Visiting Christchurch sales consultant John Simpson put a $2 coin in an upper Octagon parking machine and it came straight back out.
He put the coin back in the machine but it again came out.
But as he pushed the button to cancel the transaction, dozens of coins poured from the machine.
''I just thought, this is marvellous ... I will have to come back and try this meter again,'' he said.
''I rang the parking meter people and they said they would have someone around in five minutes ... that was 20 minutes ago,'' he told the Otago Daily Times, as he produced handfuls of coins from his pocket.
Asked why he was still waiting for someone from the council to arrive, he replied ''because I am honest''.
''I had a parking ticket in Dunedin once before, so that is why I always pay for my parking.''
Two men arrived 15 minutes later and took the money ''without saying 'thank you very much for being honest''', Mr Simpson said.
''I thought it was pretty bad treatment ... I would have expected a simple thanks.''
He did not count the coins, but estimated they totalled about $40 to $60.
A Dunedin City Council spokeswoman said the council was aware of the incident, but was not in a position to respond to questions last night.
