Swimmers are being warned to avoid a popular beach on Auckland's North Shore after sharks were spotted on Tuesday afternoon.
Auckland Council reported the sightings at Long Bay around 3pm on its Swimsafe website.
"Swimming not advised," it warned.
This comes as a 19-year-old woman was killed in what was thought to be a shark attack at Waihi Beach on January 7.
Kaelah Marlow was pulled from the water by emergency services, however, she died at the scene.
Blue bottles have also been spotted at Bethells Beach on Tuesday afternoon. Their venomous tentacles cause an extremely painful sting which raises red welts. These can last several days.
Many of Auckland's other west coast beaches have been issued warnings as a large Southern Ocean storm brings large waves and strong winds.
"The entire western side of New Zealand is a 'NO GO' for being in the sea for the next few days as very dangerous conditions move in," WeatherWatch warns.
Here are Safeswim's current list of weather warnings:
No swimming
No swimming due to dangerous conditions.
- Karekare Beach
Strong currents
Strong currents, swimming not advised.
- Muriwai
- Piha Beach
- Bethells Beach
Large surf
Large surf, swimming not advised.
- Muriwai
- Bethells Beach
- Piha Beach
Strong offshore winds
Strong offshore winds, inflatable and non-powered craft use not advised.
- Orewa
Strong onshore winds
Strong onshore winds, caution advised.
- Bethells Beach
