Warnings and Alerts

Active warnings and alerts for Canterbury region

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  Lake Opuha cyanobacteria warning

  8 MAY 2025 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY

  Issued: 8 May 2025 Caution advised – Cyanobacteria scums may be present. Please avoid direct contact with green coloured surface scums, as this may result in skin irritation.
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  Toxic algae warnings for cyanobacteria in rivers

  29 APR 2025 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY (GR)

  HEALTH WARNING UPDATE ISSUED BY TE MANA ORA/COMMUNITY AND PUBLIC HEALTH Submitted by Environment Canterbury (GR) River warnings are now in place for toxic algae (benthic cyanobacteria) in the: South Bank Tributary of the Waiau Uwha River above Waiau Bridge - from 10 February 2025 (current). The wa...
• Health Warning – Unsafe Water Quality

  28 MAR 2025 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY (MB)

  Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality  Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning after high levels of faecal bacteria were found in a samples taken from: Waiau Uwha River at SH70 Dr Claire Salter, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Ser...
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  Lake Hood

  20 MAR 2025 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY (GR)

  Health Warning – Algal Bloom in Lake Hood Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has issued a health warning after potentially toxic algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in Lake Hood People should avoid the Lake and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the health w...
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  Lake Forsyth/Te Roto o Wairewa cyanobacteria alert

  27 NOV 2024 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY (GR)

  27 November 2024: Algal Bloom in Te Roto o Wairewa/ Lake Forsyth Potentially toxic blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in Te Roto o Wairewa - Lake Forsyth People should avoid the lake and animals, particularly dogs, should not be allowed near the water until the bloom has cleared...
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  Te Waihora/Lake Ellesmere cyanobacteria warning

  5 MAR 2024 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY (GR)

  Update March 2024: Due to the high biomass of cyanobacteria in the lake the health warning is still current. 8 February 2022 to date Canterbury DHB’s Community and Public Health unit has issued a health warning after potentially toxic blue-green algae (planktonic cyanobacteria) was found in Te Waiho...
• Lake Rotorua - permanent cyanobacteria health warning

  6 MAR 2023

  Long term water testing indicates that there is a regular bloom of the potentially toxic cyanobacteria Anabaena and/or Microcystis present. There is a permanent health warning advising people to avoid contact with water at this lake. Environment Canterbury continues to monitor the lake on a regular...
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  St Annes Lagoon/Mata Kopae cyanobacteria warning

  7 JUL 2022 By ENVIRONMENT CANTERBURY

  Permanent Health Warning for Algal Bloom at Mata Kopae/St Anne’s Lagoon. Issued: 7 July 2022 Long term water testing indicates that potentially toxic cyanobacteria bloom periodically in Mata Kopae/St Anne’s Lagoon. There is a permanent health warning advising people (and animals) to avoid contact wi...