Sanitary products have appeared on two Auckland beaches, leaving locals concerned they may have to be closed over summer.
What appeared to be used tampons and liners were found strewn across Home Bay and Sentinel Beach.
Karen Withers first noticed the sanitary products on the beaches over the weekend.
"[Sunday] morning when I was walking the dogs on Home Bay I noticed them, and then went to Sentinel Beach, which is the next one over, and it was worse," she said.
"I am concerned because of this we might get closed beaches over summer."
She's frustrated sewage problems at other Auckland beaches appear to be spreading.
"At Cox Bay there's a history, so obviously people don't swim there, so I accept that - but I don't know about Herne Bay beaches."
Waitemata and Gulf Ward councillor Mike Lee said stormwater is contaminated so often, it has become normal in the western bays - but that doesn't make it acceptable.
"It's quite appalling and unacceptable, and [has been] going under the radar for some time."
He suspects the Auckland Unitary Plan may make things worse.
"In the western bays there's not the stormwater or sewage capacity to manage this."
The sewage made it inevitable the beaches will "absolutely" be closed, he said.
Newshub.
