Revealed: Auckland Council's top 10 crazy call centre queries

Auckland Council today published a list of some of the weirdest requests its call center staff were saddled with. Photo / iStock

Next time you get to wondering about any of life's questions, any at all, just call the council.

Or don't.

Auckland Council today published a list of some of the weirdest requests its call centre staff were saddled with.

Most Aucklanders called about rates, rubbish or roads, but the council said many others raised "more challenging topics" such as cooking tips or help with a pub quiz.

"One caller made the suggestion of having giant fans on the motorway to blow away the fog, while another wanted council staff to deal with a naked neighbour walking around his house," the council wrote on its website.

Sometimes, calls that first sounded like pranks turned out to be serious.

"You always need a high level of sensitivity when answering the phones and it's important to evaluate how serious the question is before you allow yourself to smile about it," said Auckland Council manager Wendell Wylde.

"Staff at the contact centre can do many things, from booking a building inspection to renewing a library book but, unfortunately, they may not know the best place to buy a cupcake or at what temperature to cook liver," the council added.

EXCUSE ME? TOP 10 CRAZY CALL CENTRE QUERIES:

1. "What's the correct oven temperature to cook liver?"

2. "My neighbour walks around his living room naked. Please can you ask him to buy curtains?"

3. "What's the best place in Orewa to buy a cupcake (not a muffin)?" The Council said the caller then elaborated on the difference between cupcakes and muffins.

4. "Two dogs are mating on the footpath outside my house. Please can you send over an animal officer to move them on?"

5. "Can my child eat the grass in one of the Glendowie parks?"

6. "Why don't we have fans on the motorway to blow away the fog?"

7. A caller wanted to book a seat on the Civil Defence helicopter to be picked up first in case of a natural disaster.

8. Another called the council as a "phone a friend" from a pub quiz, to ask: "Why is A4 paper called A4 paper?"

9. "Is it possible to install a parking bay on the side of the road outside my daughter's house for my boat?" The caller said they were happy to cover the cost.

10. "There is a seal walking down the main road in Papakura."