Water activity isn’t allowed, but are we resisting the temptation to jump in?

If you were thinking about going swimming, surfing or fishing during lockdown, think again.

All water-based activities have now been ruled out by the Ministry of Health but are New Zealanders resisting temptation?

Maritime Police in Wellington are regularly patrolling the harbour to make sure people are sticking to the rules.

“If we get a lot of residents calling us in regards to whether they see a boat or a swimmer or a kayaker, they will call us and we’ll go out and respond,” says Senior Sergeant Dave Houston from the Wellington Police Maritime Unit.

“If it’s a nice day, we will go out and just check the waterfront.”

Maritime Police are looking for people both in the water and on the shore.

“Our sort of area of operation is the waterfront as well, so we’ll be looking at the waterfront, just seeing if people are actually engaged in activities there and we’ll report back as to how crowded it is,” says Senior Sergeant Houston.

Although the team hasn’t made any arrests yet, a few people have been told off.

“We’ve had several boats who are wanting to cross the Cook Strait or going to the Marlborough Sounds to get across there, trying to deem that as essential travel”, he says.

“We’re aware of some people trying to dive at night time and we will be monitoring it."

Compared to the same time just a week ago when lockdown began, Senior Sergeant Dave Houston says the waterfront has quietened down.

“Fingers crossed, let’s hope that continues.”