New Zealand Water Safety Month is approaching halfway and tragically since the month started six people have fatally drowned in preventable incidents. “This is a shocking reminder of how many New Zealanders are needlessly losing their lives while in, on and around the water. Every fatality leaving a devastated family and community... Keep Reading
Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has undertaken a strategic refresh to get greater cut through with its Water Skills for Life aquatic education programme for children aged five to 13. Water Skills for Life is delivered to children in New Zealand primary schools. It is linked into the national education curriculum and gives children in years 1... Keep Reading
Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is investing $2.5 million in water safety interventions through its 2020/21 annual Funding Round. WSNZ is also very pleased to announce a new major partnership with ACC as the naming partner for its national standard for aquatic education, Water Skills for Life. WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills says working... Keep Reading
Kia Ora, I am writing to advise that after much consideration, I’ll be moving on from Water Safety New Zealand at the end of December 2020. Water Safety New Zealand is repositioning itself for the future, refreshing its strategic direction, and aligning with the pending launch of a new collective Water Safety Sector Strategy for the next... Keep Reading
Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has published final preventable drowning fatality and hospitalisation data in the Drowning Report 2019, as it considers the impact of COVID-19 on water safety. Drowning is the leading cause of recreational death and the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand. In 2019 there were 82... Keep Reading
Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has partnered with EdTech company, AgentBee, to increase international student awareness of water safety and prevent drownings. “Sadly, the data shows that international students in New Zealand are at particular risk of drowning” says WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills. “By working with AgentBee we can ensure that more... Keep Reading
The critical role the water safety sector plays in keeping kiwis safe in, on and around the water has been acknowledged in Budget 2020 by Finance Minister, Hon Grant Robertson. $60.5m has been allocated over the next four years to ensure New Zealand’s frontline rescue services, carried out by Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) and... Keep Reading
Will socio economics significantly impact drownings in a post Covid-19 environment? History tells us NO. WSNZ has run a lens over drowning fatality data to identify whether a depressed economy and unemployment is a significant risk factor for preventable fatal drownings in New Zealand. Keep Reading
A spike in underwater, rock fishing and boating incidents has seen New Zealand’s provisional preventable drowning toll jump back up to almost the five year average after a drop in 2018. Keep Reading
Children and teenagers jumping from bridges, road and rail bridges is an historic problem across New Zealand and sometimes can lead to tragic consequences. The story of Ngaruawahia and how the community came together following a double tragedy to try and find a solution, is one that should be replicated around the country. Keep Reading
It’s a fact that many New Zealanders enjoy boating and fishing. It’s also a fact that too many boaties are drowning unnecessarily. While the number dropped from 21 preventable boating fatalities in 2017 to just six in 2018, in 2019 the provisional number is back up to 18. Every one of these fatalities is a tragedy for a family and a community,... Keep Reading
A child’s ability to stay afloat and safe in the water is something every parent wants. ACC is working with Water Safety New Zealand to ensure children get the opportunity to learn vital water safety skills while they’re at primary school. Water Skills for Life gives children the skills and knowledge they need to assess risk and make wise... Keep Reading
The rescues at Ōtaki and Himatangi recently are a timely reminder as we head in to summer that we need to respect the water. While we all get excited at this time of year as the weather and water warms up, holiday season approaches and it’s time to hit the beach, it’s also critical that families think about water safety. The outcomes of... Keep Reading
Water Safety agencies join forces to tackle drownings at Hunua Falls Water Safety New Zealand, Auckland Council, Drowning Prevention Auckland and a number of Auckland water safety partners are working together this summer to prevent further drownings at popular summer spot, Hunua Falls. The Falls is one of the focus areas of the Auckland re... Keep Reading
It was fortunate for one family at Ōtaki Beach on Friday, November 29, that local Pete Housiaux was out walking his dog. If not for Pete’s surf-lifesaving skills, the family could have been mourning the loss of at least two boys this Christmas. Pete was at the beach about 4pm when he noticed three girls drifting in a rip. They managed to... Keep Reading
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