and registration.