250 tyres dumped in tide

A person who dumped about 250 used car tyres into a tidal area at Portland, near Whangarei, is being hunted by the Northland Regional Council.

Spokesman Bruce Howse said the tyres had been removed "at our cost at this stage" and were stored on land.

Investigators were following some leads and the council would definitely prosecute the culprit.

The tyres were dumped between about 1pm last Thursday and 10.30am the next day, when they were discovered near the boat ramp by the old Portland cement wharf.

Mr Howse said many were painted blue or yellow and might have been used at a sports ground.

"We're still after help from the community in terms of anybody seeing any trucks along the Portland road between 1pm Thursday and 10.30am Friday."

Besides prosecuting, the council would be seeking full cost recovery.

"It's not something ratepayers should have to bear."

It is an offence under the Resource Management Act to dump rubbish into the coastal marine area.

- NZPA