Media Centre

Water Safety New Zealand is investing $2million in water safety interventions in its 2019/20 Funding Round. Drowning is the leading cause of recreational death and the third highest cause of accidental death in New Zealand. In 2018 there were 66 preventable drowning fatalities. The five year average (2013 – 2017) is 82. New Zealand&rsq... Keep Reading

The official 2018 calendar year drowning toll is down significantly on 2017 but the number of preventable fatalities involving people over the age of 45 is on the rise and Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) says it’s a growing trend.  WSNZ has released it’s Drowning Prevention Report for 2018 in a new online interactive format w... Keep Reading

Think water safety this long weekend With heavy rain forecast for many areas of the country in the lead up to the long weekend Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is calling for people to take extra care around rivers and waterways.  “Anyone heading out into the outdoors for a walk, a hike, to hunt or to fish needs to be careful aroun... Keep Reading

Over 45’s underestimate drowning risk Ahead of the long weekend Water Safety New Zealand is warning New Zealanders aged over 45 that they have a distorted perception of the risk they face from drowning. Three years of surveying people around risk perception has revealed the 65+ age group perceive those aged 15 to 24 to be at the greate... Keep Reading

New Zealand’s 2018 preventable drowning toll might be the second lowest in 20 years but Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) says there is no room for complacency. The provisional toll is down from 92 in 2017 to 68 in 2018. This is the second lowest total on record after 2010 with 64. WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills says while the number is encouraging... Keep Reading

The inaugural Get Outdoors Week (GO Week) led by the Mountain Safety Council (MSC) and Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) is about encouraging families to get out and enjoy the great outdoors well prepared and informed. While concerns around safety may put some parents off heading out on an adventure, GO Week is about making sure people get the... Keep Reading

A renewed partnership between Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) and Māori is being celebrated at a special event on the Whanganui River. WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills will join Māori water safety advocate and educator Rob Hewitt and Te Taitimu Trust founder Zack Makoare for a powhiri and water safety workshop. 130 Māori youth will also be given the... Keep Reading

Holiday Period Drowning Toll Stands at Four Figures from Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) indicate the preventable fatal drowning toll for the official holiday period (running from 4.00pm 24th December 2018 to 6.00am 3rd January 2019) is four. "This is half of last years’ toll for the same period and whilst encouraging, one prevent... Keep Reading

Wishing for a Drowning Free Christmas Period As Kiwis head out in droves to enjoy New Zealand's beaches, rivers, lakes, swimming pools and other water spots this Christmas Surf Life Saving New Zealand, Coastguard and Water Safety New Zealand are urging people to think about water safety for themselves, friends and family. Water Safety New Ze... Keep Reading

Soaring numbers of inexperienced boaties are heading out to sea in Auckland concerning water safety advocates. Research* shows a dramatic increase in the numbers of new boat trailer registrations and a high percentage of boaties on the water with fewer than five years experience.   WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills says the figures are a concern ... Keep Reading

Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) will continue to focus its investment in drowning prevention on Water Skills for Life and it has also launched a new research fund to find new insights into this country’s drowning problem. Downing is the leading cause of recreational death, the second highest cause of death by unintentional injury for 1 – 24... Keep Reading

Water Skills for Life is all about kids having fun while they learn water safety. The national standard for aquatic education in primary schools, Water Skills for Life will be promoted to parents and caregivers on national television from early October 2018. The new TV commercial incorporates students from Titahi Bay primary school as the tal... Keep Reading

Water Safety New Zealand, Swimming New Zealand and The Warehouse are working to address a lag in vital water safety skills in New Zealand primary school children. Student achievement in Water Skills For Life is recorded in a national database and an analysis of the 1.7 million records has identified low levels of achievement across a number of... Keep Reading

Water Safety New Zealand has serious concerns about a lag in vital water safety skills in New Zealand primary school children. Student achievement across 27 skills of Water Skills For Life is recorded in a national database and an analysis of the 1.7 million records has identified low levels of achievement across a number of floating and... Keep Reading

Research by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has revealed over a third of kiwis have experienced a serious situation in the water, and continue to underestimate the danger posed by our waterways. In WSNZ’s third annual Attitudes and Behaviour survey drowning is recognised as a problem by 84% o... Keep Reading