About Us 2025

Water is part of who we are as New Zealanders. From oceans and beaches to lakes and rivers, our connection to water helps shape life in Aotearoa. It’s where we play, gather kai, explore – and it’s deeply ingrained in our identity.

But with this connection, comes risks. Sadly drowning and water-related injuries remain far too common in New Zealand.

Water Safety New Zealand works to change this. Through leadership, advocacy and education, we partner with water safety organisations, individuals, communities and the public to reduce drownings and water-related injury in Aotearoa New Zealand.

Our work contributes to the reduction in drownings and to a thriving society for individuals, families and communities.

Our vision and purpose

More New Zealanders respect the water, and have the skills, knowledge and awareness to enjoy it safely.

We inspire people and communities to build lifelong water skills, ensuring everyone can safely enjoy Aotearoa’s waterways.

‍

Through our work:

More people will empower others to champion safe water experiences and influence others to have stay safe in, on or around water.
More people will come to respect the power of water and know their own ability to manage theirs and other’s water experiences.
More babies, toddlers and preschoolers will be nurtured around water by the people they trust.
More school-age children will learn water skills for life.
More young people will be exposed to water skills and pathways to water sports, volunteering and work experiences around water.
More new New Zealanders and visitors to Aotearoa will adopt the Kiwi culture of being respectful of the water and conditions, and be water-wise.

How we make a difference

Water Safety New Zealand leads the way in keeping communities safe in and around water. We provide leadership, advocate for change, shape national policy, and distribute funding to support water safety across Aotearoa.

We are an association of members in the water safety sector with an elected board and a dedicated administration team. It is an incorporated society with charitable status.

The majority of our funding comes The New Zealand Lotteries Grants Board via Sport New Zealand, for distribution to water safety providers through our annual grants round. Water Safety New Zealand is funded by Sport NZ. ACC, businesses, trusts, foundations and individuals support specific initiatives and programmes.

Our legacy

New Zealanders have a special connection with the water. To help us celebrate our 75 years, we'd love to hear your stories. Help us piece together what 75 years of respecting and enjoying the water means to you.

Thank you! Your submission has been received!

Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

1949

October, 1949

National Prevent Drowning Campaign Committee established

The Prevent Drowning Publicity Campaign in summer 1949/1950 was New Zealand's first national focus on water safety.

The Committee included representatives from the Department of Internal Affairs, the National Committee of Swimming and Life Saving, the Education Department, the Department of Health, and the Prime Minister’s Department. 💸

1955

Late 1955

National Water Safety Council established

The Council was a reconstituted form of the National Committee of Swimming and Life Saving.
‍
The council co-ordinated the publicity of the Prevent Drowning Committee and sought to integrate the work of the Amateur Swimming Association, Royal Life Saving Society, and the New Zealand Surf Life Saving Association, into a ‘National Scheme.' 💸

1987

Pool Fencing Act 1987

The Act was highly effective at preventing child deaths in swimming pools. It prescribed that swimming pools must be surrounded with fences with self-closing access points. This is an effective means of preventing children from drowning in swimming pools because it requires no further intervention from a pool owner provided that the fence itself is compliant. 💸

1994

DrownBase™ developed

Developed in 1994, DrownBase™ is a comprehensive database, which has evolved into an indispensable tool for informing water safety strategies and saving lives.
‍
The comprehensive database holds all drowning incidents since 1980 and water-related hospitalisations since 2003, as well as ACC injury data and New Zealand Search and Rescue data.

2023

Drowning Blackspots identified

One of the key advancements powered by DrownBase™ is the identification of Drowning Blackspots – areas where fatal drownings are disproportionately high.
‍
New Zealand's ten blackspots were released for the first time in 2023 Drowning Prevention Report.