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Water Safety New Zealand

Water Safety Code

The Water Safety Code consists of four simple rules to remember each time you venture near the water. It serves as a great starting point for planning a safe aquatic adventure. 

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  • Be prepared - Learn to swim and survive and set rules for safe play in the water. Always use safe and correct equipment. Know the weather and water conditions before you get in.
     

  • Watch out for yourself and others - Always pay close attention to children you are supervising in or near water. Swim with others and in areas where lifeguards are present.
     

  • Be aware of the dangers - Enter shallow and unknown water feet first and obey all safety signs and warning flags. Do not enter the water after drinking alcohol.
     

  • Know your limits - Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience. Learn safe ways of rescuing others without putting yourself in danger.

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Water Safety Code

Be Prepared

  • Learn water safety skills - akona te kauhoe.

  • Set rules for being safe in the water including safe play

  • Always use safe and correct equipment including lifejackets and know the weather and water conditions before you get in.

  • Be alert to changing marine conditions.

Water Safety Code

Watch out for yourself and others

  • Adults - always actively supervision children and keep children under five years old within arm's reach at all times.

  • Swim with others and in areas where lifeguards are present. Don't swim alone.

  • Never go diving or fishing for kai alone or with a medical condition. If you get into trouble there's no one to help.

Water Safety Code

Be aware of the dangers

  • Check for safety signs, warning flags, currents and rips.

  • Enter shallow and unknown water feet first.

  • It may be easy getting into water, but can you get out?

  • Your clothing in the water may drag you down.

  • DO NOT enter the water after drinking alcohol or taking drugs.

Water Safety Code

Know your limits

  • Challenge yourself within your physical limits and experience.

  • Think about what you can and can't do in the water.

  • Being in the water will make you tired. Get out before you've reached your limit. Cold water will make it worse.

  • Always know that the weather or water conditions are stronger than you.

  • Learn safe ways of rescuing others without putting yourself in danger. Throw something into the water such as a chilliebin or plastic bottles for buoyancy. If you throw a rope, lie down on your stomach to make the rescue.

Water Safety Code

Download the Code

The Water Safety Code consists of four simple rules to remember each time you venture near the water. It serves as a great starting point for planning a safe aquatic adventure. 

Water Safety Code

Know before you go.

The Water Safety Code consists of four simple rules to remember each time you venture near the water. It serves as a great starting point for planning a safe aquatic adventure. 

Current Numbers

2023 DROWNING FATAILITIES TO DATE

14

There have been 14 official drownings to date in 2023. This number is updated weekly.

2022 DROWNING FATALITIES

93

There were 93 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2022 calendar year.

2023 SUMMER DROWNINGS

14

There have been 14 official drownings to date in the 2023 summer period. 

2021 DROWNING FATALITIES

90

There were 90 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.

MALE DROWNINGS

85%

As a gender split, 84.95% of 2022 drowning fatalities were male. 15.05% were female.  

2020 DROWNING FATALITIES

84

There were 84 official preventable drowning fatalities in the 2021 calendar year.

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