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The seven victims of the canyoning tragedy in Mangatepopo Stream last month have pushed drowning figures for April to the highest in 11 years.
Six students and a teacher from Elim Christian College, in Auckland, died after the canyoning group they were part of got caught out by rapidly rising water near Turangi on April 15.
Water Safety New Zealand said the multiple fatalities had severely skewed the drowning statistics - lifting the total number of drowning deaths to 13.
This was the highest number since 22 were recorded in 1997.
The average number of drowning deaths during the month of April is six.
WSNZ general manager Matt Claridge said typically April contributed 13 per cent of the January to April year to date toll, but this year the figure was 30 per cent.
There have been 44 drowning deaths in New Zealand in the year to April.
At the same time last year there had been 45 deaths.
"Obviously for the month of April figures are double the annual average, but when considering the statistics across a lengthier period of time, April's high is tempered by the significant reductions noted in all other months prior in 2008," Mr Claridge said.
Of the 13 drowning fatalities in April, 11 involved people taking part in recreational activity.
The remaining two deaths were accidental immersion incidents, Mr Claridge said.
"Isolated incidents as a result of severe weather conditions will continue to present risks to all New Zealanders," he said.
"Water safety education is a vital means to reducing drowning incidents.
"Most importantly; familiarisation, confidence and ability are all contributing factors to enjoying the water safely, regardless of the environment or activity."
- NZPA
