National Drowning Prevention Report 2024 highlights the need for sustained investment in prevention programmes alongside critical support for frontline rescue services.
By adopting fresh thinking and innovative approaches, we can lessen the human and economic impact of drowning while easing the pressure on rescue services, and build on the progress already made. While challenges remain, the 2024 National Drowning Report findings show that with commitment and collaboration, significant further reductions are within reach.
The lowest since 2018 and 13% below the 10-year average of 82.7
Emphasising the need for targeted interventions for over-25s, and ongoing sustained focus on education for young New Zealanders.
High-risk locations demand focused prevention efforts.
39% of drowning fatalities in Auckland occurred at identified blackspot locations
Consistent with previous years, males account for the majority of drowning fatalities, reflecting their higher participation in and exposure to activities on and under the water.
"Other" ethnicities have the highest drowning rate at 6.46 per 100,000, followed by Māori at 1.76, Asians at 1.54, and Pasifika at 1.44. NZ Europeans have the lowest rate at 0.83 per 100,000.
Drowning fatalities among 15-24-year-olds dropped to 4 in 2024, significantly below the 10-year average of 12.8 deaths.
This age group had the highest number of drownings in 2024 with 42 fatalities, a 20% increase compared to the 10-year average of 35. Adults make up 40% of New Zealand's population but accounted for 58% of all drowning fatalities.
Coast (36%), Tidal (24%) and Rivers (19%) were the most challenging environments.
Slips & falls (28%), Craft (25%) and Swimming/'playing in the water' (25%) made up 78% of all fatalities.
New Zealand has made significant strides in reducing drowning rates, now at 1.35 per 100,000 people. However, recent trend analysis suggest a plateau, signalling the need for innovative strategies and increased resources to maintain momentum.
Sustained efforts in water safety education, such as the Water Skills for Life™ programme, have contributed to a significant reduction in drowning rates among under-25s, who account for just 12% of fatalities (31% of the population).
Ten blackspots, high fatality areas, were responsible for 18% of drownings in 2024. Focused, community-driven interventions are critical to address these high-fatality areas.
With 94% of craft-related fatalities involving individuals not wearing lifejackets, a nationwide mandate for lifejacket use on watercraft is urgently needed.
Alcohol remains a factor in 30–40% of drownings, highlighting the need for campaigns addressing risky behaviours around water.
The economic burden of drowning fatalities, hospitalisation and injuries in 2024 exceeded $1 billion, reinforcing the urgent need for prevention-focused investment.
The 2024 report identifies three key areas for focused action to reduce drownings:
72 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
11 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 82.7 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
72 people lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. This is 13% less than the 10-year average of 82.7 drowning fatalities.
2 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
3 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 5.1 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Moments of distraction or lapses in supervision remain key contributors to incidents in this age group. Effective safety measures, including the use of barriers and alarms around water, have proven effective but must continue to be enforced and expanded.
In 2024, both pre-schoolers drowned slipping or falling into water. One at home and one at a river.
3 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
Same number of lives lost compared to the 10 year average.
On average 3.0 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Many incidents occur during unsupervised swimming or accidental falls into water. While learning basic aquatic skills (like Water Skills for Life™) and school-based education programmes (like Water Skills for Life™-Beach and River) have helped reduce risks, there remains a need for greater awareness of the hazards posed by natural waterways.
4 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
9 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 12.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Young Adults often engage inrecreational activities such as swimming, diving (jumping/Manu), and social gatherings near beaches and rivers, where they may underestimate risks or overestimate their swimming abilities. Alcohol use during these activities remains a contributing factor.
42 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
7 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 35.0 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Adults make up 40% of New Zealand’s population but account for 58% of drowning fatalities in 2024. Complacency or familiarity with water environments often leads to neglect of basic safety precautions, such as wearing life jackets. Alcohol use is also a contributing factor in many incidents.
21 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
6 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 26.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
In 2024 drownings among Older Adults predominantly occurred in tidal waters (10) or on the coast (7) and were strongly linked to kai gathering activities. Physical limitations or underlying medical conditions, including reduced agility and slower reaction times, increase the likelihood of incidents. Isolation can also play a role, as many incidents involve individuals alone at the time of the event.
Representing 19% of all drownings for the year.
Decrease from the 10-year average of 19.6 fatalities annually.
Males accounted for 79% of 2024 fatalities in river environments.
Slips and falls related incidents were the leading cause of drowning death in rivers, 6 deaths (43%).
Representing 36% of all drownings for the year.
Decrease from the 10-year average of 30 fatalities annually.
Males accounted for 77% of all 2024 fatalities in coastal environments.
Swimming-related incidents were the leading cause of drowning death, 13 deaths. Geographically, 20 of the 26 fatalities occurred in temperate regions from Bay of Plenty to Northland, where warmer climates connect to higher levels of recreational water activity.
Over the past decade coastal drowning fatalities have stubbornly plateaued at an average of 30 deaths per year. This persistence indicates that existing interventions are not effectively reducing the overall trend.
Representing 12% of all drownings for the year.
Craft incidents accounted for 78% of all offshore environment fatalities.
Males accounted for 100% of all 2024 fatalities in offshore environments.
Most offshore fatalities in 2024 were linked to craft-related activities, accounting for 78% (7 fatalities). Slips and falls and underwater activities each contributing 1 fatality.
All offshore fatalities involved males aged 25-64,highlighting the heightened risks faced by adult males engaging in offshore activities.
Representing 24% of all drownings for the year.
5 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
Males accounted for 88% of all 2024 fatalities in tidal environments.
The sharp rise of 42% compared to the 10-year average underscores the risks in tidal areas and highlights the need for localised safety interventions. Annual figures for tidal fatalities have shown significant volatility, with fatalities jumping from 4 in 2023 to 17 in 2024, reflecting the unpredictable nature of this environment and the challenges of effective safety planning.
20 people lost their life in slips & falls drowning deaths in 2024.
11 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 31.1 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Slips and falls is a broad category capturing preventable drownings that don't fit into other recreation-focused categories.
The 20 drownings in 2024 were:
* 15 unexpected falls into water - mostly in urban areas
* three fatalities where the deceased was in the water already (usually in a baths and 'slipped under' the water). This includes unsupervised young children or a medical event for older adults
* two fatalities resulted from entering the water to rescue others.
18 people lost their life in swimming drowning deaths in 2024.
1 more person lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 16.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Swimming-related drownings often occur very close to land, in shallow water. Most swimming-related drownings over the past decade were people not intending to be 'out of their depth' in water. Swimming at surf beaches away from lifeguards - lifeguards not present at the beach, outside of lifeguard patrol hours or choosing to swim outside of the flagged area at a beach that is being patrolled - is a persistent characteristic of New Zealand's swimming drownings.
18 people lost their life in craft drowning deaths in 2024.
3 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 14.6 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
Eleven of the 2024 craft-related drownings occurred 'near shore' with five fatalities (27%) resulting from capsize as people crossed a bar at the entrance to a harbour or river. Seventeen (94%) of those who drowned in craft-related incidents in 2024 were not wearing a lifejacket. Most victims of craft-related drowning over the past decade may have survived if they had been wearing a lifejacket.
7 people lost their life in fishing from land drowning deaths in 2024.
1 more person lost their life compared to the 10 year average.
On average 5.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
2024 is the sixth year in a row where drownings associated with this activity have exceeded the 10-year average. This highlights increasing drowning risk associated with this activity.
4 people lost their life in fishing from underwater activity deaths in 2024.
4 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 7.9 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
In 2024, all underwater drownings related to free diving activity and all were men.
2 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
3 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 5.1 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
2 people in the 'Pre School Life Stage' lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. 3 less (-61%) than the 10 year average of 5.1
3 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
Same number of lives lost compared to the 10 year average.
On average 3.0 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
3 people in the 'School Life Stage' lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. The same as (0%) the 10 year average of 3.0
4 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
9 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 12.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
4 people in the 'Young Adult Life Stage' lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. 9 less (-69%) than the 10 year average of 12.8
42 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
7 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 35.0 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
42 people in the 'Adult Life Stage' lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. 7 more (+20%) than the 10 year average of 35.0
21 people lost their life in drowning deaths in 2024.
6 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 26.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
21 people in the 'Older Adult Life Stage' lost their lives in drowning deaths in 2024. 6 less (-22%) than the 10 year average of 26.8
20 people lost their life in slips & falls drowning deaths in 2024.
11 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 31.1 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
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18 people lost their life in swimming drowning deaths in 2024.
1 more person lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 16.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
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18 people lost their life in craft drowning deaths in 2024.
3 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 14.6 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
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7 people lost their life in fishing from land drowning deaths in 2024.
1 more person lost their life compared to the 10 year average.
On average 5.8 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
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4 people lost their life in fishing from underwater activity deaths in 2024.
4 less people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
On average 7.9 people lose their lives to drowning every year.
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Representing 19% of all drownings for the year.
Decrease from the 10-year average of 19.6 fatalities annually.
Males accounted for 79% of 2024 fatalities in river environments.
Slips and falls related incidents were the leading cause of drowning death, 6 deaths (43%).
Representing 36% of all drownings for the year.
Decrease from the 10-year average of 30 fatalities annually.
Males accounted for 77% of all 2024 fatalities in coastal environments.
Swimming-related incidents were the leading cause of drowning death, 13 deaths. Geographically, 20 of the 26 fatalities occurred in temperate regions from Bay of Plenty to Northland, where warmer climates connect to and higher levels of recreational water activity.
Representing 12% of all drownings for the year.
Craft incidents accounted for 78% of all offshore environment fatalities.
Males accounted for 100% of all 2024 fatalities in offshore environments.
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Representing 24% of all drownings for the year.
5 more people lost their lives compared to the 10 year average.
Males accounted for 88% of all 2024 fatalities in tidal environments.
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Categories of drowning records are used for data analysis and insights. Understanding where, who, and what people were doing for drowning fatalities is critical to improving water safety initiatives and drowning prevention strategies.
Include locations along the shoreline, characterised by varying water conditions such as waves, tides, and currents. Sub-categories within each environment detail the nature of the risks within each location.
Environments located beyond the immediate coastline, characterised by open water and varying depths.
River/Harbour Bar areas where rivers meet harbours, where a (often moveable) ridge makes the water depth shallower, known for strong currents and unpredictable conditions.
Flowing water environments, ranging from large rivers to smaller creeks and streams, often subject to flooding and strong currents.
Enclosed or semi-enclosed water bodies with little or no movement, often used for recreational or agricultural purposes.
Artificial, enclosed water structures primarily used for recreational swimming.
DrownBase records the variety of different pool structures as: Home Pools, Hotel/Motel Pools, Institution Pools, Portable Pools, Public Pools, School Pools, Spa Pools, Thermal Pools.
Craft can be classified into two broad categories – powered and non-powered.
Classifications of craft are: Crafts over 4-metres and under4-metres, Jet Boat, Fixed Keel Boat, Offshore Sailing, Sailing Dinghy, TrailerSailer, Windsurfing, Canoeing, Kayaking, Rafting, Rowing Craft / Dinghy StandUp Paddle boarding, and Jet Ski.
Sub-categories within Other Recreation are: Board Riding,Boogie Boarding, Diving/Jumping, Rescuing Others, River Crossing, Tubing /Canyoning, Water Skiing.
Involve unintentionally becoming underwater without intending to. Sub-categories include 'Slipped Under' where the person was in the water but was not taking part in a recreational water activity, such as a child in a bath.
Activities occurring under the water.