An investigation is underway into Tauranga City Council's emailing system after a Te Puna man received water rates receipts for rates he is not required to pay - believing the system has been hacked.

A Tauranga City Council water rates receipt sent to Derek Jacombs.

Derek Jacombs opened his emails today to find the two TCC receipts - much to his surprise as he lives in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council area and has never paid a water rate bill.

The emails received in quick succession, at 9.17am and 9.20am, are receipts for credit card surcharges and water invoices valued at $911.62 and $189.92.

'I was at a bit of a loss really, I thought it might be something to do with rates, but I presume the council have been the victim of a spam attack,” says Derek.

'Since I am not part of the Tauranga City anyway I'm Western Bay of Plenty and our water comes from a bore in the ground so I don't pay any water rates anyway.”

Derek, co-founder of musical band Kokomo, says it is strange the receipts were sent to the band's newly launched website email contact, as opposed to an actual email address, but has not contacted council on the apparent blunder.

'Normally it goes to info@kokomo and this one came to kokomo@xtra, which I didn't even know existed, which is again odd. I have lived out in the country for ages and have never paid water rates.

'I thought I would just ignore it and just presume it has nothing to do with council and if I got them a lot of other people would have too.”

TCC group communication advisor Alison Clifford says council are investigating and will be speaking to Derek.