The Department of Conservation (DOC) is dealing with a stinky problem on the summit of Mt Taranaki.
Mount Taranaki Photo: 123rf
The nearest toilet is a three-hour tramp away at a nearby lodge, so people are defecating at the top.
Phil Mohi, a retired conservation manager, said the problem was getting worse as more and more people visit the site.
DOC spokesperson Callum Lilley said they were looking into the possibility of fines, monitoring or extra signs.
"The reality is that we can't put toilets everywhere, but we do ask that people take personal responsibility and as part of their trip, plan for how they are going to deal with their impact. So where practical, to take their waste with them.
Mr Lilley said there could be several hundred people at the summit on a busy day.
