Bay of Plenty Residents Encouraged to Speak Up on World Drowning Prevention Day
- Holly Grundy
- Jul 25
- 2 min read
This year’s theme for World Drowning Prevention Day encourages New Zealanders to share their personal stories in the hope of saving someone else’s life.
In 2024, 74 people lost their lives to drowning across the country. Alarmingly, the first half of 2025 is showing a similar trend, with 38 drownings recorded already... four of them here in the Bay of Plenty.
While these numbers remain high, there is some positive news. The 2024 toll marked the lowest annual number of water-related fatalities since 2018, and represented a 14% drop from New Zealand’s 10-year average.
Despite this progress, Water Safety New Zealand’s Interventions Lead, Esther Hone, warns that the risks remain real.
“We are making progress, particularly with our tamariki, but every life lost is one too many.”
On average, 86 Kiwis drown each year more often or not these are preventable incidents. Many fatalities are linked to a lack of lifejackets, poor supervision, the influence of alcohol or drugs, or underestimating water conditions.
“World Drowning Prevention Day is a chance to speak up, share our stories, and help shape a culture where water safety is second nature,” Hone says. “We believe every child deserves the knowledge, experience, and confidence to survive in the water- not just swim in it.”
ACC is also backing the campaign, with water-related injuries placing a heavy toll on individuals and the health system. Each year, ACC accepts around 4,500 water-related injury claims, costing the organisation approximately $13.5 million.
In the Bay of Plenty alone, around 500 water injuries are lodged annually, with a total cost of $1.2 million.
ACC Injury Prevention Leader James Whitaker says World Drowning Prevention Day is an important reminder of how easily lives can be lost in and around water.
“A drowning is a devastating event for any whānau and community, and our hearts go out to every family who has lost a loved one,” he says.“Most of these tragic drownings are preventable if we take the time to consider the risks.”
Whitaker is urging everyone to follow the Water Safety Code at all times.
Five Ways to Survive:
Know how to float
Find the safest place to swim
If in doubt, stay out
Take care of yourself and others
Know how to get help
“Aotearoa New Zealand’s beaches, lakes, and rivers offer us amazing opportunities to enjoy life and connect with loved ones. If we take time to assess the risks and make smart choices before jumping in, we can keep doing the things we love — safely.”
