The sun is out after a couple of weeks of wild weather in the North Island but for Aucklanders, a trip to the beach remains off the cards - for now.
Aucklanders may have time to enjoy what's left of the sunshine later this week as beaches are expected to reopen just before another weather event could hit.
The catastrophic floods and torrential rain the region experienced on January 27 washed contaminants, wastewater and debris into waterways and onto beaches.
Almost two weeks later the majority of beaches remain black-pinned by Swimsafe - the highest warning the council can issue - which means beachgoers are not allowed to swim there.
According to the website, water quality testing has detected sewage overflow on the majority of Auckland beaches which often occurs after heavy rainfall.
However, Auckland Council's head of planning healthy waters Nick Vigar said in a statement a number of beaches have returned to normal operation already.
"Currently, beaches on Auckland's West coast, Waiheke Island, and places such as Goat Island, Tawharanui and Maraetai Beach on the east coast, are already running the usual water quality models, and are currently showing be good to swim at today," Vigar said.
But for the remaining cluster of black-pinned beaches in Auckland, they could soon be turning green.
Auckland Emergency Management's Deputy Controller Rachel Kelleher said in a press conference on Tuesday they estimate beachgoers can return mid this week.
"Our initial estimation around return to safe conditions was probably around some time mid this week," Kelleher told media.
"But the advice to Aucklanders in regards to whether they should be out swimming at a particular beach location is to keep an eye on the Safeswim website."
Auckland Council will publicise when beach and park cleanups can be done safely on local community group websites and Facebook pages.
Safeswim has forecasted the water quality at the majority of Auckland beaches to be given the green tick from 11am Thursday, meaning there is a low risk of contamination.
However, MetService said a tropical low in the Coral Sea is likely to develop into a tropical cyclone in the coming days and current information brings it toward our shores later in the weekend.
The tropical low is expected to hit the north of the country and MetService has warned it couldl be a "significant weather event".
