Updated Health Warning – Unsafe Recreational Water Quality at Diamond Harbour | Te Waipapa, Purau Bay, Church Bay | Kaioruru, and Charteris Bay | Te Wharau
Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora has issued an updated health warning today after being advised by authorities on 7 February 2026 that there had been a discharge of untreated sewage into Diamond Harbour | Te Waipapa.
This health warning includes Diamond Harbour | Te Waipapa, Purau Bay, Church Bay | Kaioruru, and Charteris Bay | Te Wharau.
Dr Imogen Evans, Public Health Medicine Specialist for the National Public Health Service, says: “Water quality at the affected site 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 matter may contain a range of disease-causing micro-organisms such as viruses, bacteria and protozoa.”
Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke (Rāpaki) through the Rāpaki Tangata Tiaki have installed (as of 1700 hrs yesterday) a seven (7) day rāhui on the taking of kai moana within Whakaraupō. Eating shellfish, fish and other kai moana from Whakaraupō should be avoided.
Te Hapū o Ngāti Wheke are attempting to make to contact those with permits given over the last 24 hours and no further issuing of permits will occur during the seven-day rāhui or possibly beyond.
For further details visit:
https://www.lawa.org.nz/explore-data/canterbury-region
To contact your local National Public Health Service office visit:
https://info.health.nz/locations/canterbury/national-public-health-service-canterbury-west-coast
To keep up to date with current health warnings visit:
https://info.health.nz/health-alerts