PLEASE NOTE: As NRC reduces sampling outside the peak holiday period, data is only available for some sites (so do not bother reading on if you live/swim in Far North District). Any comments, please forward to Northland Regional Council
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.
Beach water quality for week starting 28 February:
Warning signs have been placed by District Councils at the following sites (please see all the results below):
- Pacific Bay
- Wellingtons Bay
- McLeod Bay
- Ngunguru estuary at Toilets
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:
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 |
|
10 |
| Mangawhai, Motorcamp foreshore | 101210 |
|
10 |
| Mangawhai Heads, Beach | 109890 |
|
<10 |
| Mangawhai Harbour, Picnic Bay | 110322 |
|
<10 |
| Mangawhai Harbour, at Pontoon | 110320 | No data | No data |
| One Tree Point | 109266 |
|
10 |
| Ruakaka, River | 108314 |
|
64 |
| Ruakaka, Beach | 108315 |
|
<10 |
| Uretiti Beach | 109888 |
|
<10 |
| Waipu Cove | 108316 |
|
<10 |
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Green:
Tutukaka
Full weekly results available below. View a map of the testing sites.
| LOCATION | Site No. | Status | Results |
| Church Bay | 105448 |
|
20 |
| Kowharewa Bay | 106444 |
|
31 |
| Matapouri, at first bridge (south bridge) | 100711 |
|
192 |
| Matapouri, at second bridge (north bridge) | 100712 |
|
53 |
| Matapouri, Beach | 110321 |
|
<10 |
| Ngunguru, at Motor Camp | 100073 |
|
<10 |
| Ngunguru, at Norfolk pine | 100076 |
|
<10 |
| Ngunguru, at toilets | 108320 |
|
>2005 |
| Pacific Bay | 108313 |
|
429 |
| Sandy Bay | 109879 |
|
<10 |
| Wellingtons Bay | 109880 |
|
384 |
| Whananaki, footbridge | 103147 |
|
20 |
| Whananaki, East beach | 106938 |
|
10 |
| Woolleys Bay | 109878 |
|
<10 |
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Orange:.jpg)
Red:
Whangarei Heads (including Onerahi and Pataua)
Full weekly results available below. View a map of the testing sites.
| LOCATION | Site No. | Status | Results |
| McLeod Bay, near toilets | 101254 |
|
478 |
| Ocean Beach | 109877 |
|
64 |
| Onerahi, at playground | 101600 |
|
20 |
| Pataua South, at footbridge | 102217 |
|
20 |
| Pataua South, East Beach | 104986 |
|
10 |
| Pataua South, Frog Town | 109887 |
|
10 |
| Taurikura Bay | 101262 |
|
10 |
| Urquharts Bay | 108311 |
|
<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
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
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