Aucklanders thinking about taking a dip at the beach for Boxing Day might need to change their plans if they don't want to swim in faecally contaminated water.
Water quality website Safeswim shows a number of popular Auckland beaches are off-limits due to sewage overflow.
Among the beaches with a black flag (do not swim) notice are central Auckland hotspots Herne Bay, Home Bay, Sentinel Road Beach and Judges Bay.
Beaches with a red flag (swimming not advised) notice include popular east Auckland spots Mission Bay, St Heliers and Okahu Bay. People thinking about going to those beaches should consider going to Kohimarama instead, which has a green flag.
A number of beaches in the North Shore also have red flags, including Narrow Neck, Milford Beach, Long Bay and Mairangi Bay. If you want to go for a dip on the North Shore, Cheltenham, Takapuna and Browns Bay are safe to swim at with green flags.
As usual, west coast beaches such as Piha and Muriwai are free from fecal contamination and green-flagged. Karekare remains inaccessible to the general public since Cyclone Gabrielle damaged roads in and out.
Newshub
