Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Work smarter with a Pro licence Learn More

Local Govt | National News Video | Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Search

 

Auckland boaties heading into a perfect storm

Soaring numbers of inexperienced boaties are heading out to sea in Auckland concerning water safety advocates.

Research* shows a dramatic increase in the numbers of new boat trailer registrations and a high percentage of boaties on the water with fewer than five years experience.

WSNZ CEO Jonty Mills says the figures are a concern and a strategy is being developed to focus on water safety in Auckland.

“It’s our largest population base and with high particpation rates across a wide range of water based activities, an accessible harbour and warm climate it’s important we have a strong focus on Auckland.”

Auckland is a challenging environment currently with on average 17 preventable drowning fatalities per year.

There have been 67 preventable drowning fatalities over the five years 2013 – 2017. Beaches are the deadliest environment with immersion incidents the deadliest activity, followed by swimming and powered boating.

The region averages almost 600 Coastguard callouts, 85 water related NZ Police search and rescue callouts and almost 6000 water related ACC claims annually.

“Auckland has had rapid population growth and water safety services are scrambling to keep up with demand. These are largely volunteer based organisations facing significant challenges” says Mills.

WSNZ is working with Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) and other partners in the region to develop an Auckland Regional Water Safety Strategy.

“We want to engage with local communities so this strategy is driven by leaders from the region who understand the issues and challenges unique to the area” says Mills.

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading

Are you getting our free newsletter?

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.

This weekend DPA’s Auckland Water Safety Week supported by WSNZ gets underway at Okahu Bay. Water safety organisations will be in action promoting aquatic education and water sports with demonstrations, events, forums and games.

The aquatic education programme for children in years 1 – 8, Water Skills for Life, supported by The Warehouse, will be a feature of the WSNZ exhibit. Parents and children can learn about the water safety skills taught in school and have the chance to win The Warehouse vouchers by entering into the Water Skills for Life colouring competition.


For more detail on Auckland’s Water Safety Week go to https://watersafety.org.nz/water%20safety%20week


ends

© Scoop Media

Advertisement - scroll to continue reading
 
 
 
Parliament Headlines | Politics Headlines | Regional Headlines


Gordon Campbell: On The US Opposition To Mortgage Interest Deductibility For Landlords


Should landlords be able to deduct the interest on the loans they take out to bankroll their property speculation? The US Senate Budget Committee and Bloomberg News don't think this is a good idea, for reasons set out below. Regardless, our coalition government has been burning through a ton of political capital by giving landlords a huge $2.9 billion tax break via interest deductibility, while still preaching the need for austerity to the disabled, and to everyone else...
More


 
 

Government: Concerns Conveyed To China Over Cyber Activity
Foreign Minister Winston Peters has confirmed New Zealand’s concerns about cyber activity have been conveyed directly to the Chinese Government. “The Prime Minister and Minister Collins have expressed concerns today about malicious cyber activity... More

ALSO:


Government: GDP Decline Reinforces Government’s Fiscal Plan

Declining GDP for the December quarter reinforces the importance of restoring fiscal discipline to public spending and driving more economic growth, Finance Minister Nicola Willis says... More

ALSO:


Government: Humanitarian Support For Gaza & West Bank

Winston Peters has announced NZ is providing a further $5M to respond to the extreme humanitarian need in Gaza and the West Bank. “The impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on civilians is absolutely appalling," he said... More


Government: New High Court Judge Appointed

Judith Collins has announced the appointment of Wellington Barrister Jason Scott McHerron as a High Court Judge. Justice McHerron graduated from the University of Otago with a BA in English Literature in 1994 and an LLB in 1996... More

 
 
 
 
 
 

LATEST HEADLINES

  • PARLIAMENT
  • POLITICS
  • REGIONAL
 
 

InfoPages News Channels


 
 
 
 

Join Our Free Newsletter

Subscribe to Scoop’s 'The Catch Up' our free weekly newsletter sent to your inbox every Monday with stories from across our network.