Latest from Pollution

Officials quash Waipu sludge rumours

The foul-smelling black sludge clogging up the river mouth at a Northland beach is not human or animal effluent, but it's still not a good idea to swim in the area, officials say.

Mission to clean trashed beach

A beachgoer is disgusted with the state of one of Auckland's top beaches, after it was left with so much rubbish on the sand it resembled "a dump".

Toxic algae health risk for river users

People are being warned to protect themselves and their dogs against toxic algae in Masterton's Waipoua River after levels increased.

Firms may be closed over stench

Some of Wanganui's largest businesses could be temporarily shut down if the Wanganui District Council receives an expected abatement notice from Horizons Regional Council.

Absorbent clay key to clean farms

A mining sector group says New Zealand should be doing more to capitalise on the use of pollution-soaking clay to clean up dairy land.

Mayor: Sea discharge not an option

Discharging untreated wastewater into the sea is "not an option" for the Wanganui District Council, says Mayor Annette Main.

Few tests done at toxic sites after superstorm

Sea pollution: Going down the drain

Thirteen days before the world's top male triathletes dived into the chilly, salty Waitemata Harbour for the grand final of their championship series, the water was sampled for signs of bacterial contamination.

Waterways threatened by green waste - Fish & Game

The green waste dumped and leaching into Dunedin's urban streams is "offensive" and endangering the brown trout, Fish & Game says.

Effluent with your whitebait?

Good progress on Rena clean-up

According to the latest update, the salvage crew lost two work days last week because of poor weather, but on the remaining days good progress was made.

Rena owner fined $300,000

Daina Shipping representative Konstantinos Zacharatos again apologised on behalf of the company to the Bay of Plenty community and people of New Zealand.

Editorial: Disgraceful river quality

It is appalling that so many of our rivers are not clean enough for swimming.The reason is obvious. This is a farming country.

Bill aims to plug pollution loophole

Don't swim: 52% impure NZ rivers

More than half of monitored recreational sites on our rivers are unsafe for swimming, a report has revealed.

Rena chemicals worry scientists

Scientists are ramping up surveying over concerns for dangerous substances that were stowed onboard the MV Rena in shipping containers and lost at sea.