Cottage cheese-like substance on Lake Rotorua

A cottage cheese-like substance is washing up on the shores of Lake Rotorua and locals are being warned to keep their dogs away.

The dense green algal scum is being found across a wide area, from Ngongotaha to the city's lakefront.

Environmental scientist Matt Bloxham says it is not toxic, but it could drag other toxic algae to shore with it.

People are being advised to keep their dogs and children away from the scum and not to picnic on the lakefront.

- NEWSTALK ZB