Some staff are not happy they're being charged $25 a week for 2-5 hours work.
An Ara cleaner, who wanted to remain anonymous, said they were given free parking last year, after approaching the institute, but that’s been taken away.
The Ara cleaner and their colleagues find it extremely hard to get a park in the morning with some having to park outside the Christchurch city's four avenues.
“There’s not many free parks around this city full stop.”
They said most of the cleaners work part-time and $25 a week was a large sum of money.
The Ara cleaner believes not only are the staff being affected but so are the students.
“I don’t think they should be capitalising on the institute. Students pay enough as it is to study there, they shouldn’t have to pay more to come in.”
Over the summer break Ara installed a new pay-by-plate system allowing staff and students to pay by card.