A broken sewer main has polluted the Waipu estuary, south of Whangarei and Whangarei District Council is warning people not to swim there or gather shellfish.
It says the sewer near McLeans Bridge has spilled 40 cubic metres of sewage into a paddock and stream flowing into the Waipu River.
The break's now been repaired but the council says people should stay out of the water in the estuary or the bay, for one kilometre on either side of the river mouth, for two days.
It says the same applies to fishing.
