Float First: World Drowning Prevention Day
Donate and collaborate to reduce our drowning rate
July 25th is World Drowning Prevention Day.
Now in its fifth year, World Drowning Prevention Day is a time to honour the lives of those lost to drowning, and to raise awareness of the magnitude and preventability of drowning worldwide.
In New Zealand, 74 people lost their lives through drowning in 2024, and in the first six months of 2025, 38 people have drowned in preventable incidents. Since 2014, an average of 86 Kiwis have drowned annually in events that could have been prevented.
The statistics of drownings make for sombre reading:
- 88 per cent of drownings were adults
- 73 per cent of these were men aged 25 and over
- 90 per cent of people in craft-related drownings were not wearing a lifejacket
- Nearly 20 per cent of drownings in 2024 were at one of New Zealand's highest-risk drowning locations.
This year, the global theme for World Drowning Prevention Day is 'Your Story Can Save A Life', and Water Safety New Zealand and ACC are encouraging people to share their own stories, and make people more mindful of the risks around water. The stories can be anything - from close calls to life-saving moments, and the lessons that shape our decisions. In sharing stories, we learn from others' experiences - and that can save lives.
Some stories are well known, including that of Water Safety New Zealand’s own Rob Hewitt (Ngāti Kahungunu, Te Rangikoianake), an ex-navy diver with his own harrowing tale of surviving 75 hours lost at sea. Rob now dedicates much of his time advocating for water safety, with a particular focus on Māori and Pasifika communities, generously sharing his story to draw attention to the necessity of Water Safety and having an unwavering respect for the water.
Interventions Lead at Water Safety New Zealand, Esther Hone (Ngāpuhi), has her own story of survival and of loss. She was drawn to a career in water safety after losing a friend when boating on a lake when she was younger. “That experience had a dramatic impact and made me understand how quickly things can go wrong - particularly in open water environments where conditions can change so quickly.”
2024's 74 drowning fatalities marks the lowest annual toll since 2018, and a 14 per cent drop from the 10-year average - a number Esther says is encouraging.
“We are making good progress, particularly with our tamariki, but every life lost is one too many,” she says. “World Drowning Prevention Day provides an opportunity to speak up, share our stories, and help shape a culture where water safety is second nature.”
Float first
Drowning is a leading cause of accidental death here in Aotearoa New Zealand and it is preventable. DPA is committed to preventing drowning through research-backed education.
Do your kids know what to do if they fall into the water? How would you survive if you got caught in a strong current or rip? Knowing how to respond in the first two minutes can make the difference between life and death.
Panicking, or the effects of cold water shock, can lead to drowning or cardiac arrest. Even the strongest swimmers can be affected. Floating on your back gives you the best chance of survival if you’re in trouble in the water.
Learn how to Float first. Remember: Float, breathe, signal, survive.
Join the Float first movement and help us raise money to prevent drowning.
- Donate today
- Visit the Drowning Prevention Aotearoa website to donate, or learn more about how you can fundraise yourself.
- Create your own Float first Fundraiser
- Select 'I want to fundraise for this' from the website and follow the simple process to set up your campaign, then ask your friends and family to sponsor you.
Donations towards the Float first Fundraiser will help DPA promote water safety and deliver drowning prevention education initiatives so that everyone can enjoy the water and come home safely.
What can you do?
New Zealanders are invited to take part in World Drowning Prevention Day by sharing their own water safety experiences to help reinforce that the power is in prevention.
How to take part:
- Use World Drowning Prevention Day as a reason to post your water story or safety message on social media to contribute to a culture of water safety in New Zealand.
- Share an experience, life lesson or thought around water safety, reminding New Zealanders that the power is in prevention
- Use hashtags #WorldDrowningPreventionDay, #WaterSafetyNZ, and #ShareYourStory
- Access free downloadable toolkits and digital assets from watersafetynz.org/staying-safe/world-drowning-prevention-day
“Whether it’s a national story or a moment from your local beach - what you share can save lives,” says Esther. “Let’s connect, share, and work together to solve drowning in New Zealand and create a culture of water safety. The power is in prevention”.
For more information, visit watersafetynz.org/drowning-insights