- A third (32%) of all NZ drownings occur in rivers or inland waterways
- 1,398 Lives have been lost since 1980
- 44% of all inland waterway drownings are under 25
- On average we lose 33 New Zealanders each year in lakes and rivers
Water Safety New Zealand is proud to introduce our new consulting services to local and regional councils, aimed at improving safety on rivers, lakes, and other inland waterways across the country.
As the kaitiaki of DrownBase™ knowledge hub, which includes coronial information, police reports, Ministry of Health’s non-fatal injury data, ACC’s water-related injury, search and rescue incident and digital “exposure” data, we are uniquely positioned to provide comprehensive hazard and risk assessments.
DrownBase™, is widely regarded as a “database of national significance”. We, at Water Safety New Zealand, feel obligated to maximise this knowledge for the betterment of all New Zealanders.
Our services offer tailored localor regional solutions including:
- Detailed risk and hazard identification
- Recommendations for safety infrastructure
- Community and school engagement through our Water Skills for Life™ – River programme
We’ve drawn on international best practices like those from Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) and Royal Life Saving Society of Australia’s (RLSSA) and adapted them to New Zealand’s unique environment, ensuring that your waterways are safe for everyone.
What we offer:
- Data-Driven Hazard Assessments: Using our exclusive drowning and incident data combined with Data Science and research experts, we conduct detailed assessments of high-risk areas and recommend tailored interventions.
- Risk Management Solutions: Where appropriate we provide advice on signage, rescue equipment installation, and access control measures, all informed by our in-depth knowledge of New Zealand's water-related hazards.
- Educational Engagement: Through Water Skills for Life™ – River, we educate local communities and schools on river safety, fostering awareness and long-term safety practices.
Why this matters now
New Zealand's rivers and lakes continue to claim lives, with 25 drownings reported in 2023 alone. Recent coronial reports emphasise the need for better public awareness, physical safety measures, and targeted interventions, which Water Safety New Zealand is ready to assist with. By collaborating with tangata whenua, land managers alongside local and regional councils, we can ensure that effective safety measures are implemented, protecting both residents and visitors.
To find out how Water Safety New Zealand can help make your local waterways safer, get in touch at wsnz@watersafety.org.nz - Together, we are creating more ways to prevent drownings and ensure safe, enjoyable access to New Zealand’s beautiful inland waterways.
