Preliminary figures from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) indicate the preventable fatal drowning toll for the official holiday period is three. The summer holiday period ran from 4.00pm Thursday 24 December 2020 through to 6.00am Tuesday 5 January 2021. Keep Reading

A collection and archive of news relating to Water Safety New Zealand and issues involving water safety, better water skills and drowning prevention. Keep Reading

After a difficult year New Zealanders will be keen to hit the beaches, lakes and rivers this holiday season and the predicted numbers have water safety advocates on edge. “While we want everyone to enjoy the summer break we need everyone to take some personal responsibility for their safety this summer,” says Water Safety New Zealand... 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

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

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

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

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

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