Over 20 beaches in Auckland remain unsafe for swimming after Friday's downpours washed sewage into the ocean.
With sunny weather predicted for the first few days of 2024, many Kiwis will be keen for a dip in the water - but Safeswim warns swimming in the water poses "a very high risk of illness".
It comes after only four beaches were swimmable on Saturday after significant rainfall overnight caused contamination of faecal bacteria.
Black-flag warnings, the highest risk, remain on several popular beaches including Mission Bay, St Heliers, Herne Bay, Kohimarama and Mellons Bay.
Parnell's Judges Bay also remains under a black-flag warning, despite being a popular place to lounge around in the summer.
One of the major polluters is the main sewer line that collapsed in Parnell in September, creating a 13-metre-deep sinkhole.
Several beaches remain red-flagged including Cockle Bay, Te Atatu Beach, Maraetai, and Farm Cove, where swimming is high-risk and not advised.
Safeswim urges people stay aware of the water quality at their destinations by checking online.
Those eager to get in the water for a late Sunday swim can head out to Browns Bay, Mairangi Bay, Point Chevalier, Lake Pupuke, and Bayswater - which are all deemed safe to swim at the moment.
Popular black-sand beaches on the west coast remain green, including Muriwai, Piha and Bethells Beach.
