NRC: Beach water quality results for week starting 20 December

Each summer, Northland Regional Council test the water quality at a number of Northland’s popular coastal and freshwater swimming spots to make sure it’s safe for swimming. 

Testing started on 29 November and will continue for 12 weeks through to March.

Beach water quality for week starting 20 December:

Warning signs have been placed by District Councils at the following sites (please see all the results below):

• Matapouri 1st Bridge
• Kowharewa Bay
• Ngunguru Motor Camp
• Ohawini Bay

NOTE: No additional signs placed by Far North District Council this week as most sites deemed unsafe for swimming after heavy rainfall.

Status system

NRC 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 NRC test for

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

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

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

This weeks' results:

Far North

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the 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	Red: Unsafe to swim	364
Matai Bay, in front of campground	102326	Green: Safe to swim	64
Shipwreck Bay	109870	Green: Safe to swim	42
Tokerau Beach	109872	Green: Safe to swim	10
Waipapakauri	109873	Green: Safe to swim	31

North East (Coopers Beach to Matauri Bay)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the 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 swim	20
Coopers Beach	101066	Green: Safe to swim	31
Matauri Bay	102425	Green: Safe to swim	No data
Taipa	105777	Red: Unsafe to swim	>2005

NOTE: We also randomly sampled the Wairoa Stream at Ahipara, this site was 'Unsafe to swim'.

North West (Hokianga Harbour)

Full weekly results available below. View a map of the 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 swim	124
Opononi	106011	Red: Unsafe to swim	531
Rawene	100236	Green: Safe to swim	<10

South West (Kaipara District)

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

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

South East (One Tree Point to Mangawhai Harbour)

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

LOCATION	Site No.	Status	Result
Lang's Beach, Mid-Beach	108318	Green: Safe to swim	53
Mangawhai, Motorcamp foreshore	101210	Green: Safe to swim	31
Mangawhai Heads, Beach	109890	Green: Safe to swim	<10
Mangawhai Harbour, Picnic Bay	110322	Green: Safe to swim	<10
Mangawhai Harbour, at Pontoon	110320	Green: Safe to swim	10
One Tree Point	109266	Green: Safe to swim	64
Ruakaka, River	108314	Orange: Caution	150
Ruakaka, Beach	108315	Green: Safe to swim	<10
Uretiti Beach	109888	Green: Safe to swim	20
Waipu Cove	108316	Orange: Caution	207

Bay of Islands and Oakura

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

LOCATION	Site No.	Status	Results
Bland Bay	109889	Green: Safe to swim	<10
Kerikeri, Skudders Beach	100974	Red: Unsafe to swim	1445
Oakura, North Bay	101345	Green: Safe to swim	10
Ohawini Bay	105388	Red: Unsafe to swim* See note below	591*
Opua, foreshore	101418	Green: Safe to swim	42
Paihia, Te Haumi	101195	Green: Safe to swim	20
Paihia, beside toilets	101194	Green: Safe to swim	53
Paihia, Waitangi Bridge	101183	Red: Unsafe to swim	697
Russell, Mid-North	105710	Green: Safe to swim	20
Teal Bay	101331	Orange: Caution	192

* NOTE: Whangarei District Council re-sampled Ohawini Bay on 22/12/2010 and the Enterococci was 199 - 'Orange - Caution' status.

Tutukaka

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

LOCATION	Site No.	Status	Results
Church Bay	105448	Green: Safe to swim	64
Kowharewa Bay	106444	Red: Unsafe to swim	697
Matapouri, at first bridge (south bridge)	100711	Orange: Caution	254
Matapouri, at second bridge (north bridge)	100712	Orange: Caution	254
Matapouri, Beach	110321	Green: Safe to swim	10
Ngunguru, at Motor Camp	100073	Red: Unsafe to swim	207
Ngunguru, at Norfolk pine	100076	Green: Safe to swim	31
Ngunguru, at toilets	108320	Orange: Caution	238
Pacific Bay	108313	Green: Safe to swim	87
Sandy Bay	109879	Green: Safe to swim	87
Wellingtons Bay	109880	Green: Safe to swim	124
Whananaki, footbridge	103147	Orange: Caution	53
Whananaki, East beach	106938	Green: Safe to swim	10
Woolleys Bay	109878	Green: Safe to swim	31

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

NRC 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
Freephone: 0800 920 029

Whangarei District Council
Phone: 09 430 4200

Kaipara District Council
Phone: 09 439 7059

Northland Health
Phone: 09 430 4100

For general information contact:

Northland Regional Council
Freephone: 0800 002 004