Preliminary drowning figures show six people drowned in the Bay of Plenty during the first six months of 2014 - contributing to New Zealand's lowest mid-year drowning toll since records began in 1980.
The deaths are part of a national toll of 35 drownings for the year to June 30 and do not
include any deemed by the Coroner as drowning related.
The figure was down 35 per cent on the five-year mid-year average of 43 deaths.
Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge said the comparatively low number of drownings was a positive sign that water safety efforts were beginning to make a difference.
"It's promising to see the number of drownings are declining, especially for some of our high risk groups such as boaties, but there's no room for complacency. One drowning is one too many and if we are to continue to reduce the drowning toll, we need all New Zealanders to make water safety a priority."
