More than 130,000 Kiwi kids have never had access to any form of water safety education. For a country that spends its summers in water, that statistic shocked the good folks at Stuff. And they are doing something about it!
We are proud to be working in partnership with Stuff on this life saving campaign
Every dollar raised will extend the capacity of our Water Skills of Life education programme. Funds raised will be used to reach tens of thousands of children around the country, through trained staff, community groups, and pools.
Formally starting in 2017 Water Skills for Life is not about learning to swim.
The goal is simple but profound – every child in Aotearoa leaves school with the survival skills and confidence to cope when things go wrong in or around water.
How does the education programme operate?
New Zealand has around 450,000 school age children in Year 1 to Year 8. A survey of learn-to-swim schools in 2020/21 revealed around half of all primary aged children participate in aquatic lessons funded by their parents/whānau.
We’re focused on the remaining half of New Zealand’s school children. The kids who don’t receive any water survival or learn to swim education through their parents/whānau or through school-funded water survival education.
We target students attending schools with an School Equity Index of 446 or higher - where their school community face financial or accessibility barriers to water safety education.
To deliver Water Skills for Life in pools, rivers, and beaches we work direct with schools, community groups, commercial swim schools, regional sports trusts and through local government.
And we also make everything available – absolutely free of any charge – to every school and commercial swim school who want to get on board.
The real test of safety
Ask yourself:
- Can your child float calmly if they suddenly fall into a river?
- Do they know how to manage cold shock if they plunge into deep water?
- Could they conserve energy and signal for help while waiting to be rescued?
These are the skills that matter most. These are the skills that save lives.
Water Skills for Life – Every child deserves to be safe in the water
Q&A
How will donations be spent?
Every Water Skills for Life lesson can be a lifesaving lesson. Every donation makes that possible.
Every dollar will be used to fund in-pool lessons or beach or river water safety experiences for school children in New Zealand’s most vulnerable communities.
Funds raised through Life Savings will bring dozens of schools into the Water Skills for Life whānau. Commercial swim schools, schools, and community operated groups are identified on based on criteria of ‘who is currently missing out’.
Schools with an EQI of 446 or higher are assessed for readiness to deliver to the quality standards of Water Skills for Life. Funding is not available for transport from schools to a pool.
Apart from donating money, what can individuals do to help?
Share the Life Savings campaign to help raise awareness and support for more tamariki to access lessons!
Talk with whānau about water safety — these conversations at home make a real difference.
Encourage parents, schools, and communities to prioritise water survival skills and access the free Water Skills for Life resources. Together, we can make sure every child in New Zealand grows up water smart and confident around all forms of water.
Be a great role model with your whānau and friend groups. Have the right conversations and make the time to practice key survival skills with family and friends at the beach or river.
Individuals and communities taking responsibility, improving their own capability, and looking after those around them will make a huge shift and reduce drowning over time.
Contact us to share ideas and initiatives!
How do we work with community and commercial swim schools?
Swim schools can become accredited Water Skills for Life providers, which includes monitoring, feedback, and support to maintain high standards. We track student progress and provide guidance to help schools adjust teaching methods where needed, ensuring all children develop essential water survival skills.
Providing a clear framework:
- Resources and teaching materials: We give swim schools a structured Water Skills for Life programme that outlines the skills, outcomes, and teaching approaches expected at each age and level.
- Collaboration and communication: We supply lesson plans, assessment tools, and supporting resources so instructors have everything they need to teach the skills safely and effectively.
- Monitoring outcomes: We maintain regular contact with swim schools to share updates, best practice, and advice, ensuring alignment with programme goals.
Stay up to date with the Campaign on Stuff
.jpg){kind=logo}
