This is upsetting locals who value the landmark building.

Tekapo Community Board member Stella Sweney told the New Zealand Herald that on February 22, within a 5 metre radius of the church, she picked up bits of rubbish and saw tissues floating in the lake.

A man responsible for cleaning the area told her "he'd had to get a shovel and remove human waste", she said.

Ms Sweney said the local council and community board knew more toilets were needed around the Church of the Good Shepherd.

Providing these is part of a long-term development plan.

But she said the plan needed to be brought forward, and quickly.

"The church itself is actually getting overrun with the sheer volume of visitors.

"I was down there at lunchtime yesterday and there were five large buses, plus campervans, plus cars."

Images of the church often feature in travel brochures and New Zealand Government marketing overseas.

Ms Sweney said New Zealand needed to take better care of the church.

She said freedom camping was prohibited in the area, but the odd person stayed overnight.

Source

• New Zealand Herald
• Image: First Light Travel