Justmeasking: Thak you Wheelborrow01 and everyone for your advice.

Quick question, I have already emailed and informed the Parking company that I will be making a claim against them. Should I email them that they can do it instead?

When I emailed the Enforcement business about taking them to the Disputes Tribunal, I CC'd the dept collector company. So they are aware that there's a dispute still going but I just recieved another letter from the dept collector about the fine, in bold letters [Payment Due: NOW].

If you've already indicated to them that you intend to request a tribunal hearing, then reversing that position could be viewed by them as you backing down (which they will relish).

If I were in your position where I'd already told them I will request a hearing, I'd probably just swallow the $45 lodgement fee and proceed with requesting a hearing at the DT. Again, best case is that they fail to show at the hearing and the judge finds in your favour after you demonstrate that despite your mistake with the registration plate number, you paid the appropriate parking fee on all 3 occasions and did your best to alert the parking company to this fact.

RE the latest letter from the debt company you just received, just reply to it stating "as per my previous correspondence on this matter dated x date, this debt is in dispute and is pending a hearing in the Disputes Tribunal. You must stop enforcement action until the matter is decided by the Dispute Tribunal".

According to consumerprotection.govt.nz, "If you don't believe you owe the money, or think you owe less, tell the lender or debt collection agency in writing as soon as possible. Debt collection and repossession processes must stop until the dispute is settled".