Water Safety New Zealand
works to
raise
awareness,
educate
communites,
and promote
preventative
measures.
Water Safety New Zealand

About us

As an island nation in the south pacific, enjoying the water is deeply engrained in our DNA. Our ocean, coasts, beaches, lakes and rivers help define us and reflect the people we have become. Water is life and in New Zealand, it’s our way of life.

Through leadership, advocacy and education, Water Safety New Zealand works with water safety sector organisations, individuals and the public to reduce the incidence of drowning and injury in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our work contributes to the reduction in drownings and to a thriving society for individuals, families and communities.​

Experiences in, on or around the water are part of what we do and what makes us Kiwi. But sadly drownings and non-fatal drowning incidents are all too common.

Our Vision & Purpose

By 2025 more people in New Zealand respect the water and have the skills, knowledge and awareness to enjoy it safely.

Through our work:

More people will influence others to have safe experiences 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, New Zealand, will adopt the Kiwi culture of being respectful of the water, the conditions and be water-wise.

How we make a difference

Water Safety New Zealand provides leadership, advocacy, policy development and funding to the water safety sector.

We are an association of members in the water safety sector with an elected board and recruited management and administration team. It is an incorporated society, with charitable status. The majority of our funding is received from the Lotteries Grants Board via Sport New Zealand for distribution to water safety providers through an annual grants round. Water Safety New Zealand itself is funded by Sport New Zealand while 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 👋

Share your stories with us 👋
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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.

Our Board and Governance

Wai Ora Aotearoa Strategy 2025 - New Zealand’s Water Safety Sector Strategy, commits sector partners, to continue to work together towards common goals with greater impact and efficiency. As the lead agency of the sector strategy, Water Safety New Zealand, led by our board continues to drive the strategy’s implementation.

Wai Ora Aotearoa

Our Member Organisations

Water Safety New Zealand provides leadership, advocacy, policy development and funding to the water safety sector.

News & Insights

Latest news, media, and quick reads related to staying safe from Water Safety New Zealand.

Our People

Our team are passionate water lovers, experts in their field and committed to making a difference.

Daniel Gerrard
Chief Executive
Kerry Cooper
Executive Assistant - Daniel Gerrard
Elizabeth Collins
Communications and Media
Gavin Walker
General Manager Partnerships & Funding
Chris Casey
General Manager Data Science & Insights
Esther Hone
Interventions Lead - Water Skills for Life
Rob Hewitt
Kaihautu Maori
Contact us

Contact and support

Office Hours: Monday - Friday (8:30am - 5:00pm)
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