Community Resources

Paddleboarding is an increasingly popular recreational activity across New Zealand, but how do you stay safe whilst out on the water? Below are some safety guidelines from New Zealand Standup Paddling Inc. NZSUP inc organises the national race championships and teams for international events, overs... Keep Reading

Water safety is a salient aspect of Waka Ama across clubs and competitions and Water Safety New Zealand is pleased to support Waka Ama and the whanau, to embed water safety and Kia Maanu Kia Ora within the community. These great short videos provide a wide range of safety information. Keep Reading

Water Safety New Zealand supports the Fit, Check and Signal grass-roots campaign run by NZ Underwater Association, to promote self-awareness, behavioural change and best practice for underwater divers. Applicable to all scuba divers and specifically those snorkeling or diving for food and the rapidly growing spearfishing community, this campai... Keep Reading

This Water Safety Signs colouring in template is a great way to teach children what to look for when assessing risk in, on or around water. Keep Reading

Here's 8 ways to keep babies and toddlers safe around water. Introducing children to water in ‘fun’ ways, in the familiar surroundings of their own home can help children learn to enjoy water safely throughout their lives. Start this from birth. Keep Reading

New Zealand rivers are changeable and unpredictable and can contain hidden dangers. Look before you leap. Check for hidden objects and swimming holes can change depth summer to summer and currents can move objects underwater. Near dams water levels and flows can change significantly throughout the day and massive flows may be released at any... Keep Reading

New Zealand is a boaties’ paradise with over15,000 km of coast, waterways and lakes. Nearly half of all adult Kiwis go boating each year with their friends and families. Therefore, it’s vital that if you own a boat, you know how to prepare your boat, check your gear and understand the rules. If you’re new to boating, learn the lingo and... Keep Reading

Water safety and awareness includes knowing what an emergency in, on or around the water looks like, knowing what the Water Safety code, knowing how to identify water risks around the home, the farm, pool, beach, river and lake. Understanding what hypothermia is, how to recognise it and what you do to treat it. Keep Reading

Identify a rip by; discoloured or murky brown water caused by sand stirred up off the bottom; a smoother surface with much smaller waves, with waves breaking either side; debris floating out to sea; a rippled look, when the water around is generally calm. If in doubt. Stay out of the water.   Keep Reading

Water Skills For Life is the national standard for aquatic education for children in Years 1 - 8 in New Zealand schools. Water Skills For Life was developed for the advancement of aquatic education, the promotion of recreation and health, and for drowning prevention. Based on evidential international and national research, the initiative... Keep Reading

Each year adults and children drown in New Zealand waters that may have been saved if they had been wearing a lifejacket. It is a legal requirement that you must carry a correctly sized life jacket for each person on board a vessel. All lifejackets must meet NZ Standard 5823:2005 or another standard accepted by Maritime NZ. Keep Reading

How to be Safe Kayaking Be Safe – Be Seen These fun boats are common on lakes, rivers and around the coast. Used properly, they 
are very safe, but their limitations need to be understood. When kayaking in areas used by other craft, make sure you will be seen. A kayak can be almost invisible to skippers of other craft. Wearing brigh... Keep Reading

Diving With care and appropriate training diving is a safe and enjoyable activity – but for those who take risks it can quickly become life threatening. Always investigate and confirm that conditions are safe before diving. Consider currents, wind, tides, swell, boat traffic, alternate/emergency exits, and ability to obtain medical aid... Keep Reading

New pool safety legislation came into effect on 1 January 2017. The Building (Pools) Amendment Act 2016 repeals the Fencing of Swimming Pools Act 1987 and includes new provisions in the Building Act 2004 relating to residential pools. Keep Reading

Pools provide wonderful opportunities for teaching young children water safety and swimming skills and are often the central hub for family and friends to gather and have fun. Unfortunately, pools are also potentially dangerous places, particularly where young children are concerned.  Keep Reading