Vast majority of Auckland beaches not safe for swimming

The majority of beaches across Tāmaki Makaurau are once again unsafe to swim at, following yesterday's torrential rain.

Auckland Council's Safeswim website is currently showing all beaches city-wide have either a Red or Black warning.

(See below for which beaches are the worst affected).

The exceptions are the west coast beaches including Karekare, Piha, and Te Henga/Bethells, which are safe to swim at, but access is still reduced following slips and flooding in January and February.

A Black warning at a beach means there's a very high risk of illness, due to toxic levels of wastewater contamination in the water.

Meanwhile, a Red warning means swimming is not advised.

Aucklanders were not able to swim in the sea very much over the summer, with beaches regularly deemed unsafe, after the region was hit by flooding and cyclone Gabrielle.

Auckland Council Head of Planning for Healthy Waters Nick Vigar told AM earlier this year the main cause of contamination is stormwater, where heavy rain washes the contents of the footpaths and roads into the sea.

"You see what's on the footpath, bird and dog poo. So when the rain washes that off it heads into the sea," Vigar said.

However, unfortunately, people can not tell from looking at the water if it is contaminated, Vigar said.

So it's important to check Safeswim for updates before you swim here or at safeswim.org.nz.