NZ on track for deadly drowning year
Simple skills education urged on World Prevention Drowning Day
The numbers are out ahead of this year's World Drowning Prevention Day this Saturday, July 25th - and they make for sobering reading.
The stats speak for themselves:
- As of July 21, 2026, 57 people have drowned in our waters - that's 18 more than this time last year.
- 54 of the 57 deaths were men.
- Men aged over 25 make up more than 80 percent of drowning deaths.
- 64 percent of deaths were people doing water activities alone.
Predictive modelling now anticipates that we are on target to lose up to 101 people to drowning in 2026 for the first time in almost a quarter of a century. And with a large El Niño expected to bring change to New Zealand water environments later this year, there's serious concern that the basic safety messages aren't getting through.
“Every drowning is one too many, and the current drowning toll reinforces why people need practical skills they can use when something goes wrong in or around the water," says Drowning Prevention Auckland Chief Executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar. "World Drowning Prevention Day is an opportunity to move beyond awareness and take action. We want every New Zealander to know how to Float first if they are in trouble, and how to use Flotation first if they see someone else who needs help. These are simple message, but they can save lives”.
Heading backwards
The new numbers show that 2026 has bucked the trend of declining drowning deaths. Until now, there has been a steady decline in the 10-year average of drowning deaths per 100,000 of population. In 2025, it reached its lowest level to date, of 1.66 death per 100,000.
With the rise in food costs, and the popularity of sports like rock fishing and spearfishing, more people are taking risks to gather food. "Your life isn't worth that extra fish," says Water Safety NZ chief executive Glen Scanlon. "The 'she'll be right, I know best, I know this place well' attitude is prevalent, especially across male New Zealaders.
"Rock fishing and fishing from a boat - it's wearing that lifejacket that makes the biggest difference."
Float first
This year, Drowning Prevention Auckland is urging people to learn how to get themselves out of trouble - and how to help others without becoming a statistic themselves.
“If you unexpectedly find yourself in trouble in the water, Float first," says Keen-Biggelaar. "Focus on keeping your airways above the water, slow your breathing, signal for help and conserve your energy. Floating will look different for different people. It does not need to be perfectly horizontal to keep you alive."
Flotation first
Bystanders are often the first on scene when someone gets into trouble in the water - particularly if that person is alone.
Between 1980 and 2024, 103 people died in New Zealand while attempting to rescue someone else. Bystanders must feel confident helping, but to do so without putting their own life at risk.
Research shows that one of the main reasons situations like this turn to tragedy is the lack of a floatation device. Most fatal drownings occur in environments without professional supervision, such as rivers, lakes, and unpatrolled coastal locations.
If someone else is in trouble, use Flotation first. Call for help and throw them something that floats from land wherever possible.
A useful tool from Drowning Prevention Aotearoa is the four R's:
- Recognise. If you see someone in trouble, check for danger, and act quickly
- Respond. Act immediately. Send for help, call 111 and ask for Police, and assess the safety of the situation. Find anything that floats - if you can't find any public rescue equipment like rescue buoys, life rings and throw ropes, look for anything that floats like a branch, an empty milk bottle, a ball, chilly bin or sealed bag - anything that keeps their head above water. Giving someone who is drowning something to hold onto can reduce panic, buying critical time until help arrives.
- Rescue. Always rescue from land or boat if you can, and always provide floatation. If you have to rescue from the water, ensure you have a floatation device with you.
- Revive. Provide care once you're safe. Give CPR if they are not breathing, and put in the recovery position if they are. Stay with them until help arrives.
Going blue for drowning prevention
As part of World Drowning Prevention Day, schools, workplaces and communities are being urged to wear blue and decorate their spaces to spread the word. Find out more by clicking here.