Plastic beads escaping from a washed up container on Matakana Island are threatening wildlife in the area.

Wildlife response personnel are today following up reports birds have ingested some of the plastic beads, although there are no confirmed cases at this stage.

Plastic polymer beads washed up from a container on Matakana Island. Photo: SunLive.

MNZ salvage unit manager David Billington says these 2-3mm beads made of translucent polymer used in the plastics industry pose a threat to wildlife if ingested.

These beads were found washed up on Matakana Island on Monday by Sun Media directors Brian and Claire Rogers.

They say the ocean side beach was littered with thousands of these beads – read earlier report here.

David says environmental specialist Braemar Howells is acting quickly to secure the container and ensure no more plastic beads escape into the environment.

The container held 660 bags of the beads, containing almost 17 tonnes of beads.

It is not known at this time how many bags have escaped from the container at this stage.

The wildlife team has no confirmed cases of wildlife affected by debris to date.

The container washed ashore on the island on Monday after the ship broke into two pieces during a storm at the weekend.

It is estimated more than 150 containers fell into the ocean when the ship broke in two.

So far 30 containers have come ashore in areas from Bowentown to Mount Maunganui.

Contractors have removed 11 containers from Waihi Beach and another six remain.

Teams are also working to remove the 11 containers still beached on Matakana Island, including the container of plastic beads.

David says there are reports of debris washing up around the rocks of Mauao and at Kaituna Cut.

A recovery team is out assessing the situation there today.

Matt Marshall reclines on some wood washed up near Mauao. Photo: Sue Marshall.