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This report serves as the formal record of preventable fatal drownings in New Zealand for the year 2018. From 2018 to 2021 the national drowning prevention report was published as online content only. This document is an extract from previously published information. Please email us for more details on this report: wsnz@watersafety.org.nz
Annual drowning totals may change over time. As coronial inquiries are completed, these can influence the official drowning total.
As of May 2025, the annual drowning total for 2018 is 71 fatalities.
Wellington, Canterbury, Southland and the West Coast all recorded fatality drops of more than 50% in 2018. The biggest increase was inHawke’s Bay which went from zero preventable fatalities in 2017 to 6 in 2018.
Water Safety New Zealand works to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote preventative measures.
