Parking charges are being introduced in the streets outside North Shore Hospital, but Auckland Transport says it's still cheaper than parking at the hospital.

From next Thursday, parking will be a dollar an hour from 8am to 6pm on weekdays, on Shea Terrace, Mary Poynton Crescent and Northcote Road.

AT Parking Design Manager Scott Ebbett says it follows complaints from the local board that people visiting the hospital couldn't get a park.

"We carried out our analysis and found that the parking was pretty much 100 per cent full at the hospital most days."

Park-hogging commuters are being blamed for the lack of spaces.

Ebbett says the area is well-served by public transport, which is an option for commuters.

He adds that their pricing will be more reasonable than the hospital charges.

"We're creating some availability for people who need to go to the hospital or need to visit a local business. Our proposal is for $1 an hour, which I think is a lot more affordable than the hospital."

Parking in the hospital complex is around $4 an hour.