Shona Hutchings, Auckland, was horrified when she saw an Auckland Council worker urinate against the inorganic collection truck.

Is it ever acceptable to relieve yourself in public?

Aucklander Shona Hutchings said she was horrified to see a council contractor urinate on the side of his truck during an inorganic collection in May.

"I don't think it's right, I don't think it's acceptable behaviour," Hutchings said.

There were public toilets nearby as well as a primary school, she said.

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Hutchings took photos of the incident in Titirangi and complained to Auckland Council.

Official police numbers from the last five years showed a 51 per cent drop in the number of fines issued for "excreting in a public place".

Police issued just 32 fines in 2017 for people going to the toilet in public.

A police spokeswoman said these numbers reflected cases where this was the worst offence and did not include times when other, more serious offences were committed as well.

CRAIG THORN Public urination has long been a problem. In 2013, a sign was erected in Upper Hutt warning cyclists that they were being filmed for a website.

Hutchings said peeing in public was outside social norms.

"I think this behaviour is disgusting. There are no males in my family that would do this."

However, Hutchings' post on social media site Neighbourly was met with an overwhelming stream of support for the driver, with many people arguing "if you have to go, you have to go".

Joan Harris, one commentator on the site, said she agreed that it was not a nice thing to see.

"But in all honesty why have we not got public toilets in certain areas," Harris said.

"I mean what can one do when they go for a long jog and can't find a toilet. It can be hard to hold off [until] the time they get back home."

Taking a leak in public has long been a controversial topic.

In 2010, the former mayor of the North Shore, Andrew Williams, was caught urinating outside his council building after drinking in a nearby bar.

Former Northland MP Dover Samuels never recovered after it was revealed he had urinated in a hotel corridor after a Labour party event.

Warriors forward Russell Packer apologised to fans in 2013 after being caught urinating on the field at Suncorp Stadium field in Brisbane before a game.

Auckland Council Waste Solutions manager Ian Stupple confirmed they had received a complaint regarding a person urinating against a waste truck.

The matter was referred to the contractors.

"We understand the issue was raised with their crew members, who were reminded of the need for discretion when in public places," he said.

"The collection team was also advised to familiarise themselves with the location of toilet facilities."

Public urination is illegal under New Zealand law and if found guilty, offenders could receive up to 3 months in prison or a fine of up to $2000.

The exception to this rule was if there were "reasonable grounds for believing you would not be observed".