DPA reaches thousands this summer with research-backed drowning prevention education and advocacy

DPA reaches thousands this summer with research-backed drowning prevention education and advocacy

Drowning Prevention Auckland/Aotearoa (DPA) had another action-packed summer. Our visibility at events and our research-backed initiatives – thanks in large part to the support of our partners and funders – allowed us to continue to reach people in Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland and beyond with our important messages.

From rock and crab fishers to international students, and connecting with the community at nature days, boating and cultural events, DPA continues to educate and advocate for water safety awareness, attitudes, skills and confidence – so everyone can enjoy our country’s beautiful waterways and return home safely.

Please read on for a summery summary of what we’ve been up to.

We had a busy event calendar

Be Water Safe and Portage Crossing events

On Saturday 15 March, DPA participated in the Be Water Safe event and the 33rd Annual Portage Crossing Regatta – an event which consists of three legs: an 18km paddle, a 5km hīkoi through Portage Road, Ōtāhuhu and a final 5km paddle, plus a free family festival to celebrate. In the morning, before the regatta, DPA connected with the local boating community at Māngere Bridge boat ramp to promote responsible boating practices. We raised water safety awareness and encouraged lifejacket use, letting boaties know they can hire lifejackets from one of our 12 DPA Lifejacket Hubs in Auckland (15 across Aotearoa).

Both events were incredible, especially witnessing over 100 paddlers on their waka navigating the same ancient Māori track as the Tainui waka.

Splashy Bikers Nature Day

Te Whau Pathway Environmental Trust organised the Splashy Bikers Nature Day across two dates in March at Archibald Park, Kelston. The event saw a great turnout, with more than 150 students from local schools – including Kelston Girls’ College, Blockhouse Bay Intermediate, Kelston Intermediate and Glenavon School. Students rotated through various nature-based activities including kayaking, outdoor murals, sea cleaning and science experiments. DPA shared essential water safety messages, emphasising the ‘Float first’ survival technique, lifejacket safety protocols, and bystander rescue methods.

Reaching the rescuers: Have a Throw Day

The Drowning Prevention Auckland Have a Throw event – at Karanga Plaza Harbour Pool on 9 March – was a resounding success thanks to a fantastic turnout. An interactive and fun day, the public could have a go at throwing different types of rescue equipment commonly found in Aotearoa New Zealand. Our team shared valuable tips and tricks on how to use public rescue equipment (PRE) safely and effectively in emergency situations. Participants also received important information on boating safety and the Water Safety Code. What a great opportunity to connect with the community, raise awareness, and strengthen water safety education. Thanks to everyone who joined us, and we look forward to more opportunities to work together for a safer, water-aware community.

Thanks also for the support from Your Waterfront and Eke Panuku to make this event happen. You can read more about their latest news here.

New Zealand Chinese Youth Trust Cooking and Baking Competition

DPA had the pleasure of attending this competition for teenagers on 23 February at Takapuna Beach. The event highlighted the importance of getting teenagers and families involved in culinary creativity with a cupcake decoration competition and a sweet/savoury creation competition. There were a few performances and several stalls such as face painting, crochet sales, and food stalls.

DPA had the opportunity to promote our ‘Float first’ campaign, DPA Lifejacket Hubs, and enjoyed a general chat about water safety with the public.

Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Public Open Day

A highlight in the East Auckland social calendar, DPA attended Bucklands Beach Yacht Club Public Open Day on 23 February. The public enjoyed free sailing and kayaking experiences, a magic show, lolly scramble, exhibitors and a children’s fishing competition. DPA promoted our ‘Float first’ campaign, our Lifejacket Hubs, and chatted to the public about water safety.

We reached communities who are at high-risk of drowning

Rock-based fishing: West Coast Experience

On 8 February, DPA teamed up with Surf Life Saving New Zealand for a “West Coast Experience” at Muriwai Beach. With thanks to funding from Water Safety New Zealand, 16 members of the Sparkling Minds Education – an Asian group – learnt how to fish safely from the rocks, bystander rescue techniques, and proper lifejacket use. Participants practised ‘Float first’ methods, HELP (Heat Escape Lessening Posture) and “huddling with others” techniques, and got up to speed on fishing regulations. Many also heard about DPA’s Lifejacket Hubs for the first time.

Water Safety New Zealand Interventions Advisor, Esther Hone-Moore said this comprehensive training is relevant and deeply impactful because it “enhances understanding of real-world hazards such as strong currents, unpredictable weather, and land-based fishing risks. [It] also covers critical survival skills, including what to do when in trouble, recognising the signs of drowning, and safely assisting someone in difficulty.”

Crab fishing

DPA continued its long-standing initiative to educate Asian communities on water safety through the Crab Fishing Programme held at Uretiti Beach, Waipu on 23 February. This initiative began in 2016 and is a collaborative effort between us, police, Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI), and the local Surf Life Saving club.

At Uretiti Beach, we boosted and reinforced the water safety knowledge of 34 participants – knowledge they had gained from a theory session three days earlier.

The programme covered crucial topics, including:

  • identifying local water hazards
  • flotation techniques with and without lifejackets
  • proper selection and use of fitted lifejackets
  • Availability of lifejackets from our Lifejacket Hubs
  • bystander rescue techniques
  • the Water Safety Code
  • crab fishing techniques.

The feedback from participants was overwhelmingly positive.

“I am very grateful for this rare opportunity to learn water safety before any tragedy happens. I learned how to identify rip currents, I appreciate the lifejacket loan scheme, the bystander rescue practice was amazing, and I learned valuable crabbing and tuatua gathering techniques.”

“Checking weather, tide, alongside lifeguard patrolling is so important for me when
I plan any water activities for my family. The crab fishing workshop later echoed what I
learned from the theory session… the feeling of respecting water.”

We continued our flagship programme Wai Wise.

Wai Wise

Between November 2024 and February 2025, DPA’s Wai Wise programme reached nearly 150 participants from high-risk Asian and Pacific communities. Supported by Maritime NZ, the programme combined classroom learning with pool training, and then an open water experience at Vector Wero Whitewater Park.

This programme focuses on improving water safety culture within high-risk ethnic communities. Nearly 150 participants gained practical knowledge and skills through theory and pool training, culminating in an open water training experience at Vector Wero Whitewater Park. The course promoted “Float first” principles as a core water competency in drowning prevention, as well as the Boating Safety Code, particularly on always wearing lifejackets.

MP Nancy Lu – who had the opportunity to participate in Wai Wise – said:

“In my Asian communities, there is a clear demand for this kind of education, especially for those who are new to New Zealand. This programme is essential for fostering a culture of water safety. I am thankful to have been a part of it.”

We shared our water safety messages with international students.

University of Auckland

DPA shared essential water safety messages with over 900 international students – a great way to kick off their semester at the University of Auckland – Waipapa Taumata Rau.

DPA is grateful to the university and supports the water safety emphasis for international students. Juliane Adamietz from International Student Support Services said:

“I am truly happy that this session is a standing part of our International Orientation at the University of Auckland.”

The beauty of Aotearoa, including our many beaches and other waterways, is a drawcard for many of the students who will be out enjoying the wai very soon! This programme is a great intro to their water safety journey – with many students showing a keen interest in the DPA lifejacket hubs and learning how to ‘Float first’.

Under Drowning Prevention Aotearoa, we reached people in the Bay of Plenty.

Developing Water Safety – a one-day course delivered in Tauranga and Ōpōtiki

This summer, thanks to support from Maritime NZ, Drowning Prevention Aotearoa delivered two one-day water competence courses in Tauranga and Ōpōtiki, significantly boosting participants’ water safety skills and awareness. Grounded in international best practice research, the course focuses on the 15 key water competencies, lifejacket safety, and boating safety. Importantly, it also includes Coastguard’s Safer Boating module to equip attendees with essential skills for safer decision-making on the water.

Through hands-on learning, participants are trained to:

  • identify aquatic hazards in various water environments
  • develop their water competence
  • practise in-water survival skills under supervision
  • use PRE (public rescue equipment) and learn safe bystander rescue techniques
  • retain the 4R rescue method: Recognise, Respond, Rescue, Revive.

Across three course sessions, 14 participants completed the training. The courses, aligned with the Safer Boating Forum’s Recreational Craft Strategy, saw significant improvements in participants’ water safety knowledge and abilities.

The course had a profound impact. Here are some key metrics:

  • 125% increase in floating ability (all attendees could float for over two minutes)
  • 9% improvement in water safety knowledge
  • 48% growth in water safety confidence
  • 100% of participants reported positive changes in their attitude and behaviour towards and around water.

When it comes to attitude change, one attendee said: “The course taught me not to overestimate my floating/swimming ability and not to endanger myself while rescuing others.”

Inspired by the impact we make? You can be a part of it.

This summer, we couldn’t have attended all these events – and delivered our lifesaving drowning prevention work – without the support of our donors, volunteers and water safety advocates.

Whether you choose to donate, volunteer, or spread awareness about water safety, your contribution matters.

Together, we can create a future where every whānau can safely enjoy aquatic experiences.

Make a difference – Donate today

Your support is an investment in safer communities and saved lives. With every donation, we can reach even more communities with our research-backed, international best practice water safety education and advocacy.

If you’re able to contribute, please consider donating today.

Thank you for being part of our mission to prevent drowning in Aotearoa New Zealand.

DPA – Saving lives all year round through research-backed water safety education.

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Educating, Collaborating and Advocating

Educating, Collaborating and Advocating

This blog explores some of the recent activity that our team has enjoyed delivering. Read the story of how Arohanui School has integrated water safety into their learning and the important water competencies that international university students enjoyed developing. Hear about recent advocacy in front of the Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel and our collaboration with Surf Life Saving NZ to present inland and coastal safety initiatives to councils across the country.

Read on for the full stories…

Water safety for international students

This August another cohort of international students at the University of Auckland completed a three part water safety programme.

Launched by the Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau strategy, the programme covers the essential knowledge and skills needed to prepare for a life in Aotearoa New Zealand where water is around ever corner. Unfamiliar with our beautiful but challenging aquatic locations, it is essential the students are prepared before they head out to explore.

Drowning Prevention Auckland, Coastguard Tautiaki Moana and Surf Life Saving New Zealand work together to teach the programme. Starting at orientation with an introduction to the NZ Water Safety Code, students then sign up for a practical workshop session. The DPA workshop focuses on identifying hazards and understanding how and why we need to Float first. The final part of the programme puts the learning into practice with a beach visit and trip to the pool. It is here the students develop key water competencies and practice Float first along with lifejacket experiences.

Please email tamsin.osullivan@dpanz.org.nz if you are interested in finding out more about the water safety programme for international students.

SuperLocal Conference 2024

Josh Carmine (DPA) and Pat Millar from Surf Life Saving New Zealand presented as keynote speakers at the SuperLocal 2024 conference. During the three day event they presented to thinkers and doers from local government about Inland and Coastal hazard assessments to enable communities to build environmental resilience. Their presentation – ‘Enabling Communities to Prevent Drowning’ provided community board members with a comprehensive understanding of hazards, risks and recommendations to improve water safety in their communities through the implementation of evidence-based best practices including the four proposed steps: 1. Hazard Assessments; 2. Preventative Measures; 3. Behavioural Research; 4. Risk Assessments.

Drowning Prevention Auckland/Aotearoa also had an interactive stand at the conference where attendees could find out more about the lifesaving initiatives that both organisations offer to keep members of the public safer in, on and around the water. For more information on our inland water safety initiaive contact Josh Carmine: josh.carmine@dpanzorg.nz.

Attendance at Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel

Supported by DPA Board Member Ireen Rahiman-Manuel and Chief Executive Nicola Keen-Biggelaar, DPA Advisor Madison Chang was invited to attend the open meeting of the Auckland Council Ethnic Peoples Advisory Panel in August to share water safety messages with the Panel, as well as the Minister Hon Melissa Lee. After hearing Madison speak, the Minister requested that Drowning Prevention Auckland write to her office requesting assistance. Minister Lee believes swimming is a lifesaving and vital technique contributing to water competency.

It’s all in the name: Arohanui really is a special school

Arohanui School and Specialist Outreach Service is a school for children and young adults with special needs and intellectual disabilities. They cover most of the West Auckland area, providing learning opportunities and therapy services for the students in their care.

In early 2024, Drowning Prevention Auckland began working with the school with an initial teacher workshop upskilling all teachers on the 15 Water Competencies for Drowning Prevention. Since then, Drowning Prevention Auckland educators have supported teachers in Arohanui School’s various learning units enabling students to learn about and improve their skills in aquatic education.

Arohanui’s learning unit at Hobsonville Point Secondary School has implemented this learning in both the classroom and the pool.

“We are surrounded by water so it’s very important to learn these skills,” says Arohanui teacher Kyla Moore.

“Most of our students love water. We also have a student whose mum nearly drowned a few years back, he followed a blow up ball that blew into the water and then his mum went in to save him. They both nearly drowned, and the mum was in hospital for a few days, so we know how important these skills are.”

Kyla and her team have been very pro-active with in-class water safety lessons using Drowning Prevention Auckland resources as well as regular pool sessions at Albany Stadium Pool, with support from DPA educators.

“Our students are more confident in the water. Some couldn’t float and now they can or at least they’re willing to try to float and put their head under water,” Kyla says.

If you are a special needs school who would like your students to learn about drowning prevention, please contact Helen Meyrick: helen.meyrick@dpanz.org.nz.

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Activating water safety in the community

Activating water safety in the community

Over the past month, Drowning Prevention Auckland has actively promoted water safety education to people of all ages and experiences across a variety of settings. Highlights include the Wai Wise workshop for Asian and Pasifika communities, lifeguard training at Mt Albert Aquatic Centre, community engagement at the Hutchwilco Boat Show, a fun-filled water safety session for under-fives, as well as the launch of the Tāmaki Herenga Waka pilot programme for schools.

Read on for the full stories…

Tāmaki Herenga Waka Pilot Programme

In early May, Drowning Prevention Auckland piloted a new programme for schools, Tāmaki Herenga Waka, with enthusiastic Year 10 rangatahi and kaiako from Aorere College. The group spent a day at Okahu Bay learning water competence, including kayaking and stand-up paddling, thanks to Fergs Kayaks, which was a new experience for many of the students.

Students self-tested their floating and swimming skills in open water, discovering valuable lessons about their abilities. A great learning moment for those who realised they could not float or swim as well as they thought they could. Despite the chilly water, they enjoyed the experience and learned important safety tips, such as checking the tide before entering the water and staying calm if things get difficult.

Thanks to funding from the Hugh Green Foundation, DPA will expand this programme to more Auckland secondary and intermediate schools in the coming year. For more information or to register for the programme, contact Lynley Stewart at lynley.stewart@dpanz.org.nz.

Fun learning for under-fives and parents

Heleine Vaka’uta Feki knows the importance of water safety in the Tongan community. The Managing Director of Kakapa Atu, a Tongan home-based care organisation feels so strongly about this issue that she has been working with Drowning Prevention Auckland to educate the carers and parents in her organisation on water competence and active supervision.

“It is paramount for everyone but especially Pacific Islanders, we have lost too many Pacific Islanders to drowning”, she says.

Last month the group brought smiles and laughter to Rescare Homes Village in Weymouth when a group of parents, carers and pre-schoolers from Kakapa Atu joined together for a Drowning Prevention Auckland water competency workshop.

During their pool time, the group learnt about what active supervision of under-fives around water looks like, how to enter and exit the water safely, as well as practicing floating, moving through the water and submersion. The session also provided an opportunity for parents and carers to bond with their children in a fun and safe environment.

Heleine Vaka’uta Feki is now looking to educate the teachers in her organisation around water safety and encourages other Pasifika education services to do the same.

As teachers we need to be confident when teaching our children around water and water play, it’s good to be aware of what we need to do to survive and keep our children safe.

Drowning Prevention Auckland would like to acknowledge and thank Rescare Homes Trust for the use of their pool facilities.

If you are an education service provider who would like to know more about water safety education for your teachers and/or parents and caregivers, please contact Helen Meyrick for more information: helen.meyrick@dpanz.org.nz

Engaging the Public at Hutchwilco Boat Show

Drowning Prevention Auckland attended the Hutchwilco Boat Show, engaging the public in water safety education and helping fit lifejackets for people enjoying the bumper boats. It was a day full of fun activities, with an emphasis on promoting water safety. Our team promoted the free DPA Lifejacket Hubs and gave away two free lifejackets to attendees who interacted with their stall, helping them stay safer in, on and around the water.

Oxygen and Defibrillator Training for lifeguards

Drowning Prevention Auckland teamed up with Mt Albert Aquatic Centre to train lifeguards in oxygen administration and defibrillator use. The training included practical and theoretical applications, as well as high-performance CPR scenarios.

Wai Wise Broadening Horizons

“A practical, but meaningful experience in the water!”

Michael Bao shares his excitement after attending the Wai Wise open water workshop hosted by Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) at Vector Wero Whitewater Park. He joined 37 other participants from Asian and Pasifika communities in learning essential water safety skills, including safe entry/exit, use of lifejackets, and cold-water survival.

Participants then enjoyed white water rafting, kayaking, and stand-up paddling, gaining valuable experience and improving their water safety knowledge. DPA plans to offer more Wai Wise programmes in the upcoming year to support communities in learning about water safety.

To find out more about this programme email ants.lowe@dpanz.org.nz.

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School adds water safety into outdoor education

School adds water safety into outdoor education

Education Outside the Classroom (EOTC) provides the perfect opportunity for students to develop aquatic competencies. Bringing learning to life and finding out first-hand how to stay safer in, on and around the water.

Drowning Prevention Auckland (DPA) works with schools to implement drowning prevention competencies into existing educational experiences – providing teacher Professional Learning and Development resources and programme support.

Stanmore Bay School shares their story

Part-way down Auckland’s Whangaparāoa Peninsula, Stanmore Bay School is only minutes walk from Stanmore Bay and a short drive to popular beaches like Orewa Beach and Red Beach.

Knowing how accessible water is to their community, the school engaged with DPA in 2023 to upskill their teachers on aquatics education. But with their school pool out of action for the foreseeable future, they decided to focus on implementing water safety into their Education Outside of the Classroom (EOTC) programme.

They began by working closely with DPA educators on what resources and key learning ideas would best suit their students. It was decided that a focus on beach safety would be appropriate.

“We live on a peninsula and the majority of our students go to the beach on a regular basis,” says Senior Leadership Teacher Robyn Bennett.

“Every second year we organise a surfing day at Orewa Beach for our senior students, it helps with supporting classroom relationship building and water safety.”

After an initial consultation with the school, DPA provided them with learning resources on rip currents and beach risks and hazards to implement into their beach day programme.

Students learnt how to spot a rip and what to do if they were caught in one, there were also hands-on activities to be done at the water’s edge.

“It’s a lot better to learn out here (at the beach) than in the classroom,” says Teacher David Wood.
“It doesn’t mean much to them until they actually get out here and make those connections. Also, its fun, they get to have a great time experiencing the beach with their friends.”

Parent Courtney Gallen, who was a helper on the beach day, was impressed with the learning she saw. “It’s great that the school are doing this, it’s really valuable as we are surrounded by water so the kids need to be confident in the water.”

Robyn Bennett is encouraging all schools to consider implementing water safety learning into their next school camp, field trip, sports day or any EOTC event.

“Do it!!” she says.

“It is part of the health curriculum and it can be so easily integrated into other areas of learning.”

If you would like more information on how Drowning Prevention Auckland can help you implement aquatics education into your Education Outside of the Classroom, please contact Helen Meyrick helen.meyrick@dpanz.org.nz.
CONTACT HELEN MEYRICK

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Kai Gathering with Te Ara a Hape

Kai Gathering with Te Ara a Hape

The youth group from Makaurau Marae recently completed our Kai Gathering programme which ended on a high with two open water dives at Te Kohuroa/Matheson Bay. The conditions on the day were perfect for the dive with some serious excitement levels!

Prior to reaching the coast they completed six pool sessions that are based on the 15 water competencies for drowning prevention. The students were able to draw on their existing experience from venturing out with whānau and friends to learn the essential skills, behaviours and attitudes that would keep them safe.

These included understanding shallow water blackout – knowing how to recognise if their buddy was in danger and how to respond. It was great to see them communicating with hand signals and working to keep each other safe.

After mastering some of the trickier skills like how to put on their weight belts whilst in the water, and perfecting the diving and surfacing safely, we took them on a snorkel safari! The group moved together on the course, finishing near the rocks where they were able to swim around, looking for any sea life they could find.

Like any water based activity, working in the pool to perfect the necessary competencies is important before heading out into the ocean. This programme not only teaches them the skills and behaviours but changes the attitudes and ability to assess what could go wrong and how they would respond. We know that they will be able to carry out and use everything they learnt when they are next out diving or snorkelling in the future.
Kairo Jacobs

Aquatic Educator

More Kai Gathering information

Click the link to learn more about our kai gathering workshops.

Contact: Harry Aonga – 021 111 8674 harry.aonga@dpanz.org.nz

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Wai Wise: Free water safety programme for Indian community

Wai Wise: Free water safety programme for Indian community

Sign up for Waiwise
Come and try out new water activities and learn how to be safer, in on and around the water.

Wai Wise is a free, half day programme open to the Indian community (aged 15+). Participants will increase knowledge and awareness of the different and unique water environments we are surrounded by in Tāmaki Makaurau / Auckland.

Activities include a lifejacket experience, paddleboarding, kayaking and rafting in a controlled environment at Vector Wero Whitewater Park. The park is a world class tourism destination and the only one of its kind in Aotearoa / New Zealand.

DPA’s evidence-based teaching covers the 15 Water Competencies for Drowning Prevention. These learning outcomes are the knowledge, skills, attitudes and behaviours we teach in all of our programmes to help prevent drowning and make sure everyone comes home safe.

Places are limited with three Saturday sessions running this summer. Be sure to sign up today or get in touch with any questions.

Key learnings

  • Understanding survival positions in lifejackets for a survival situation
  • Preparation, knowledge and understanding around open water (weather, wind, swell)
  • Paddling competence and technique
  • Safe entries and exits from land and boat

Dates

2 December 2023 – 9.30am – 1.15pm
17 February 2024 – 9.30am – 1.15pm
16 March 2024 – 9.30am – 1.15pm

Location

Vector Wero Whitewater Park

Sign up for Wai Wise

The free programme is open to the Indian community aged 15+ and is suitable for beginners.

Contact: Harry Aonga – 021 111 8674 harry.aonga@dpanz.org.nz

Funded by Tū Manawa / Sport New Zealand.

SIGN UP

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