A consumer advocate says New Zealand needs to do away with the archaic practice of clamping cars.

An Auckland couple's had to fork out  $800 to remove a wheel clamp, after parking at a Ponsonby business after hours.

Consumer New Zealand said the property owner can legally charge as much as they like.

But researcher Jessica Wilson told Mike Hosking that shouldn't be the case, and it's time the government banned clamping completely.

"These guys can buy a few clamps and set up shop, they're effectively holding consumers to ransom. For some reason we're allowing private parking operators to get away with it."

LISTEN ABOVE AS JESSICA WILSON SPEAKS WITH MIKE HOSKING