Wellington City Council is looking into if mosques should be allowed to broadcast call to prayers, even for special occasions.
Councillor Nureddin Abdurahman raised the conversation, asking about how calls to prayer might be made - even for significant occasions like the March 15 terrorist attack anniversary.
It's currently not allowed and there is no plan for Wellington to allow regular broadcast of the call to prayer, which is observed five times a day.
However, an amendment made at a council meeting on March 14 is asking council officers to investigate the rules on noise restrictions and come back with advice.
Councillors voted 10 to seven in favour of looking into it.
Mayor Tory Whanau, who voted in favour, told Newshub councils were responsible for regulating noise under District Plans.
"During last week's council meeting, where multiple amendments were passed to enable more housing in Wellington City, officers were asked to investigate religious observances as part of our District Plan Noise chapter," she said.
"Many religious observances cause public noise. This amendment is a normal and sensible thing to look at for a modern and diverse city that prides itself on being welcoming.
"I am so proud to be the Mayor of a city that not only welcomes but celebrates diversity and inclusion for all members of our community."
The council also voted to instruct staff to look at how the plan can better support music venues in the central city.
"Both amendments relating to noise were appropriate and raised according to proper process," Whanau said.
This discussion came about because council officers noted there was no allowance for a mosque to broadcast a call to prayer, even for a special occasion such as the annual commemoration of the March 15 attacks.
But councillor Nicola Young, who voted against it, told Newstalk ZB it was "ridiculous" to consider.
If the council was to allow a broadcast call to prayer it would "make us yet again the laughingstock", she added.
"New Zealand is a secular country and I think we're the third most atheist country in the world. Why would we start having prayers broadcast?
"A lot of people will find it incredibly offensive.
"Church bells are one thing but prayers five, six times a day every day... unacceptable," Young told ZB.
She said the council didn't have religious views but had "a strong left-wing majority around the council who will do whatever the Mayor wants".
Newshub has reached out to Young for comment but is yet to get a response.
Several Muslim groups in New Zealand have also been approached for a response, as well as councillor Abdurahman who brought the issue to council.
