Auckland beaches are set to get a little safer this summer.
That's thanks to a forecasting programme that will provide real-time water-quality forecasts and public health alerts for 84 of the region's beaches.
The initiative is part of an ambitious plan by Auckland Council to improve water quality in the region.
It's not quite swimming weather yet, but soon thousands will be packing their togs, towels, and sunscreen.
Safeswim is a website that provides beachgoers with constantly updating information about a whole range of things they need to know.
"They can make informed choices at what's going on at their local beach," said Auckland Council chief operating officer Dean Kimpton.
"Is it safe to swim there today from a water-quality perspective? Have we got rips or tide issues, are there jellyfish?"
Even shark sightings are on the website, but a more common issue for Aucklanders has been water pollution.
"There's quite a lot of issues in times of infections, gastroinstritis, skin infections, ear and eye infections that people can get, if the water is contaminated," said Auckland Regional Public Health Service medical officer David Sinclair.
That's information that used to take days to be made public.
"We'd go out and sample after a weather event, we'd grab that information and 3-5-7 days later, that information would be made available to the public," said Mr Kimpton. "So we've closed that gap."
Surf Life Saving hopes it'll prevent drownings.
"Last year, our life guards rescued nearly 400 people, most of those in rip currents," said Surf Life Saving Northern Region operations manager Adam Wooler.
"So if people can become aware and use this website as an information point, that would be great."
There'll also be new signs on the patrolled beaches, like the forest-fire warnings we already know about.
Those signs start popping up from tomorrow and, longer term, the Safeswim website will give the Council data it needs to improve water quality.
Newshub.
