Toi Te Ora Public Health

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Toi Te Ora Public Health

Toi Te Ora Public Health is the public health service for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts.

Toi Te Ora Public Health's vision is lifelong health and wellbeing for all. Our purpose is to improve, promote and protect the health of the communities in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts. Established in 1996, we are the public health service for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts. We are one of twelve local public health services across New Zealand as part of the National Public Health S

ervice, Health New Zealand | Te Whatu Ora. We focus on the achievement of health equity, in particular for Māori. Our dedicated public health team are located across our four offices in Tauranga, Rotorua, Whakatāne and Taupō. Read more about the work that we do - www.toiteora.govt.nz/about-us

Read our social media policy here - www.toiteora.govt.nz/social-media-policy

04/04/2025

A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Lake Rotoehu due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

This health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water.

These algal blooms have the capacity to release toxins into the water which can cause significant ill-health to anyone who has contact with the water. The toxins can affect the nervous system causing numbness and difficulty with breathing, and also sparking asthma attacks. Contact with the water can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems.

Signage advising the public about the algal bloom will be erected at the location by the local council.

Further information:
- Toxic algae: https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/public-health-alerts
- List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: https://www.tewhatuora.govt.nz/for-health-professionals/public-health-alerts

28/03/2025

A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Otautu Bay in Lake Rotoehu due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

This health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water.

These algal blooms have the capacity to release toxins into the water which can cause significant ill-health to anyone who has contact with the water. The toxins can affect the nervous system causing numbness and difficulty with breathing, and also sparking asthma attacks. Contact with the water can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems.

Signage advising the public about the algal bloom will be erected at the location by the local council.

Further information:
- Toxic algae: www.toiteora.govt.nz/public/recreational-water
- List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings

31/01/2025

A health warning has been lifted by the local Medical Officer of Health for Holden's Bay in Rotorua as test results confirm the algal bloom has subsided.

Despite the lifting of the warning, the public should always be cautious for signs of algal blooms. Algal blooms can develop rapidly and unpredictably and can sometimes produce toxins that are harmful for people as well as animals. If the water looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or has green or brown particles suspended in it then it is best to avoid contact with it.

Further information:

- List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings
- Toxic algae: www.toiteora.govt.nz/public/recreational-water

Rotorua Lakes Council

26/12/2024

A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Okawa Bay at Lake Rotoiti due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae.

This health warning means that people should avoid any activity which results in contact with the water.

These algal blooms have the capacity to release toxins into the water which can cause significant ill-health to anyone who has contact with the water. The toxins can affect the nervous system causing numbness and difficulty with breathing, and also sparking asthma attacks. Contact with the water can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems.

Signage advising the public about the algal bloom will be erected at the location by the local council.

Further information on toxic algae: https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/can-i-swim-here/toxic-algae

List of up-to-date health warnings: www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council Rotorua Lakes Council

23/12/2024

A health warning has been lifted for Lake Ohakuri and Lake Maraetai by the local Medical Officer of Health, with test results confirming the algal bloom has subsided.

Despite this, the public should always be cautious for signs of algal blooms. Algal blooms can develop rapidly and unpredictably and can sometimes produce toxins that are harmful for people as well as animals. If the water looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or has green or brown particles suspended in it then it is best to avoid contact with it.

List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: https://toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings

More information on toxic algae: https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/can-i-swim-here/toxic-algae

20/12/2024

A health warning has been issued by the local Medical Officer of Health for Holdens Bay in Lake Rotorua due to a bloom of potentially toxic blue-green algae. These algal blooms can readily move from one part of the lake to another.

Public health advice is to avoid any recreational activity that can result in significant contact with water. Avoid contact with water if it looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or if you see scum or leathery mats of algae.

These algal blooms have the capacity to release toxins into the water which can cause significant ill-health to anyone who has contact with the water. The toxins can affect the nervous system causing numbness and difficulty with breathing, and also sparking asthma attacks. Contact with the water can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems.

More information on toxic algae: https://www.lawa.org.nz/learn/factsheets/can-i-swim-here/toxic-algae

List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: https://toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings

Toi Moana Bay of Plenty Regional Council Rotorua Lakes Council

20/11/2024

New Zealand Food Safety (NZFS) is advising the public not to collect or consume shellfish gathered from parts of the Bay of Plenty or Coromandel regions due to the presence of paralytic shellfish toxins.

The warning extends from the southern end of Pauanui Beach down to the entrance of Tauranga Harbour, by Mount Maunganui. The warning also includes Tauranga Harbour.

Symptoms of paralytic shellfish poisoning usually appear within 10 minutes to 3 hours of eating and may include:

❌numbness and a tingling (prickly feeling) around the mouth, face, hands, and feet
❌difficulty swallowing or breathing
❌dizziness and headache
❌nausea and vomiting
❌diarrhoea
❌paralysis and respiratory failure and, in severe cases, death.

If anyone becomes ill after eating shellfish from an area where a public health warning has been issued, phone Healthline for advice on 0800 61 11 16, or seek medical attention immediately. You are also advised to contact your nearest public health unit and keep any leftover shellfish in case it can be tested.

For more information visit: https://toiteora.govt.nz/news/shellfish-biotoxin-warning-for-part-of-bay-of-plenty

15/11/2024

A health warning has been issued for Lakes Ohakuri and Maraetai.

These have both returned laboratory results showing high concentrations of cyanobacteria, or blue-green algae, following regular water sampling by Waikato Regional Council and in collaboration with Ngāti Tūwharetoa Iwi.

Avoid any recreational activity which results in significant contact with the water in these two lakes. Cyanobacteria can release toxins which may trigger:

- asthma and hayfever
- skin rashes
- stomach upsets
- neurological effects such as tingling around the mouth and fingers, headaches, breathing difficulties and visual problems.

For more information visit: https://toiteora.govt.nz/news/health-warning-issued-for-lakes-ohakuri-and-maraetai

06/11/2024

If you’re heading out to lakes and rivers across Rotorua and the Bay of Plenty this summer remember to check for algal blooms before going near the water.

Algal blooms can develop rapidly and unpredictably, and some release toxins which can be very dangerous if you swallow or come into contact with them.

Before heading to rivers and lakes look out for health warnings from www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings and www.lawa.org.nz, and keep an eye out for signage at recreational water locations.

You should avoid any recreational contact with lakes and rivers if they:

- look discoloured
- have an unusual smell
- have green or brown particles suspended in them, or
- have scum or leathery mats of algae on the surface or on the bottom of the waterway, or along the shoreline.

Algal bloom toxins can affect your nervous system, causing numbness and tingling round the mouth as well as breathing difficulties, and may spark asthma attacks. They can also cause skin rashes, stomach upsets and visual problems. If you or your child become unwell after contact with recreational water then call your doctor, or ring Healthline for free on 0800 611 116.

For more information visit: https://toiteora.govt.nz/news/look-out-for-algal-blooms-before-using-our-lakes-and-rivers-this-summer

26/07/2024

A health warning has been lifted for Lake Rotoehu by the local Medical Officer of Health, with test results confirming the algal bloom has subsided.

Despite this, the public should always be cautious for signs of algal blooms. Algal blooms can develop rapidly and unpredictably and can sometimes produce toxins that are harmful for people as well as animals. If the water looks discoloured, has an unusual smell, or has green or brown particles suspended in it then it is best to avoid contact with it.

For more information visit:
> List of up-to-date health warnings for the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts: www.toiteora.govt.nz/health-warnings
> Toxic algae: www.toiteora.govt.nz/public/recreational-water

15/07/2024

Know the signs of Cyanobacteria (blue-green algae) if you’re using waterways in the Bay of Plenty and Lakes districts this winter.

If the water looks discoloured, smells unusual, or if there is scum or leathery mats of black or brown algae on the surface of lakes or on the beds of rivers, it’s best not to enter the water or eat shellfish from the area.

✔️ If you think cyanobacteria is present keep yourself and your pets safe by avoiding all contact with affected water.
✔️ Levels of cyanobacteria can change quickly so it is important to check health warnings, nearby signage and any visible signs of blue-green algae before coming into contact with the water.
✔️ Do not take or consume trout that are found dead.
✔️ Ensure that trout caught in the affected areas are thoroughly gutted and rinsed in clean tap water before eating.
✔️ Do not eat shellfish or kōura from affected areas.
✔️ It is advised to err on the side of caution and avoid water activities including riverside fishing and duck shooting until you can confirm the water is safe.

If you have come into contact with affected water and have concerns about your health please contact your GP or Healthline on 0800 611 116. In an emergency call 111

For more information visit 👉 https://toiteora.govt.nz/news/know-the-signs-of-cyanobacteria-blue-green-algae-if-youre-using-waterways-in-the-bay-of-plenty-and-lakes-districts-this-winter

25/06/2024

The algal bloom-related health warning has been lifted for Ohau Channel, Te Weta Bay and the Kaituna River. Please note, though, that a warning remains in place for Lake Rotoehu.

Address

510 Cameron Road
Tauranga
3110

Website

http://www.toiteora.govt.nz/

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