WAI ORA TĀMAKI MAKAURAU
Auckland's Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Strategy
The purpose of Wai Ora Tāmaki Makaurau – Auckland’s Water Safety and Drowning Prevention Strategy is to be informed by our communities to “set the direction” for the sector, so that all can progress towards the ultimate vision “no one drowns”. This acknowledges the challenge of our beautifully diverse region and a large number of separate entities and stakeholders involved in the sector. The Strategy will provide direction, encourage collaboration and ultimately strive for collective impact between all those involved in drowning prevention and water safety in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland.
VISION | MOEMOEĀ
Everyone in Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland has the opportunity to safely connect to and enjoy the water.
Kia whai waahi katoa ngā tāngata o Tāmaki Makaurau ki te noho haumaru ki te wai.
MISSION | WHAKATAKANGA
Tāmaki Makaurau, Auckland works collectively to instill respect for the water and encourage safe tikanga and behaviours by all people to prevent water related injuries and preventable drowning.

Process Map
INFORM
Oct 2021
CONSULT
Nov 2021
INVOLVE
Nov 2021 - Apr 2022
COLLABORATE
May - Jun 2022
EMPOWER
Jul 2022 onwards
Area Boundary

Key Messages
Meet the Steering Group Members

Jennifer Gill - Philanthropic and Strategic Consultant
Jenny is a Philanthropic and Strategic Consultant with a career of over 40 years in the non profit sector and philanthropy. Jenny spent 15 years at the head of Foundation North, New Zealand’s largest philanthropic trust. She was the inaugural awardee of Philanthropy New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian Lifetime Achievement in Philanthropy Award and was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2017 New Year’s Honours.

Nicola Keen-Biggelaar - CE, Drowning Prevention Auckland
“What I am looking forward to the most, is all the participating organisations, and the wider sector, coming together to make the most of their expertise, boldly finding the opportunities to work together collegially and collectively, and getting beyond our individual goals to be led by what our communities need. As a region we are surrounded by water and I feel passionate about making sure every child and adult has access to the education they need to be competent and feel confident around water – whether they’re at the local pool, or at one of our many beautiful beaches and to know what the risks are and how to avoid them.”

Dave Lockwood - Outdoors Group Manager, YMCA
As outdoors group manager at YMCA north – Dave was nominated and voted in by the sector as a representative on the steering group.
Dave brings 35 years in the Not For Profit Sector, including senior management roles in Water Safety NZ, Counties Manukau Sport, NZ Sport Fishing Council and YMCA North. In his current role with YMCA North Dave leads the Outdoors and Fundraising teams.
Dave is committed to partnership programs that increases our reach into the community and deliver meaningful outcomes. “My role is to serve the community and enable and empower them,” says Dave, who was born and raised in the Counties Manukau region and has spent a good portion of his working life there.

Daniel Gerrard - CE, Water Safety New Zealand
Daniel Gerrard has extensive experience in the sector in leadership roles most recently as Head of Member Services at Surf Life Saving (Northern) and has previously held Chief Executive positions at Sport Auckland and Sport Gisborne Tairawhiti.
He’s spent over 12 years as Chair and board member of Canoe Racing NZ and Sportnet (Regional Sports Trusts Governing body) and was instrumental in developing and executing the Greater Auckland Aquatic Action plan (GAAAP).
Daniel has led the development and execution of organisational strategies for Virgin Active Thailand, Sport Auckland, Sport Gisborne and the Peter Snell Institute of Sport.
Daniel Gerrard says more Kiwis, especially kids, need access to lifelong participation in sport and recreation, especially in and around water.
“As Kiwis we love the water, in particular our spectacular and often wild coastlines and waterways. I am passionate about the safety of all Kiwis, especially when it comes to water and the important role it can play in personal growth. I’m excited about this opportunity to assist New Zealand’s Water Safety Sector in achieving its aspirational outcomes and bring down our drowning toll.”

Harley Wade - Ngāti Paoa, Senior Cultural Advisor
Harley is a Senior Cultural Advisor for the Ngāti Pāoa Iwi Trust and belongs to the Tainui confederation of tribes: Waikato, Maniapoto, Raukawa and Hauraki.
Harley belongs to Ngāti Pāoa and is an experienced educator with a demonstrated history of working across Mainstream, Bi-lingual and Total Immersion settings. He is also experienced with working in local Government and Iwi / Mana Whenua environmental spaces. He has strong interests in Creative Strategy, Cultural Awareness and Transformation, Cultural Resource Management, Strategic Planning and Partnerships.

Monique Maihi-Pihema - Ngāti Whātua Orākei, Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Tāngata | Engagement Manager
Monique is the Kaiwhakahaere Hononga Tangata / Stakeholder Relationships Manager for Ngāti Whātua Orākei Trust. Monique was a previous board member of Drowning Prevention Auckland and supported the board in the development of the Māori Water Safety Mātāpono. Monique chairs the Ngāti Whātua Orākei Volcanoes Sports Club and waka ama has been a key component of the sports activities that we provide the descendants and community of Orākei to reconnect to Waitematā.

Dave Stewart - Head of Active Recreation, Auckland Council
Dave currently leads 800+ employees across Tāmaki Makaurau, and $50M+ of operating expenditure to deliver play, active recreation and sport outcomes. “With innovation, accountability, and equity at the heart of my approach, I ensure every dollar is used to its fullest potential.”
Dave has a passion for the water having grown up in Tāmaki Makaurau and spends every opportunity he can both in and on the water around the region.
Meet the Strategy & Implementation Manager

Joanne Macmillan - Strategy & Implementation Manager, DPA
Jo brings over 15 years’ experience in the education and public sector specialising in sport, recreation and environmental services. With a strong foundation in strategy development and implementation management Jo spent nearly ten years with Auckland Council in varying roles. Jo developed, implemented and drove strategic initiatives that promoted and enabled active and environmentally friendly communities. Jo has been instrumental in the success of various large public projects resulting from exceptional stakeholder engagement. Jo is passionate about working with targeted Māori, Pasifika and Asian communities and ensuring that these targeted communities are recognised and represented.
Jo is originally from South Africa and when not at work can be found with her family and friends either in, on or beside the water.
Sector Communications
Sector Hui October 2021
Sector Documents
Sector Communications Downloads
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
NEW ZEALAND WATER SAFETY SECTOR STRATEGY 2025
