Activist Penny Bright has been ordered to pay back almost $35,000 in unpaid rates to Auckland Council.

The council has successfully obtained a summary judgement against Ms Bright for unpaid rates dating back almost nine years.

The Auckland District Court today released its decision in favour of the council.

A total of $34,182.56 in rates and penalties had been outstanding, as of last June.

Auckland Council's group chief financial officer, Sue Tindal, said court action was the last resort when it came to recovering unpaid rates.

"We have given Ms Bright ample opportunity to resolve this matter in a way that would not cause her financial hardship, including rates postponement," she said.

Ms Bright will now have to pay the outstanding rates amount or make a payment plan.

If she continues to refuse to pay her rates, the council will be able to apply to the High Court for a rating sale to recover unpaid rates.

In 2007, Ms Bright declared she would not be paying her rates until she knew where her money was going.

She called on the council to reveal publicly exactly what ratepayers' money was being used for - down to the last dollar.

Ms Bright said she would not comment but she said she was not talking to media until she'd read the judgment.