Swimming & Recreation
The region's rivers, streams, lakes, and beaches are a great source of joy for locals and visitors alike, drawing anglers, kayakers, swimmers, and families to their cool embrace.
That’s why, every year between November and April, Horizons assesses recreational water quality at over 80 sites on behalf of Public Health Officers at Te Whatu Ora Health NZ. These results are published on the LAWA website so communities can make informed decisions before entering the water.
Can I swim here?
Check out swim spot monitoring results for over 80 popular river, lake, and beach sites across the Horizons Region.
Staying safe around water
Learn ways to keep you and your whānau safe when playing in, on, and around the water.
Boating safety essentials
Whatever your waka, find heaps of safety tips and tools for heading out on the water.
What we sample
E. coli and enterococci
These bacteria are commonly found in the gut of warm-blooded animals and people. However, elevated levels of these bacteria indicate faecal (poo) contamination of the water, suggesting other disease-causing bacteria, viruses, and protozoa might also be present, increasing the risk that people playing in and on the water could become sick.
These bacteria enter waterways through animal and bird droppings, overland flow, and wastewater and stormwater discharges.
Potentially toxic algae
There are two forms of potentially toxic algae that Horizons monitors: benthic cyanobacteria and planktonic cyanobacteria.
Benthic cyanobacteria are found in rivers. These algae grow as dark brown or black mats attached to the rocks and stones on the riverbed.
The mats can detach from the riverbed and wash up along the banks, where dogs and children can easily access them. They produce a deep, earthy smell that attracts dogs, who are keen to ingest it.
Planktonic cyanobacteria are found in lakes. These algae are free-floating (suspended in the water column), which can make the water murky or cloudy.
Planktonic cyanobacterial “blooms” are generally green in colour and can give lakes a ‘pea soup’ appearance. These can also form visible green to red films or ‘scums’ on the water’s surface, especially at the water’s edge.
Unlike benthic cyanobacteria in rivers, we can’t tell if planktonic cyanobacteria are potentially harmful just by looking at the lake. We need to examine water samples under a microscope to determine if the algae present are toxic species.
Water quality is just one aspect to consider before playing in or on the water. It does not outweigh any other water safety factors.
LAWA Land Air Water Aotearoa
The Land Air Water Aotearoa website (LAWA) publishes Regional and Unitary Councils’ weekly recreational water quality results over summer. Communities can check out their favourite swimming spot on LAWA to see if the results show the quality of the water is safe to play in.
LAWA grades weekly monitoring results according to the following traffic light system:
Green: Suitable for swimming
Amber: Caution advised
Red: Unsuitable for swimming
Stay safe around our waterways Always follow the Swim Smart Checklist
Rivers and oceans can be powerful, unpredictable, and can change. Always follow LAWA's Swim Smart Checklist before entering the region's waterways.