Auckland's Mayor has called out a city councillor for allegedly stretching the truth over yoga claims.

This morning, Councillor Greg Sayers claimed in an NZ Herald opinion piece that Auckland rates were being used to pay for yoga classes, among other things.

"What has frustrated me the most as a councillor has been many repeated attempts to have council define "core business" to allow the debate to focus on trimming back on non-core services," Sayers wrote.

"By way of example, Aucklanders' rates are being used to pay for yoga classes, daycare centres, camping grounds, marinas, golf courses and a host of other services which should be being run by private enterprises. They are not core council business. They should not be ratepayer funded."

Auckland councillor Greg Sayers. Photo / Supplied.

But Mayor Phil Goff told Heather du Plessis-Allan that couldn't be more wrong.

"It's all bullshit. I am really appalled somebody can go into print and say things that are patently false."

Goff says that yoga classes are provided in some pool and leisure centres that require membership fees - with those fees then subsidising other council activities.

He also says claims by Sayers that the regional fuel tax is used to finance debt and operational expenses - which Goff says is prohibited by law.

Goff admitted that daycare centres are not core services, but they all make money. 

"Auckland Council has the lowest level of reliance on rates of any council in the country. Only 40 per cent of income comes from rates." 

He says that Covid-19 has affected the non-rates revenue, forcing them to make up $1 billion across three years.