More than five tonnes of rubbish has been cleared from West Coast riverbanks and beaches

The region is still battling the after-effects of recent floods - which saw rubbish spilling from an old landfill carried down the Fox River.

Specialists had to be flown in after it was discovered much of it was toxic.

Westland District Council recovery manager Te Aroha Cook says recovery teams are putting in an extraordinary effort.

She says some have worked eight days in a row - and had to be forced take breaks for their health.

Cook says they've collected 465 bags of rubbish so far - but it's hard seeing just how much still needs to be done.