This report serves as the formal record of preventable fatal drownings in New Zealand for the year 2020. 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 2020 is 84 fatalities. On a per capita basis, the hospitalisation drowning rate is represented as 3.77per 100,000 people in New Zealand. This rate has been steady for the past five years.
Water Safety New Zealand works to raise awareness, educate communities, and promote preventative measures.
