Kaipara ratepayers are heading back to court today to appeal a decision about the district council's botched sewage scheme.
The High Court has ruled ratepayers have to stump up the $57 million bill for the scheme.
But the Mangawhai Ratepayers and Residents Association is challenging that decision because the council's actions were deemed unlawful.
Spokesman Bruce Rogan said councils around the country needed to know they could not charge rates to cover illegal activities.