Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

A church billboard described as shocking and distasteful has been vandalised just five hours after it was erected.

Some critics described it as shocking and distasteful, while others found it funny. It has been painted over.

The hoarding outside Auckland's St Matthew in the City Church shows Mary and Joseph in bed together with a caption that reads "Poor Joseph, God was a hard act to follow".

The church, which earlier received threats over the billboard, said it was designed to challenge stereotypes and encourage people to talk about the Christmas story.

It says the police have been told about the vandalism.

Archdeacon Glynn Cardy says at about 4pm on Thursday someone used a ladder to reach the billboard and painted over the faces and the caption.

He does not believe the billboard should come down.

"I don't see why one person's protest should deny other people the enjoyment of the billboard."

Mr Cardy says he'll ask those involved whether they will try to replace the hoarding.

He earlier said he had no sympathy for people who said they were offended by it.

But Family First New Zealand says the billboard may have offended many people of various faiths.

National director Bob McCoskrie says Family First will complain to the Advertising Standards Authority.

Listen to Archdeacon Cardy, Bob McCroskrie and Catholic Church spokesperson Lindsay Freer on Checkpoint