10 Nov 2023

Auckland beaches back open after sewage overflow

From Nine To Noon, 9:20 am on 10 November 2023

Just weeks after hundreds of millions of litres of sewage poured into the Waitematā harbour, Aucklanders are heading back to the beach.

The overflow was caused by a sinkhole which opened up at the back of Parnell property, blocking the Orakei Main sewer and pumping effluent into the harbour.

Some of city's most popular inner-city beaches that were off-limits during the overflow event have now got the green tick from Safeswim and are back open.

As Auckland heads into another weekend of brilliant sunshine, many will be checking the Safeswim app and grabbing their goggles, but others might not feel so confident.

Kathryn speaks to Nathaniel Wilson, Watercare's environmental care manager, and Auckland Council's Healthy Waters head of planning Nick Vigar.