Drowning is the third highest cause of unintentional death in New Zealand.

The picture of drowning and water-related injury in New Zealand shows that water-related harm occurs over a wide range of environments, age groups and activities, reflecting access to, and use of, water in New Zealand.

A 1999 national survey of aquatic activity reported 80% of respondents over 18 years of age had participated in some form of aquatic activity in the previous month, and 98% of youth had participated in some swimming or other aquatic activity in the previous year.

The circumstances surrounding drowning, not-fatal drowning and other water-related injuries in New Zealand have been comprehensively reviewed, however without knowing more about what New Zealanders know, think and do with regards to their safety in and around water, the reasons why so many people get into difficulty in water remain speculative.

Research allows us to examine attitudes, ascertain the nature and extent of riksy behaviour and by whom. Most importantly, research gives us an evidence base on which to make recommendations, develop tools and initiatives for specific at-risk groups and determine the future direction to take down the path towards a Water Safe New Zealand.

Research and fact sheets from a number of sources are available throughout this website and cover key areas including: Rock Fishing, Early Childhood, New Settler, Youth and Education.

Fact Sheets - New Zealand Aquatic Youth Recreation (New Zealand Youth Water Safety Survey 2003)

These Fact Sheets examine youth aquatic recreation, their safety skills and knowledge, safety attitudes and behaviours, gender and ethnic differences. Further details and Fact Sheets 1 to 5 can be found on the Youth Research page, link on menu bar at left.