Thousands of dead fish have been seen washing up on a Hauraki Gulf island.
Photos and video of what appear to be dead mackerel floating in the water and lining the shores of Kawau Island have been sent in to the Herald.
A reader told the Herald locals were cleaning up trailer loads of fish from the beaches.
A Department of Conservation spokesperson said he had spoken to two rangers about the dead fish.
"The word is it was a variety of fish and MPI are aware of it and investigating," he said.
The Herald has contacted the Ministry for Primary Industries for comment.
READ MORE:
• State of the Gulf: Government, NGO provide $400k boost to Hauraki Gulf shellfish stocks
• Premium - No fishing: Large swathes of Hauraki Gulf could be placed in marine reserves or closed to fishing to reverse dramatic declines in marine species
• Premium - Key to saving Hauraki Gulf: Let's try traditional Māori fishing practices
• Hauraki Gulf - Tīkapa Moana: Snapper, crayfish stocks in peril as our big blue backyard under pressure
Katikati health practice says poor funding has caused 'dangerous' wait times.