As the country gears up for Labour Weekend, Surf Life Saving New Zealand (SLSNZ) is strongly encouraging people to be vigilant when heading to the beach.
SLSNZ chief executive Paul Dalton said Labour Weekend was the first long weekend Kiwis had since June and as we had now passed Daylight Savings, it was an opportunity for many families to think about heading to the beach.
Traditionally, the Surf Life Saving patrol season began at Labour Weekend and continued through to Easter.
Patrols would roll out across the Bay of Plenty over the next month and further south from November as the warmer weather arrived.
Mr Dalton said Surf Life Saving was committed to making the national playground as safe as possible.