'Put a towel around you': Singer, 26, claims she was told to leave a public swimming pool because her bikini was 'inappropriate'
- Woman took to Facebook after she was told her bikini was inappropriate to wear
- Yvette Harvie-Salter says she was told mums complained about her swimwear
- She was told to leave Albany Stadium Pool after she refused to cover up
- Auckland Council says it has no bans at its public pools regarding swimwear
A New Zealand woman has left furious after a duty manager at a swimming pool told her the bikini she was wearing was inappropriate.
Yvette Harvie-Salter said she was using the adults-only sauna and spa with her partner at Albany Stadium Pool in Auckland on Saturday when she was pulled aside by the for a private conversation regarding her black two piece.
'I just got kicked out of Albany Stadium Pool in the rudest, most unprofessional way,' Ms Harvie-Salter, 26, posted on Facebook.
Yvette Harvie-Salter (pictured) was told to cover at a public pool in Auckland on Saturday
'Apparently, the bikini I was wearing and have been wearing at the same pool for the past few months is not appropriate.'
'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.'
The young singer said she had been wearing the bikini at the pool for several months, which was bought at fashion retailer Glassons at a shopping centre across the road from the facility.
She claims she was told she had to leave after she refused to cover up.
She has been going to the pool three times a week for several years.
'Almost every day I'm there, a child s****s in the pool and it gets closed, I find that offensive,' Ms Harvie-Salter posted.
'The same mothers ignore or scream at their children, I find that offensive. When I tried to address management to get my money back, they all literally laughed about it, I find THAT offensive. They've just lost a valued customer.'
'This story wasn't supposed to be about me, it is about the injustice that was done regardless of who it was done to,' Yvette Harvie-Salter later posted
Her Facebook post was inundated with public support.
'This makes me really sad. I understand there's a line between inappropriate and body confidence - but that's a line I highly doubt you crossed. People should be taught to love the skin they are in, not taught to cover it up and be ashamed. I'm sorry you had to go through this,' one man commented.
A woman added: 'This is pure objectification, I'm sure you were looking happy and relaxed which is what was most offensive. Seeing a young woman confident in her body is obviously considered a crime, they just want you to get back in your box.'
Ms Harvie-Salter told Stuff she felt hurt by the incident.
Yvette Harvie-Salter has been going to Albany Stadium Pool (pictured) for three years
'She said 'well you've got to wrap up. You've got to put a towel around you if you are wanting to walk around wearing that bikini,' she said.
'It just feels like body shaming, really.'
In a statement to Daily Mail Australia, Rob McGee, head of active recreation at Auckland Council said he was disappointed to learn a customer was made to feel unwelcome at the pool she regularly uses.
'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,' he said
'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.'
Mr McGee stressed that she was never asked to leave.
'We will be contacting the customer directly to apologise and ensure she knows she is welcome back anytime,' he said.
'I can confirm there are no rules banning certain types of swimwear at Auckland Council pools.'
Daily Mail Australia has contacted Ms Harvie-Salter for further comment.
Ms Harvie-Salter posted on Sunday night that she's yet to receive the forementioned apology from Auckland Council.
'This story wasn't supposed to be about me, it is about the injustice that was done regardless of who it was done to,' she posted.
'Much love to you all and anyone who has felt objectified and/or felt like they haven't had a voice, no matter what sex, race, or affiliation.'
This is the black bikini from Glassons Yvette was wearing that was deemed too inappropriate
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