An Auckland couple say a makeshift abattoir that began operating next door has turned 25 years of peaceful living into regular scenes of distress and carnage

Dairy Flat homeowner Kevin Bell says an abattoir-on-wheels now rolled into his neighbour's paddock most weeks to kill a small number of sheep and cattle.

He says he wants answers about how a commercial slaughterhouse could be set up so close to his home and in view of his lounge window.

Neighbour David Taylor says he's tried to minimise disruption by offering to build an embankment to shield the operation from Bell's view, but was rebuffed.

Auckland Council and the Ministry for Primary Industries are each looking into the complaint.