Water Safety New Zealand is proud to announce its 2025/26 funding allocations, with $2.3 million invested in 31 community-led initiatives designed to reduce drowning and keep people safe in, on, and around water in Aotearoa.

This year’s funding priorities are guided by evidence, focusing support where it is needed most – high-risk communities, high-risk environments, and high-risk activities.

Acting Chief Executive Gavin Walker says: “Drowning is not inevitable. With the right skills, knowledge, and support we can all enjoy the water safely. These investments back local water safety champions who know their communities best and are leading practical, life-saving initiatives.”

Funding is delivered through two priority funds: Kia Maanu Kia Ora | Stay Afloat Stay Alive, supporting at risk communities including kai gatherers, and Water Skills for Life, building water survival competence for tamariki.

The selected initiatives span the country and a wide range of water safety needs. In Northland, programmes like Mana Moana Tiaki and the Hokianga Kaimoana Gatherers Programme focus on teaching Māori males safe kai gathering and diving practices. In Auckland, Asian males will benefit from the Ethnic Water Safety Ambassadors Project, combining kai gathering and survival skills. In the Waikato, open water survival programmes equip tamariki and whānau with the skills to stay safe in rivers and coastal areas, while in Southland, school-based lessons give young learners practical water survival knowledge in pools.

Across the country, these initiatives are helping to build safer communities and a culture of water safety for generations to come.

Water Safety NZ’s funding of these initiatives is made possible thanks to the generous support of Sport New Zealand, ACC, and the Lotteries Grants Board.

Gavin says: “This support is critical to continue funding initiatives throughout the country, helping to contribute to a nationwide culture of water safety. Water Safety New Zealand takes this responsibility very seriously and many of the providers would not be able to perform this life-saving work without it.

“Great care has gone into understanding these projects and ensuring funding is allocated for maximum impact. Together, we’re helping tamariki, whānau, and communities enjoy our waterways safely, now and into the future.”

Full List of Funded Initiatives 2025/26

Kia Maanu Kia Ora | Stay Afloat Stay Alive ($665,435 – 14 initiatives)

Drowning Prevention Auckland – Multiple initiatives for Asian communities in Auckland

Aotearoa Dive – Dive safety + SSI Stress & Rescue Diver course, Bay of Plenty.

Wairoa Community Centre – Te Mana o Te Moana – Kura Taiao, Hawke’s Bay.

Tangata o te Wai Dive Trust – Water Safety Wānanga Series- Ruku Papaku, Ruku Tūhura, Ruku Hōhonu Hawke’s Bay.

CulturED Retreat Ltd – Hokianga Kaimoana Gatherers Programme, Northland.

Moana Futures Ltd – Mana Moana Tiaki & Kairuku Scuba Dive Programme, Northland.

Mountains to Sea Conservation Trust – Kai gathering water safety, Northland/Wellington.

Te Hou Ora Whānau Services (Dive Otago) – Ruku Kai Programme-He Mauri te Wai, He Mauri te Tangata. Otago.

Ngāti Porou Surf Lifesaving Club – Kia Maanu, Kia Ora Programme- (Karakia a Paikea) Tairāwhiti.

Te Ripo Tapui Ltd – Waiora Moana- Safe Seas, Safe Whanau, Waikato.

Aotearoa Water Patrol – Wai-tai, Wai-rua, Waikato/Wairarapa/Hawke’s Bay.

Splash Gordons Ltd – Kaimoana freedive & scuba safety, Waikato.

Water Skills for Life (WSFL) ($1,650,868 – 17 initiatives)

· Aktive –Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Auckland

· John Walker Find Your Field of Dreams –Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Auckland

· Aquatic Survival Skills – Instructor + Kaiako-Led water survival skills delivery, Bay of Plenty

· Christchurch City Council – Instructor + Kaiako-led water survival skills delivery, Canterbury

· Waimakariri WSFL – Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, North Canterbury

· Sport Hawke’s Bay – Kaiako-led water survival skills delivery, Hawkes Bay

· Sport Northland – Kaiako-led water survival skills delivery, Northland

· SwimMagic – Community Leisure Management – Instructor + Kaiako-Led water survival skills delivery, multi-regions

· Surf Life Saving New Zealand – WSFL Beach, Northland/Bay of Plenty

· Sport Otago – Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Otago

· Dash Swim School – Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Porirua

· Active Southland – Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Southland

· Swim for Life Tairāwhiti – Instructor-led water survival skills delivery, Tairāwhiti

· Te Ripo Tapui Ltd – WSFL River, Waikato

· Youthtown Incorporated – WSFL River, Waikato

· Nuku Ora – Kaiako-led water survival skills delivery, Wellington

Notes:

• Our funding priorities for 2025/26 are shaped by evidence. We know drowning risk is not the same everywhere – communities face the highest risk where exposure to water is high, but levels of water safety knowledge or training are low.
• Our support is designed to fund local interventions that tackle the drivers of drowning. By investing this way, we aim to reduce drowning rates and build stronger, safer communities nationwide.

About Water Safety New Zealand

Water Safety New Zealand is the lead agent for water safety and drowning prevention in New Zealand. For more than 75 years, we’ve made it our mission to support people and places to be safer around water.

We do this through focused data science, leadership, education, and advocacy. As a charity, we are dedicated to making New Zealand’s waterways safer for everyone.

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