Wednesday 26 March 2025Media release2 minutes to read
Health Warning lifted at Akaroa Main Beach, Tikao Bay/Ōkoropeke and Church Bay/Kaioruru
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora unit has lifted its health warning at Akaroa Main Beach, Tikao Bay/Ōkoropeke and Church Bay/Kaioruru.
Latest water testing results show faecal bacteria levels in Akaroa Main Beach, Tikao Bay/Ōkoropeke and Church Bay/Kaioruru are now below guideline values and the health warnings issued on the 21 March 2025 have been removed with the water at the beaches now suitable for recreational use.
Dr Claire Salter, Public Health Medicine Specialist, for the National Public Health Service, says “Rainfall in the area in the last week was the likely cause of the high levels of faecal bacteria.”
“This is great news for swimmers and other recreational water users at Akaroa Main Beach, Tikao Bay/Ōkoropeke and Church Bay/Kaioruru who would have been avoiding the water following the high levels of contamination,” Dr Salter says.
When a health warning is in place, water quality at affected sites is not considered suitable for recreational uses including swimming because of the risk to health from the bacteria and other pathogens.
Water contaminated by human or animal faecal matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria, and protozoa.
For further details visit: https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region/
Or contact the National Public Health Service on (03) 364 1777:
https://www.cph.co.nz/your-health/recreational-water/
For more information about Mahinga Kai:
https://www.cph.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/saf0112.pdf
ENDS
For further information, contact:
Karen Berry
Public Health Communications Lead, Te Waipounamu
National Public Health Service
Health New Zealand – Te Whatu Ora
021 139 7442
Page last updated: 26 March 2025
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