Kiera Jefferson
Auckland's beaches have been under scrutiny due to water pollution, with faecal contamination being a significant concern. Safeswim, a water quality programme, has been at the forefront of assessing beach water quality, testing for faecal indicator bacteria from warm-blooded animals, including birds, dogs, cows, and humans. According to Safeswim, beaches closer to Auckland's central isthmus tend to have higher levels of pollution, with some spending a significant portion of the previous summer in an unsafe state. The programme has flagged several beaches along the North Shore's east coast as unsafe, including popular spots like Takapuna, Milford, Browns Bay, and Long Bay. Inner harbour beaches such as Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana have also been labelled unsafe due to wastewater overflow. However, there are still some beaches in Auckland that are safe to swim, including Eastern Beach, Farm Cove, and Cockle Bay in East Auckland, and Narrow Neck and Cheltenham south of Takapuna.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of beaches with high levels of faecal bacteria | 34 |
| Water quality programme | Safeswim |
| Number of beaches red-flagged by Safeswim | 30 |
| Number of beaches black-flagged by Safeswim | 4 |
| Beaches red-flagged by Safeswim | Ōrewa, Long Bay, Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Milford Beach, Takapuna Beach, Narrow Neck, Cheltenham, St Leonards Beach, Mission Bay Beach |
| Beaches black-flagged by Safeswim | Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, Te Tinana, Cox's Bay, Meola Reef, Fosters Bay, Green Bay, Lynfield Cove, Wood Bay |
| Cause of high levels of faecal bacteria | Wet weather, blocked or damaged pipes |
| Water quality forecasts update frequency | Every 15 minutes |
| Beaches labelled safe to swim by Safeswim | Eastern Beach, Farm Cove, Cockle Bay, Saint Heliers, Ōkahu Bay, Ōrākei, Point England |
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What You'll Learn
Faecal contamination
In December 2024, at least 25 beaches in Auckland were deemed high-risk due to high levels of faecal bacteria. Four inner-city beaches, namely Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana, were closed due to wastewater overflow. Sewage spills have also been reported in Waitematā Harbour, causing concern among the North Shore community.
Safeswim, a water quality programme, has been monitoring the situation by collecting water samples from local beaches and testing for faecal indicator bacteria. In their 2022/2023 rankings, they identified several beaches with high levels of faecal contamination. These included beaches on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula, the North Shore, and Auckland's inner harbour.
In May 2025, the faecal contamination issue intensified, with 64 beaches across Auckland being flagged as unsafe for swimming. This included every beach on the Whangaparāoa Peninsula and multiple beaches on the North Shore once again. The heavy downpours that battered Tāmaki Makaurau just before the assessment likely contributed to the increased contamination.
It is important to note that the presence of faecal indicator bacteria does not necessarily mean the water is unsafe. However, high levels of these bacteria can indicate a potential health risk for swimmers. Safeswim advises people against swimming in contaminated water, as overflows can introduce wastewater, or sewage, into the sea.
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Unsafe beaches
Auckland's beaches have been facing issues with pollution and water quality, with some beaches spending a significant amount of time in an unsafe state. The issue is more prevalent in beaches closer to the central isthmus, with the region experiencing record levels of rainfall. The high rainfall has overloaded the stormwater and wastewater networks, resulting in water quality warnings.
Safeswim, a water quality programme, has been testing water samples from Auckland's beaches to assess the presence of faecal indicator bacteria, which indicates potential contamination from warm-blooded animals. Based on the test results, beaches are flagged as safe or unsafe for swimming. As of December 2024, 34 Auckland beaches were red and black flagged as unsafe due to faecal contamination. This included popular beaches along the North Shore's east coast, such as Ōrewa, Takapuna Beach, Milford Beach, Browns Bay, and Long Bay. Inner harbour beaches like Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana were also black-flagged due to wastewater overflow.
Some beaches with long-term warnings and evidence of poor water quality include Cox's Bay, Meola Reef, Fosters Bay, Green Bay, Lynfield Cove, and Wood Bay. Lynfield Cove, in particular, has been a no-go area due to high levels of faecal material detected between 2019 and 2022. Home Bay and Herne Bay were also among the lowest-scoring swimmable beaches, with unsafe water quality for over 50% of the previous summer.
It is important to note that water quality can change due to various factors, and real-time updates are available for beachgoers to check before planning a swim. Safeswim provides water quality forecasts that are updated every 15 minutes, helping people make informed decisions about their swimming locations.
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Water quality testing
Safeswim, an independent water quality programme, collects water samples from Auckland's beaches, including Mairangi Bay Beach on the North Shore, to assess the presence of faecal indicator bacteria. This bacteria indicates potential contamination from the faeces of warm-blooded animals, including birds, dogs, cows, and humans. The programme classifies beach water quality as "low-risk" or "high-risk," and its forecasts are updated every 15 minutes.
LAWA also conducts routine weekly testing during the summer months, particularly at river and lake sites, to check for toxic algae (cyanobacteria) and other potential hazards. Their long-term grades are based on the Hazen 95th percentile of sample results from the last five recreational bathing seasons, which began in 2019/2020. The data is used to assess water quality and provide predictions that are regularly updated to offer a 'real-time' assessment.
The water quality testing process involves collecting and analysing water samples for the presence of specific indicators, such as faecal indicator bacteria. These samples are typically collected fortnightly or weekly, depending on the organisation and the season. The results are then used to determine the risk level associated with swimming at a particular beach. While a "low-risk" classification does not guarantee the absence of bacteria, it indicates that the levels are generally low and unlikely to pose a significant health threat.
It is important to note that water quality can change rapidly due to various factors, including rainfall, tides, and stormwater overflows. Therefore, even beaches with good water quality may be unsafe for swimming for a few days after heavy rainfall due to potential urban or agricultural runoff. Additionally, unexpected pollution events or other hazards like strong currents, steep drop-offs, or underwater objects can also impact the safety of a beach. As a result, it is always advisable to check the latest water quality information and be aware of any potential risks before entering the water.
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Sewage spills
One notable incident occurred in September 2023, when the collapse of the Ōrākei main sewer caused a significant sewage spill into the Waitematā Harbour. This resulted in black alerts being issued for multiple beaches, indicating that swimming was not advised due to the high levels of faecal contamination.
To address the issue of sewage spills, organisations like Safeswim play a crucial role in monitoring water quality and providing real-time updates to the public. Safeswim collects water samples from local beaches every fortnight, testing for faecal indicator bacteria to assess the risk level for swimmers. This information helps beachgoers make informed decisions about their safety and well-being.
Additionally, efforts are being made to improve the management of sewage spills and reduce their occurrence. Watercare and Ngāti Whātua Ōrākei are engaging with environment system regeneration experts to discuss strategies for restoring the Waitematā Harbour and enhancing the overall health of the region's waterways. These collaborative initiatives aim to create a safer and more sustainable environment for both the community and the natural ecosystem.
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Cleanest beaches
Safeswim, a water quality programme, collects samples from Auckland's beaches to test for faecal indicator bacteria, which indicate potential contamination from warm-blooded animals. Beaches with high levels of faecal bacteria are deemed unsafe for swimming.
In December 2024, more than 30 Auckland beaches were labelled unsafe to swim due to faecal contamination. These included beaches along the North Shore's east coast, such as Ōrewa, Takapuna Beach, Milford Beach, Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, and Long Bay. Four inner harbour beaches, Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana, were also black-flagged due to wastewater overflow.
However, there are still some clean and safe beaches in Auckland. The following beaches have been labelled as safe to swim by Safeswim:
- Eastern Beach, Farm Cove, and Cockle Bay in East Auckland.
- Beaches south of Takapuna, including Narrow Neck, Cheltenham, and St Leonards Beach.
- Saint Heliers, Ōkahu Bay, Ōrākei, and Point England in the east of the city.
Additionally, Tāwharanui Regional Park is known for being one of the cleanest beaches to swim in Auckland. Devonport also received one of the cleanest bills of health in the region, with compliance of 93.8% of the time.
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Frequently asked questions
As of December 2024, 34 Auckland beaches were flagged as unsafe to swim in due to faecal contamination. These include beaches along the North Shore's east coast, such as Ōrewa, Takapuna Beach, Milford Beach, Browns Bay, Long Bay, Mairangi Bay, and more. Four inner harbour beaches, including Herne Bay, Home Bay, Judges Bay, and Te Tinana, were also black-flagged due to wastewater overflow.
The pollution in Auckland's beaches is often attributed to a combination of factors, including proximity to wastewater outlets, currents, and harbour location. Record levels of rainfall can also impact water quality, as was the case in the summer of 2023, when Auckland received unprecedented amounts of rain that overloaded the stormwater and wastewater networks.
Water quality is monitored by Safeswim, a water quality programme that collects samples from local beaches every fortnight. These samples are tested for faecal indicator bacteria, which come from the faeces of warm-blooded animals. The results indicate whether the water is low or high risk for swimming.
Yes, there are several beaches in Auckland that are considered safe for swimming. In East Auckland, Eastern Beach, Farm Cove, and Cockle Bay are labelled as safe. The five beaches south of Takapuna, including Narrow Neck, Cheltenham, and St Leonards Beach, are also marked as safe. Additionally, open ocean-facing beaches further from the city tend to have better water quality.
