An Auckland woman is expecting an apology from the council after being told by a staff member at her local public pool that she would have to change her swimwear to something more conservative.
Yvette Harvie-Salter was visiting the Albany Stadium Pool yesterday on Auckland's North Shore when she was approached by a female manager and quizzed about her bikini.
"A woman who is supposedly the duty manager today pulled me out of the spa whilst I was happily going about my day and told me that she needed to have a conversation with me in private.
"Apparently, the bikini I was wearing and have been wearing at the same pool for the past few months is not appropriate," she wrote in a Facebook post.
"Her exact words were that it's not a "rule" but a few of the mums have complained about it so I have to wear something more conservative.
"She asked me if I have any other bikinis at home and I do but they're all the same!" Ms Harvie-Salter said.
"I bought this bikini from Glassons, literally just across the road from the pool, and it's 2019!!! All the bikinis in the store look like this!," she said.
Having visited the pool for the past several years, Ms Harvie-Salter says she has no plans to go back.
"I have been going to this pool up to three times a week for the past couple of years and they've just lost a valued customer," she said.
The head of active recreation at Auckland Council, Rob McGee, told Stuff he was disappointed a customer was made to feel unwelcome at the pool she regularly used.
"On behalf of the lifeguard who spoke to the customer and the team at Albany, I would like to offer a sincere apology to the customer.
"We are sorry she was made to feel uncomfortable, and the lifeguard who passed on the feedback from other pool users now realises this wasn't the right thing to do," he said.
McGee said Ms Harvie-Salter, who rightly felt offended and upset, was given a refund and left the pool.
"She was never asked to leave, however we understand her decision.
"We will be contacting the customer directly to apologise and ensure she knows she is welcome back anytime," he said.
McGee said there were no rules banning certain types of swimwear at Auckland Council pools.
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