Auckland Council has surprised churches by sending them rates bills for the first time.
The council billed several churches recently after deciding they were using church property for business, not religious purposes, NZME reports.
But the churches aren't happy with the decision and say they only use any money earned to provide services to the community.
After councillors raised questions about the decision the council backtracked on the decision, and contacted churches telling them not to pay the bills just yet.
Orakei Ward Councillor Desley Simpson has called for a report on churches and their charitable status, and said councillors needed to talk about what direction to take the issue.
"There are churches out there, for the very first time, have been sent a rates bill and there has been no political direction, she told NZME.
The Anglican Church says it was disappointed by the bills, and hope to work things out with the council.
"Our ministry units and their facilities are valuable resources to our communities, and this decision would have a detrimental effect by inhibiting the services our ministry units could provide," Bishop Ross Bay from the Anglican Diocese of Auckland told NZME.
"Auckland Council has responded well to us about this matter and we feel that we will be able to resolve it in a positive way."
Newshub.
