The 3m shark was spotted close to shore at Te Arai Pt in Auckland.

Takapuna Beach is closed after sewage flowed into the swimming area between the flags. Credit: Dean Purcell

Why can't we swim at so many Auckland beaches - and what's being done about it?

12 questions: Jennifer Dann talks to Auckland Council's water manager Andrew Chin.

Big waves that pose a risk to people have started to pummel West Coast beaches.

They were cooling off on a hot summer's day but a shark alert put paid to holiday plans.

The vessel disappeared after it ran out of fuel.

Whanganui mum Holly Toohill said she has nightmares about the day her son nearly drowned.

Police mystified about how the boat, spotted about 1.35pm, came to be upturned in water.

The Motukea woman who drowned at Maruia Falls on Saturday has been named.

Woman drowns at Maruia Falls in upper South Island.

Teenager Jacqueline Heta's quick actions saved the lives of three drowning children.

The 31-year-old went missing around 1pm on Sunday afternoon.

The coroner has now released her findings into the 2015 double drowning.

Drowning is the fourth biggest unintentional cause of death in New Zealand.

A body found in Lake Wanaka has been identified as a 26-year-old from Tauranga.

Emergency services were called to the scene just after 1pm.

A kayaker has died at a Bay of Plenty beach this afternoon.

Drowning Prevention Auckland speaks with Chief Executive Davin Bray at Westhaven.

The man has been named as 44-year-old Paul Johnston of Balclutha.

Several rescues have been made at Ocean, Waimarama and Waipatiki Beaches.

Parents have gone to court in Australia over whether he should be buried or cremated.

Four men rescued after getting blown out onto Lake Taupo in their cheap inflatable rafts.

The first weekend over summer had been a busy weekend for emergency services on the water.

Akhil Tangri died at Maori Bay, near Muriwai on Friday afternoon.

Numbers picking our most dangerous beaches show many of them are also our most popular.

Piha Surf Life Saver Jonathan Webber tells how to stay safe in the water this summer. Video / Michael Craig

The Swim Reaper will be targeting young men who mix alcohol and water sports this summer.

Swimmer saved after going missing in the mouth of a Manawatu river.

Maxwell McDonald has died after going for a swim on the West Coast during his birthday.