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.

Research allows us to examine attitudes, ascertain the nature and extent of riksy behaviour and by whom. Most importantly, it gives us an evidence base on which to make recommendations, develop tools and initiatives for specific at-risk groups, activities and environments.

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.

Jumping to (fatal) conclusions?

Death and injury as a consequence of recreational jumping (often referred to as tombstoning) has not been well investigated. Analysis of video footage posted on social media sites provided Dr Kevin Moran with the opportunity to explore the nature and extent of a high-risk activity that has hitherto escaped research scrutiny.

Kevin Moran (2013): Jumping to (fatal) conclusions? An analysis of video film on a social networking website of recreational jumping from height into water, International Journal of Injury Control and Safety Promotion, DOI:10.1080/17457300.2012.755207 Link to this article.      

'Approaches to drowning prevention in high income countries'  a State of the Art presention at the World Safety Conference 2012 by Dr Kevin Moran

This presented recent research addressing many of issues, including: defining swimming and water competence; water safety education in high income countries; parental understanding of child water safety and supervision; high-risk behaviours, activities and groups; and drowning risk perception. The abstract and reference list for this presentation can be found in the Resources list at right.