The town of Kawerau, in the Bay of Plenty, has once again been troubled by a strange and unpleasant smell.
Residents have reported a chemical odour described as similar to burning rubber or plastic, which has even made breathing difficult for some people.
The Bay of Plenty Regional Council has been investigating after receiving 26 calls to its 24/7 Pollution Hotline about the problem. Compliance leader Trudy Richards said the first report came late on Sunday night, though residents believed the smell had begun earlier in the day.
Investigators have checked possible sources, using information from the public alongside weather data. So far, one residential property and a possible industrial site have been linked to the odour, but the council has not confirmed the exact cause.
Officials reminded residents that burning household rubbish is not allowed, as it can harm people’s health. Plastics, for example, can be recycled for free through Kawerau’s kerbside collection or taken to the local transfer station.
The council has asked the community to keep reporting any strong smells, as these reports help them track and solve the problem faster.
This is not the first time Kawerau has faced such troubles. Last year, the town was affected by a very different stench – one linked to a worm farm that processes human waste from across the Bay of Plenty. New rules were placed on the farm earlier this year to prevent future problems.
