False teeth, underwear, children's toys and even a photocopier are among the weird and wonderful things flushed down Western Bay of Plenty toilets in the past year.
But the strange items are causing local councils a headache.
Tauranga City Council spent more than $100,000 in the past year cleaning up blockages caused by foreign objects including false teeth, towels, toilet disinfectant and sanitiser holders, ear buds and even stickers from fruit which float and collect in the corners of pump stations. So-called ''flushable'' wet wipes were the biggest offenders.
Drainage services team leader Wally Potts said the city waters team considered the issue to be such a problem, it had launched a radio campaign in an effort to stop the flushing of wipes.