About 1600cu m of lake weed washed onto the shores of Lake Rotorua after Easter storms has been removed by council contractors.
The Rotorua District Council estimates another three days of work is required to complete the clean-up which will cost about $80,000.
However, work will halt temporarily for the next few days because of the Rotorua Marathon and will resume next week.
It is the biggest clean-up of lake weed following stormy weather in about five years.
Large amounts of lake weed washed up at the Lakefront reserve, Ohinemutu, Kawaha Point and Ngongotaha.
The council's priorities were to clear all public boat ramps, the Lakefront, Ngongotaha lakefront reserves, Kawaha Point reserves and Ohinemutu, where the focus was around St Faith's Church where Anzac Day services were being held.
A council spokesman said the clean-up cost was more than initially expected due largely to difficulties at Ohinemutu where the soft lake bed and ground conditions made it harder to get to.
Once removed, the weed is composted back into council topsoil for use in the city's gardens.
- By Matthew Martin of the Rotorua Daily Post
