Call to share stories for World Drowning Prevention Day

Water Safety New Zealand and ACC have marked World Drowning Prevention Day with a call for the public to share stories about their experiences in, on, or around the water.

Water Safety New Zealand and ACC have marked World Drowning Prevention Day with a call for the public to share stories about their experiences in, on, or around the water.

The theme for the global day, on July 25 this year, is “Your Story Can Save A Life”, to encourage people to speak openly about their experiences.

In the first six months of this year, 38 people across Aotearoa, including a person from Gisborne/Tairawhiti, drowned in preventable incidents according to Water Safety New Zealand, while 74 people lost their lives by drowning in 2024.

Last year was the lowest annual toll since 2018 and a 14% drop from the 10-year average.

Water Safety New Zealand interventions lead Esther Hone (Ngāpuhi) said in a statement that the reduction was encouraging, but the risks remained real.

“We are making progress, particularly with our tamariki, but every life lost is one too many.

“World Drowning Prevention Day is a chance to speak up, share our stories, and help shape a culture where water safety is second nature. We believe every child deserves the knowledge, experience, and confidence to survive in the water - not just swim in it.”

According to Water Safety New Zealand, an average of 86 New Zealanders have drowned every year since 2014 in incidents that could have been prevented.

Water Safety New Zealand said preventable behaviour included not wearing a lifejacket, entering the water alone, consuming alcohol and other drugs, or underestimating conditions.

In the Gisborne region, ACC accepts around 50 water-related injuries every year, which cost about $50,000 in total to help people recover.

Annually, ACC accepts about 4500 claims for water-related injuries nationwide, costing $13.5 million to help people recover.

ACC injury prevention leader James Whitaker said World Drowning Prevention Day was an opportunity to be more mindful of the risks in and around the water.

“A drowning is a devastating event for any whānau and community, and our hearts go out to every family who has lost a loved one.

“Most of these tragic drownings are preventable if we take the time to consider the risks.”

Water Safety NZ’s water safety code - Five simple ways to survive:

• Know how to float
• Find the safest place
• If in doubt, stay out
• Take care of yourself and others
• Know how to get help