People are being advised not to swim, fish or gather shellfish in the lower Whakatāne River and near the river entrance following a wastewater discharge.
Whakatāne District Council said the discharge occurred after a sewer pipe was damaged during work to replace a stormwater culvert at 2 The Strand.
A temporary health warning is now in place while water quality testing is carried out.
Council is advising people to avoid contact with the water and not collect kaimoana from the affected area until the warning is lifted.
The warning could remain in place for up to a week, depending on sampling results, as tides and currents can influence water quality in the lower river and at the river entrance.
Council said it has notified the Pollution Hotline and is working with contractors to isolate the issue and complete repairs.
Warning signs are being installed, and water quality sampling is underway.
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