"The Tauranga Sexual Health Clinic " Clinic 2 sees about 600 patients per month. Of those less than 10 will have gonorrhoea," she said.
"Rates of gonorrhoea have decreased slightly in Tauranga since testing was made easier with a new type of test. This means that most men can get a gonorrhoea test on a urine sample and women may be able to take their own samples without the need for an internal examination."
Because of the low number a single infected individual who has multiple sexual partners could skew the figures, she said.
Traditionally the clinic saw an increase from 600 patients a month to about 800 in January and February, Dr Claydon said.
"This happens for a number of reasons including: an influx of tourists, people on annual leave, students being home from university getting around to having check-ups, increased alcohol consumption over Christmas and the New Year resulting in more risk-taking sexual behaviour. "
There was concern around the world about the emergence of a new strain of gonorrhoea resistant to the current treatment but Dr Claydon said none have had the multi-resistant strain, dubbed the "sex superbug".
"Gonorrhoea antibiotic resistance is being monitored and about half of gonorrhoea in Tauranga is resistant to ciprofloxacin which has previously been the mainstay of treatment. We currently treat with ceftriaxone and closely monitor resistance," she said.
"As far as I know there have been no known cases of multi-resistant gonorrhoea in New Zealand so far.
"However, with high levels of population movement between New Zealand and Australia this may well change in the future."
The New Zealand Sexual Health Society said gonorrhoea was well-known for developing antibiotic resistance and many treatments once used were now ineffective.
Gonorrhoea was passed on by unprotected sex and could be avoided by using condoms and getting regular STI checks if you have had a change of partner, Dr Claydon said.
Family Planning chief executive Jackie Edmond said they did not usually have more people coming in for checks during summer but were aware it was a high-risk time.
Number of lab confirmed cases of chlamydia in the Bay of Plenty District health Board area
*Q4 2013 - 347
*Q1 2014 - 395
*Q2 2014 - 359
*Q3 2014 - 386
Number of lab confirmed cases of gonorrhoea in the Bay of Plenty District health Board area
*Q4 2103 - 28
*Q1 2014 - 31
*Q2 2014 - 18
*Q3 2014 - 34
Where to get checked
*Tauranga sexual health clinic, Clinic 2, on the corner of 17th Ave and Cameron Rd
*Family Planning
*GPs
