Thousands of plastic balls dumped in Waikanae River near Paraparaumu

Paraparaumu residents were irked after they saw thousands of plastic balls floating in the Waikanae River near a popular swimming spot. Photo / David Haxton

Paraparaumu residents were irked after they saw thousands of plastic balls floating in the Waikanae River.

The small North Island town is north of Wellington and west of Masterton.

Paraparaumu resident Blair Rosson said he went out to the river to take his children swimming on Saturday about 3pm.

When they get to their usual swimming spot, they saw the river was peppered with bobbing plastic balls of different colours, it has been reported.

He and his children collected about 2000 balls out of the water over two hours.

Upstream were balls in wool sacks.

It is thought they were probably dumped out of laziness or by someone not wanting to pay to dispose of them.

Greater Wellington Regional Council spokesman Stephen Heath said dumping the balls was "stupid and irresponsible", it has been reported.

The regional council and the Kapiti District Council organised a contractor to dispose of the balls.