MP Phil Twyford called for wheel clamping to be made illegal while he was in opposition.

Transport Minister Phil Twyford says wheel clamping needs to be illegal - and he is working on legislation to make that happen.

Twyford said on Monday he was working with Consumer Affairs Minister Kris Faafoi on legislation that would ban the controversial practice.

"It is time to change the law and either ban wheel clamping or regulate it."

Failing that, Twyford said he would like formal restrictions on the industry.

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"I regard the wheel clamping industry as predators and bottom feeders," he said.

Chris Skelton/STUFF Regine Du Villier, 86, was confronted by a wheel clamper demanding $200 cash after she parked her car for 15 minutes because she was too ill to drive.

"I don't believe National's voluntary code of conduct has made a blind bit of difference. This latest case shows it's just not on."

Twyford's comments followed the story of an ill 86-year-old woman who was clamped in Henderson while she sought help for her medical condition.

The $200 fine was eventually voided by the clamping company, but only after police were involved.

ROBYN EDIE/STUFF A wheel clamp device used to impound cars (file photo).

Gordon Ward, a spokesperson for the Elite Parking Services, said that the clamper only saw a car illegally parked and not the person.

He rejected calls for a ban.

"Banning would be foolish because you are taking a tool for enforcement on private property," Ward said.

He said the Government should not be involved in regulating behaviour on private property.

In response to Twyford's description of clampers as "bottom feeders", Ward said Twyford was just a politician and "we know how everyone feels about them".

Elite Parking Services would not sign up to the current code of practice as it was currently written, Ward said.

The code was written by groups who advocated for drivers without substantial consultation with property owners, he said.

Automobile Association (AA) principle advisor Mark Stockdale said the organisation was against the practice of clamping and advocated for it to be made illegal.

"The AA's position is still that we want to see wheel clamping banned."

Alternatively, AA would like to see the private parking sector legally regulated, with greater public education around the rules.

"You can't enforce the rules if people don't know what the rules are."

Stockdale said many people who were clamped accepted that they were wrong, however complained the fine was "extortionate".

"Anyone in the parking business, if they are serious and want to improve compliance, then they should be looking seriously at adopting the code," he said.

Twyford did not know when a proposed law banning clamping would make it to Parliament.

While in opposition, Twyford spoke out against clamping and called for it to be banned.