Brian Benson is one of 12 in the Dunedin City Council's parking services team, and has been in the role for 12 years.
Despite being whacked around the head and called everything from a "scumbag" to a "Nazi" during that time, he said he would miss the job when he retired this year.
"I will miss the comradeship," he said.
As a security guard, Mr Benson used to empty parking meters and formed friendships with some of the parking officers. When a job came up at the council, he jumped at the chance for a change.
"I've always said it's a good job. It's not a particularly nice job because people don't like what we do. But it's a good job and the council is a good employer - everything, beside my jocks and socks, they supply," he said.
He enjoyed working independently and "in the fresh air".
"The rain does not get under my skin, so I don't worry. The weather in Dunedin is better than most people think."
Receiving verbal abuse and running the risk of being "thumped" or "run over" were, however, real vocational hazards.
"There are humorous situations that happen all the time. There are serious situations, too, unfortunately." Mr Benson said the vocal minority who criticised or abused parking officers needed to understand that the officers were human, had families, and were simply doing their jobs.
"They may not like what we do, but it's necessary.
"If we were not there, people would never get a park. We have to be here so people get a fair crack parking," he said.
To help educate the public on the ins-and-outs of parking bylaws, Mr Benson often took the time to inform them on the street, and regularly joined Neil Collins on Radio Dunedin.
He was also keen to let people know that "we don't just write tickets". The job was "quite varied".
In an average day, Mr Benson would start at 7am and either take a car and work in the suburbs, or jump on his scooter and work in the central city.
Most officers switched runs day to day and would spend the first period of time "chalking up", checking the area, and answering any questions people had.
A daily meeting was also held to keep the team informed about any incidents.
While most of the job was issuing tickets, officers also handled abandoned vehicles, residential parking, school parking, education when required, and were responsible for monitoring the commercial use of footpaths.
The officers also acted as eyes and ears for the council and police by reporting accidents, broken signs, and damaged property.
Information about everything from rates to directions were requested.
Mr Benson recently found some lost tourists on Anzac Ave trying to get to Moeraki. He led them out to the bottom of the motorway.
"It's just one of the things we do. It's a public service."
Parking tickets
• About 68,000 a year are issued in Dunedin.
• About 45% of those are for people parked on expired meters.
• About 5200 people attempt to get off their parking tickets. About 50% are successful.
