Water safety is an area of concern for the Asian population of Auckland's East Health Trust region.

While as natural as water safety knowledge and skills seems to be for Kiwis, new migrants, especially Asian new migrants, come to New Zealand with little or no aquatic or water safety skills and the drowning statistics reflect this.

The East Health Water Safety Project commencing in May aims to enhance the aquatic and water safety knowledge and skills of the Asian population within the East Health Trust region, promoting the importance of aquatics and water safety education within the New Zealand context.

The project kicks off with 'FREE' Active Movement in Water classes where mums can introduce their baby to water with fun games and activities and discover why active movement is so important for their baby's development.   

The one-off classes include both theory and practical sessions and will run on Tuesday mornings until July at the Aquanaut Swim School, East Tamaki.

The project is a collaborative effort of the East Health Trust primary health organisation, WaterSafe Auckland, Swimming New Zealand and Injury Free Counties Manukau, supported by Aquanaut Swim School.

The Asian population is the third largest and fastest growing in New Zealand (2006 Census) with a population size that has almost doubled since the 2001 Census.

Approximately 37% of the Auckland Region was born overseas at the 2006 Census and 19% of the East Health Region identified themselves as Asian with the majority being recent migrants.  

For class bookings and information call Aquanauts on 09 274 7721;

For project information contact Craig Mills on 306 0809 craig.mills@watersafe.org.nz

Download the Active Movement in Water Classes flyer here (pdf)