A spike in people drinking and swimming has prompted a warning from Surf Lifesaving New Zealand.
On Christmas night a surfer at Mount Maunganui had attempted to test the waters while intoxicated. Photo: 123rf
Surf Lifesaving's Education Manager Alan Mundy said while swimmers are adhering to rules and swimming between the flags, there have been a few instances of people surfing and drinking.
On Christmas night a surfer at Mount Maunganui had attempted to test the waters while intoxicated.
He said it's lucky the surf wasn't so big, adding that if it had been any bigger there could've been a much worse outcome.
Surf Lifesaving New Zealand says the busiest beaches right now tend to be around the East Coast.
East Coast manager Chris Emmett said the busiest spots tend to be in the Coromandel at Cathedral Cove, Hot water Beach, and Whangamata.
He said it was a busy Christmas Day in Christchurch with 36 rescues - 34 were assisted rescues and two were people who had gotten into trouble swimming outside the flags.
The busiest beaches were New Brighton and Waikuku beaches.