Family First is calling for brothels in residential areas to be banned after one was shut down by Auckland City Council when clients began knocking on neighbours' doors instead.
It was unacceptable to allow brothels next to family homes, schools, playgrounds or churches, said national director of Family First, Bob McCoskrie, after complaints about similar residential brothels and one operating across the road from Henderson Intermediate School in west Auckland.
Mr McCoskrie said most councils had tried to control the location of brothels because they recognised prostitution may be offensive to members of the community, but a flawed law made that difficult.
"The decriminalisation of prostitution has been a community disaster harming families, businesses, and the welfare of workers caught in the industry. Cities throughout New Zealand have been trying to deal with the 'hospital pass' given by the politicians when they passed this law," he said.
The latest case saw Mt Albert resident Trevor Bindon complain to Auckland City Council after he noticed parking in his street was becoming more difficult and strange men were knocking on the door.
He then discovered the house next door was a brothel, The Aucklander newspaper reported.
In one situation his wife opened the door to a man who stepped in like a "long-lost friend".
The brothel manager has been given three weeks to shut it down for a technical breach of district plan rules.
Council service request manager Chris Horan said the council believed the house was only being used as a business, and in a residential zone that was a breach of the district plan.
The manager could apply for resource consent if he wanted to continue, or appeal the abatement notice, he said.
The unnamed manager of the brothel said he would talk to the council to see how he could operate legally.
Prostitutes Collective regional manager Annah Pickering said brothels in residential streets were usually discreet, but everyone should keep to bylaws.
NZPA