Auckland's North Shore locals should remain out of waterways until tomorrow night - following last night's recycling plant fire

An emergency alert notified residents at about 9.15 of the mammoth blaze - which sent plumes of toxic smoke across the city.

The clean up process is underway - with Fire and Emergency confirming the fire no longer poses a hazard.

Auckland Councillor Richard Hills asks people to stay out of the water at Milford Beach, Wairau Estuary and Castor Bay.

He says that's where the most risk of contaminated material will be - as while it's diluted, there could still be a risk to people's health.