Five wooden piles have been stolen from the boat ramp at Kopu, frustrating council staff and creating a hazard for boaties.

Thames-Coromandel Council staff complained to the police last week after they were notified that the piles had been chainsawed off.

They were keen to track down the culprits and make them pay through reparations, otherwise ramp users and ratepayers would end up covering the cost of the warning signs and the replacement piles.

Not to mention boaties would be put in danger.

''This theft has created a navigational hazard because many of the piles, which were marking the ramp, have been cut under the water, leaving a dangerous hazard for boaties,'' communications manager Benjamin Day said.

Project manager Francois Pienaar said the piles were made with what was believed to be century-old kauri logs, which would have been heavy to remove.

He thought the theft must have occurred during low-tide at night time.

Council staff speculated the logs may be feature pieces in someone's landscaped garden, and they urged anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers on 0800 555 111.

- © Fairfax NZ News