In this period, there was an average of 39 fatal drownings per year. Out of all the regions, Northland had the highest fatal drowning rate – 3.04 deaths per 100,000, which is nearly five times greater than Auckland. Dalton said, unfortunately, these statistics were “pretty stable”, and a reflection of people’s attitudes to water safety. A collaborative approach is needed to ensure water safety messages are reaching all New Zealanders and are actually being heard. The new Water Safety Sector Strategy 2025, titled Wai ora Aotearoa: Navigating to a safer future, was released by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) last week.

Source: Stuff March 14, 2021 17:01 UTC