Living in Northland

Beach water quality

Water Quality at Northland beaches 2011-12

Water quality is tested at a selection of Northland's beaches during summer.  Forty seven coastal sites will be tested weekly for 12 weeks from 28 November 2011 to 13 February 2012.  Twenty four coastal sites will be tested weekly from 13 February 2011 until 31 March 2012.

Results for Week 11 (7 Feb - 10 Feb 2012)                                                             (Updated 9:40am Friday 10 February 2012. Next update 3pm Friday 17 February 2012)

Please Note: If water testing shows counts above the recommended guideline the relevant District Council will put up a temporary health warning sign. Swimming at these sites is not recommended for 7 days from the date written on the sign. The sign will remain in place for a further 28 days advising against shellfish harvesting as there is still a viral risk.

Before going for a swim,  remember the four simple rules:
- Don't swim if there are warning signs indicating water is unsafe
- Avoid swimming two to three days after heavy rain
- Don't swim if water looks dirty/murky, smells or it has scum on the surface
- Be aware of potential sources of contamination nearby or upstream

Far North
North East (Coopers Beach to Matauri Bay)
North West (Hokianga Harbour)
South West (Kaipara District) 
South East (One Tree Point to Mangawhai Harbour)
Bay of Islands and Oakura
Tutukaka
Whāngārei Heads (including Onerahi and Pataua)

Status system

We give a three tier status system for swimming water quality.  This is based by assessing the risk of contamination at a beach swimming site using levels of the indicator bacteria Enterococci.   Find out more about what we test for

Green - safe to swimGreen: safe to swim
Enterococci count less than 140/100ml

Orange: caution

Orange: caution, potentially unsuitable to swim
Enterococci count more than 140/100ml

Red: unsafe to swimRed: unsafe to swim
Enterococci count more than 280/100ml 

Faecal coliform levels are also tested at some sites, these sites are shown with an asterix (*) in the tables below.  A 'combination' of faecal coliform and enterococci levels are used to give the final grade. Find out more about 'combination' grades.

Far North

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the Far North testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link. 

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Ahipara, in front of campground 109871

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

20
Matai Bay, in front of campground 102326

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Tokerau Beach 109872

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Waipapakauri 109873

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10

 

North East (Coopers Beach to Matauri Bay)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the North East testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link.

LOCATION Site No. Status

Result

Cable Bay 105780

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Coopers Beach 101066

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Matauri Bay 102425

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

20
Taipa 105777

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10

 

North West (Hokianga Harbour)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the North West testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link.

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Omapere 102317

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Opononi 106011

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Rawene* 100236*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

<10

* 'Combination' test used 

South West (Kaipara District)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the South West testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link.

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Baylys Beach 109876

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Glinks Gully 100798

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Omamari Beach 109875

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Pahi, 150m NW jetty* 102198*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

<10
Pahi, at rocky groyne* 102579*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

<10
Tinopai, below shops* 102310*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

53
Tinopai, below Puapua Creek* 101232*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

<10

 * 'Combination' test used

South East (One Tree Point to Mangawhai Harbour)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the South East testing sites. 

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link. 

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Lang's Beach, Mid-Beach 108318

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Mangawhai, Motorcamp foreshore* 101210*

Red: unsafe to swimRed*
Unsafe to swim

429
Mangawhai Heads, Beach 109890

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Mangawhai Harbour, Picnic Bay* 110322*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

87
One Tree Point 109266

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Ruakaka, River 108314

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Ruakaka, Beach 108315

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Uretiti Beach 109888

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10

Waipu Cove

108316

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

20

* 'Combination' test used

Bay of Islands and Oakura

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the BOI and Oakura testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link. 

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Oakura, North Bay 101345

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Ohawini Bay 105388

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

31
Paihia, Te Haumi 101195

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Paihia, beside toilets 101194

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

64
Paihia, Waitangi Bridge 101183

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Russell, Mid-North 105710

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10
Teal Bay 101331

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10

Tutukaka

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the Tutukaka testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link. 

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Church Bay 105448

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

64

Matapouri, at first bridge (south)*

100711*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

53

Matapouri, at second bridge (north)*

100712*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

<10
Ngunguru, at Motor Camp* 100073*

Green - safe to swimGreen*
Safe to swim

10
Ngunguru, at school 108320

Orange: cautionOrange
Caution

238

Pacific Bay

 

Pacific Bay drain (one off sample)

108313

 

103017

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

64

 

199 E.coli

Sandy Bay 109879

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

20
Wellingtons Bay 109880

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Whananaki, East beach 106938

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

124
Woolleys Bay 109878

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

<10

* 'Combination' test used


Whāngārei Heads (including Onerahi and Pataua)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the Whāngārei Heads testing sites.

To view an aerial photo map of the location where the samples were gathered, click on the site name link. 

LOCATION Site No. Status Result
Ocean Beach 109877

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10
Onerahi, at playground 101600

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

53
Pataua South, East Beach 104986

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

31
Taurikura Bay 101262

Green - safe to swimGreen
Safe to swim

10

 

Check before you swim

In general, water can be contaminated and unsafe for swimming if:

  • there is a warning sign erected indicating water is unsafe.
  • there has been heavy rain recently.
  • the water looks dirty (murky).
  • there are several potential sources of contamination nearby and upstream such as:
    • houses on septic tanks;
    • stock with access to the water; or
    • a sewage treatment plant discharge.

 

Who to contact

We are responsible for routine surveillance monitoring. These results are sent to the District Councils and Northland Health, who then carry out follow-up sampling as required and warn the public of any swimming sites that may be unsafe.

For information about a specific area or a warning sign contact your local District Council or the on-duty Health Protection Officer at Northland Health.

Far North District Council
Phone: 09 401 5200

Whāngārei District Council
Phone: 09 430 4200

Kaipara District Council
Phone: 09 439 3123

Northland Health
Phone: 09 430 4100

For general information contact:

Northland Regional Council
Freephone: 0800 002 004