Bay's drowning toll adds to reduced tally

Preliminary drowning figures show six people drowned in the Bay of Plenty during the first six months of 2014 - contributing to New Zealand's lowest mid-year drowning toll since records began in 1980.

The deaths are part of a national toll of 35 drownings for the year to June 30 and do not include any deemed by the Coroner as drowning related.

The figure was down 35 per cent on the five-year mid-year average of 43 deaths.

Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge said the comparatively low number of drownings was a positive sign that water safety efforts were beginning to make a difference.

"It's promising to see the number of drownings are declining, especially for some of our high risk groups such as boaties, but there's no room for complacency. One drowning is one too many and if we are to continue to reduce the drowning toll, we need all New Zealanders to make water safety a priority."

The boating toll year to date is three. This is one third of the five-year mid-year average.

Mr Claridge said while water safety was unlikely to be top of people's minds during colder months, drowning was a year round issue.

Coastguard Boating Education general manager Neil Murray encouraged all boaties to use the winter months to complete one of its courses to keep safe on the water.