Mailroom staff at the Western Bay of Plenty District council are having cold showers this morning as part of the decontamination procedure after a suspicious letter was found.

New Zealand Fires Service's northern communication centre shift manager Scott Osmond says an opened letter contained a red powder and a threatening note.

Emergency services respond to Suspicious mail opened at the district council

Discovery of the suspicious item of mail resulted in the Western Bay of Plenty District Council mailroom being evacuated this morning and emergency services called.

'Staff followed the correct procedures, which involved contacting the NZ Fire Service and Police, and evacuated the small area of the building where the item was found,” says a statement from the council this morning.

Greerton firefighters at the District Council offices

Some of the council staff involved are undergoing decontamination procedures says Scott – which involves a thorough cold water wash down.

This council mail room will remain out of bounds until clearance is given by relevant authorities.

A contractor will removed the red powder for analysis, says Scott.

The district council is otherwise operating as normal, says council's communications advisor, online services, Corrie Taylor.

Police arrive at the scene round the back of the building