Staff shortages are forcing local pools to pull the plug, on normal operating hours

Auckland's Albany Stadium is temporarily reducing its opening hours, as it struggles to fill numerous lifeguard positions -- due to a combination of a tight labour market and staff sickness.

Council Leisure Services Manager, Gareth Dawson, says it's an issue many aquatic centres are dealing with across the country.

He says other short-term measures include limiting pool intakes, and adjusting the centre's programmes.

Dawson says they're looking for new ways to recruit and retain lifeguards, to fix the issue long-term.