A tell-all book on the impact of sex workers who ply their trade on South Auckland streets will be released by the Otara-Papatoetoe local board in its fight against street prostitution.

The book, to be released on Monday, has accounts from business owners and residents highlighting the challenges they face from prostitution in Papatoetoe.

The book is endorsed by Auckland mayor Len Brown and is supported by neighbouring local boards.

It takes aim at the Prostitute Reform Act (2003) and supports the Auckland Council Bill (Regulation of Prostitution in Specified Places) which is before Parliament.

Otara-Papatoetoe Local Board chairman John McCracken said the board hoped the book would influence government decision making.

''It clarifies our intent which is not to re-criminalise street prostitution; it's about protecting communities and giving the community the ability to say 'we're in conflict here and we need some protection'.

''We're not trying to stop street prostitution, we just want to take it away from residential areas,'' he said.

As it stands, street prostitution is a legal unregulated activity but the flow-on effects, including public harassment, fighting, drug use, defecating in roadside bins are wearing down the community after nearly two decades, he said.

That's why legislative change must come from Parliament because ''council bylaws have had no effect''.

''Members of Parliament are toeing the line, saying that local council bodies already 'have the power to change it' and are 'why aren't we already doing something?''

''We've been trying to do this for the last 18 years. Agreements with the Prostitutes Collective have gone ignored by the street workers and residents are at their wits end. It's appalling stuff.''

The Auckland Council bill seeks more power for local government bodies to ban sex workers from residential, school and sports areas. Fines, powers of arrest and the power to stop suspected vehicles are also proposed.

McCracken said the issue has received strong support from Justice Minister Judith Collins and Manurewa-based National list MP Cam Calder.

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