If you notice a helicopter buzzing around your favourite beaches this summer, don’t be alarmed - it’s all part of Auckland Council’s Safeswim beach water quality monitoring programme.

We will be regularly collecting water samples at dozens of beaches across the region to ensure they are safe for swimming.

Generally, the water quality of Auckland’s bathing beaches is good and meets New Zealand health guidelines.

However, this can change if there is heavy rain or if pollutants enter our waterways.

As a general rule, you should wait 48 hours after heavy rain before swimming at beaches.

To check the regular results, visit the council’s Safeswim web page.