West coast shellfish ban lifted

Waikato and Auckland District Health Boards today lifted a public health warning advising people not to collect or consume shellfish from west coast beaches between Kawhia and Kaipara harbours.

The warning was issued last month after routine tests of shellfish showed levels of paralytic shellfish poisoning above the Ministry of Health's safe levels.

The boards said that regular testing of shellfish would continue to ensure that any increases in toxin levels were detected.

- NZPA