Report shows 74 Kiwis drowned in 2021

Tuesday, 18 January 2022

Stay away from rocks and rips at the beach over summer, surf lifesavers say. (Video first published in November 2019.)

Seventy-four Kiwis died as a result of preventable drowning in 2021, according to a report.

The 2021 Drowning Report, released by Water Safety New Zealand, said while drownings were down 7.5 per cent on the 2015-2019 five-year average of 80 people, drowning was the leading cause of death in recreational activities and one of the highest causes of accidental death in Aotearoa.

Water Safety NZ said Māori and men were both overrepresented, with 31 per cent (23 deaths) being Māori, and almost 85 per cent (62 deaths) being male. Ninety-six per cent of Māori deaths, and 100 per cent of Pasifika deaths were male.

Drowning is the leading cause of death in recreational activities in Aotearoa.

Water Safety NZ chief executive Daniel Gerrard said every death harmed whānau and communities.

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Most swimming drownings occurred at beaches and rivers.

“Up until December, 2021 was on track to have a lower-than-average year, but 20 deaths in December saw us have as many drownings as the year before, and the highest December toll since 1996,” Gerrard said.

The report said swimming accounted for the majority of deaths by drowning, at 31 per cent. This was up 28 per cent on the five-year average and the highest rate since 2016.

Beaches and rivers were the most common locations of tragedy.

Eighteen deaths were attributed to boating, which accounted for 24 per cent of the year's drowning toll. This was up 80 per cent from 2020’s 10 deaths but similar to the five-year average of 17. According to Water Safety NZ, boating fatalities were more likely to involve people 45 years old and over.

The number of drownings among older age groups increased over the past year. According to the report, drownings in those aged 45 and over increased between 23 and 50 per cent from 2020.

Gerrard said that although Aotearoa was in lockdown again last year, these tragedies could have been prevented.

“Our drowning toll is something every New Zealander should see as a national disgrace and one we all have a responsibility to address. We all need to make better decisions around water,” Gerrard said.

“Remember the water safety code. Be prepared, watch out for yourself and each other, be aware of the dangers and know your limits.”

The water safety code can be found here.