The government is allocating an additional $848,000 to enhance boating safety measures, expecting to cut the average of 37 summer drownings in New Zealand.
Approximately $75,000 will fund compliance checks by regional councils, with the remainder supporting 30 community education initiatives targeting small boat users, near-shore activities, and groups disproportionately affected by drowning statistics.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager described drownings as preventable tragedies, emphasising the government’s commitment to sparing more families from such heartbreak.
“The local funding stretches from the top of Northland right down to the bottom of Southland, ensuring all parts of New Zealand can strengthen community-led safety initiatives, support bar-crossing education, and enhance regional compliance capability throughout the busy summer season,” Meager said.
“Watersafe Auckland Inc. has been allocated $43,000 to deliver water safety education at high-traffic boat ramps across Auckland, while Queenstown Lakes District Council’s $10,000 grant will fund a programme aimed at recreational craft operators at inland waterways.”
Meager said wearing a lifejacket is the top way to reduce harm on the water, urging all New Zealanders to wear one while boating.