NZ Herald Headlines | Saturday, January 17, 2026.
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Most Auckland and outer gulf beaches are unsafe for swimming today because of contaminated waterways, with heavy rain triggering wastewater overflow throughout the region.
The Auckland Council’s Safeswim tool, which uses real-time data on rainfall, wind and other environmental factors to predict water quality across city beaches, shows almost allthose lining the two harbours are unsuitable for swimming.
Colour-coded flags are used to indicate the risk of getting sick due to water contamination.
Black “do not swim” warnings, the highest possible level, are issued when wastewater has been detected.
Lower alert levels, such as red flags, advise against swimming, while a red swimming symbol on top indicates water that frequently fails to meet national standards.
As of midday, 22 beaches including the most popular swimming spots like Herne Bay, Kohimarama, Mission Bay, Narrow Neck and St Heliers remained under “do not swim” warnings.
Mission Bay had been placed under a "do not swim warning" after wastewater overflow had been detected in the area. Photo / Anna Heath
“A wastewater overflow has been detected in the area. Do not swim here as untreated wastewater may be present”, the notice on each beach reads.
Other beaches, including Takapuna, Pt Chevalier, Okahu Bay and Cheltenham, say that swimming is “not advised”.
“Safeswim modelling predicts that the water quality at this location is unsuitable for swimming,” each notice reads.
Holly Foreman, principal of Safeswim, told the Herald the water quality effects of recent rainfall shouldn’t last more than 48 hours and beaches should have good water quality again today and Saturday.
“It is important to note that Auckland’s beaches don’t all respond in the same way to rainfall events,” Foreman said.
Asbestos contamination at Karaka Beach is "now minimal". Photo / Dean Purcell
“This is due to the rainfall, catchment areas, differences in the land and that each beach is unique.
“Each beach has a different combination of rainfall received, catchment type and flushing rate which means the water quality effect, and how long it takes to recover will vary.
“This is why Safeswim provides beach-specific information.”
Mervyn Chetty, manager of licensing and environmental health forthe Auckland Council gave an update on asbestos contamination at Karaka Beach, with the amount found there “now minimal”.
“We’re asking Aucklanders to take a common-sense approach, and to simply leave the asbestos-containing material alone for the council to collect.”
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