25 Dec 2022

Sorry, Christmas visitors - this beach is full

3:56 pm on 25 December 2022
Long Bay Beach, which is still a patrolled beach

Photo: RNZ / Gill Bonnett

Auckland's Long Bay Regional Park has reached capacity today after thousands of beach-goers fill the area.

"People are being turned away, so save yourself the journey and enjoy your afternoon elsewhere," police said in a statement.

The popular north Auckland beach is a mainstay of holiday visitors.

Police would also like to remind the community the importance of keeping safe in and around the water with these tips:

  • Make sure you actively supervise kids around water as things can change in an instant.
  • When swimming at the beach, swim between the flags, they are there to keep you safe and watch out for rips in the water.
  • Whether diving, swimming or boating, it is vital that you avoid alcohol.
  • Alcohol and water don't mix and can have fatal consequences.

"We want everyone to come home to their whānau after a day enjoying the water," police said.

"There are many things we can all do to stay safe this summer to drastically reduce the risk of drownings."

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