Water Safety New Zealand says the country should be proud of a falling drowning rate

The provisional figure for preventable drownings in 2024 is 71, the lowest since 2018 and well down from 2023's 90.

Water Safety New Zealand Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard says weather patterns will have played their part, but education is also a factor.

Gerrard says teaching the younger generation about the dangers and the skills they need to have around the water is bearing fruit.