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Data-driven
drowning
insights
and
information.
New Zealand has a high fatal drowning rate compared to other Western nations such as Australia, Canada and the UK. For the past ten years our rate has been 1.68 per 100,000 of population and for 2023 is 1.72. In comparison, Australia's per capita rate is 1.1 and Canada's 1.3.
Last Updated: 18/11/2024

Latest drowning statistics

Up-to-date information on fatal drownings

61

2024 Drowning Fatalities to Date

This is the provisional fatal drowning total for 2024 year to date.

-7 compared to 10yr average
77

This Time Last Year - Drowning Fatalities

Is the number of drownings recorded at the same time in 2023. Note: This includes six drowning deaths due to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

+4 compared to 10yr average
90

2023 Drowning Fatalities

This is the number of Preventable drowning fatalities in the 2023 calendar year. Note: This includes six drowning deaths due to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

+7 compared to 10yr average
31

2023 / 24 Summer Drowning Fatalities

01 December 2023 - 29 February 2024.

49

2022 / 23 Summer Drowning Fatalities

01 December 2022 - 28 February 2023. Note: This includes six drowning deaths due to Cyclone Gabrielle in February 2023.

83%

Male Drownings

As a gender split, 83% of 2023 drowning fatalities were male. 17% were female.

Drowning Insights

Drowning Blackspots

Water Safety New Zealand invests in data science to understand more about drowning risks – who, where, doing what, and what goes wrong. Our initiative to use Drownbase™ to identify New Zealand’s top ten blackspots – locations with very high incident and fatality rates – is a significant step forward for prevention and water safety.

Blackspots List
Name
Action
Piha Beach
Insights
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Muriwai Beach
Bethells Beach
Insights
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Princes Wharf
Insights
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Papanui Point
Wellington
Insights
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Lake Pupuke
Insights
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Kariotahi Beach
Insights
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Manukau Heads
Insights
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Mount Maunganui
Insights
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Our methodology finds the number of fatal incidents within a two kilometre radius around every locality in NZ since 1999. It wasn't until 1999 that latitude/longitude pairs were first stored in the DrownBase system which previously had only stored the territorial authority where the death occurred.

This means we have 25 year totals for every locality in New Zealand. Choosing the locations with more than 10 fatal incidents leads to ten WSNZ Black Spots.
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Blackspots Map
Piha Beach

Black-sand Piha Beach is known for its strong surf and rugged scenery. Piha Beach has one fatality on average every year.

Muriwai Beach

One of Auckland's most popular beaches - is also one of the most dangerous.

Bethells Beach

Rock fishing is one of the highest risk activities at Bethell's Beach.

Princes Wharf

Many fatal drowning at Princes Wharf are associated with falls.

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Papanui Point

Land-based fishing accounts for 88% of the drownings here, highlighting how hazardous this activity is in the area.

Wellington

Alcohol appears to be a big factor in the majority of Wellington waterfront drowning deaths.

Lake Pupuke

Murky and shallow water are among the hazards at Lake Pupuke.

Kariotahi Beach

Extremely dangerous and challenging rips mean Kariotahi Beach is one of the most dangerous in Auckland.

Manukau Heads

The notoriously dangerous Manukau Heads bar is among the hazards in this area.

Mount Maunganui

Mt Maunganui sits on a sand-spit below the iconic peak of Mauao (a 232m-high headland that can be walked up or around). Main Beach is on the ocean side of the sand spit and a harbour beach (Pilot Bay) is nearby on the other side.

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Drowning Report
2023 Water Safety New Zealand Drowning Prevention Report
View Report
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Drowning Reports & Data Insights

Data-driven insights are used to support advocacy and reduce preventable drowning, water-related injury and hospitalisations.Detailed data enables identification of trends, high-risk areas, and vulnerable groups to target interventions. Quarterly snapshots and other activity-focused data will be published regularly.

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2023 Drowning Prevention Report
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2022 Drowning Prevention Report
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2017 Drowning Prevention Report
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2016 Drowning Prevention Report
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2015 Drowning Prevention Report
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2014 Drowning Prevention Report
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2013 Drowning Prevention Report
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2012 Drowning Prevention Report
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2011 Drowning Prevention Report

Data News & Insights

Latest news, media, and quick reads related to data, research, and insights from Water Safety New Zealand.

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Uncovering the causes of Blackspot Drownings: Deep Dive into Papanui Point
Deep Dive into Papanui Point
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94 lives lost to drowning in 2022. The most drowning deaths in a decade
Water Safety New Zealand Official Drowning Report - 2022
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Predictive Modelling Warns: Worst Year for Drowning this Century.
Water Safety New Zealand Highlights Grim Forecast as Water Safety Awareness Month Begins
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Drowning Crisis Unveiled: WSNZ's 2023 Data Shows Devastating Trend in Water Safety
In a sobering update, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) has released its provisional 2023 drowning data, revealing a persisting challenge in our national drowning rate.
Contact us

Requesting Drownbase™ Data

Comprehensive data is available in published reports. If you have a data request not covered by publicly available information, please email us:
Email Contact: wsnz@watersafety.org.nz
Level 6/5 Willeston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Contact us

Media Enquiries

We actively seek opportunities to work with all media organisations. Please email us if you want to help save lives. 
Email Contact: elizabeth@watersafety.org.nz
Level 6/5 Willeston Street, Wellington Central, Wellington 6011, New Zealand
Drowning Insights

Drownbase™

DrownBase™ contains records of all drowning deaths that have occurred in New Zealand’s waterways since 1 January 1980.​ DrownBase™ also records all water-related hospitalisations requiring a stay in hospital since 2003 and categorises them in a variety of ways.

Open Data Sets
Name
Period Begin
Period End
Action
2018 - 2022 Open Data Set
1 Jan 2018
31 Dec 2022
If you have a data request not covered by publicly available information, please email us: wsnz@watersafetynz.org.nz
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We need to prioritise requests based on our capacity.
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Quarterly drowning data for Wai Ora organisations
Name
Period Begin
Period End
Action
Q3 2024
July
September
Download
The data ‘periodic table’ organises drowning incidents by variables such as age, ethnicity, activity, and environment.
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This report provides a clear and comprehensive picture of the factors contributing to drownings. Data representation of this form increases the ability of Water Safety New Zealand and our delivery partners to tailor interventions to specific groups most at risk.
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