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Last year saw the fewest drowning deaths since records began 26 years ago, Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) announced today.
The official toll for the year was 87 -- the lowest number since 1980.
WSNZ operations manager Matt Claridge said last year's figures represented 75 per cent of the 2005 annual drowning toll of 116, which was the previous low recorded.
Notably, it is the first time ever that there have been fewer than 100 drowning fatalities in a calendar year in New Zealand, Mr Claridge said.
"To achieve a drowning toll of less than 100 is a momentous achievement," he said.
Regions with fewer drowning deaths compared to 2005 were Auckland, Waikato, Marlborough and Otago.
Increases were seen in Northland, Taupo, Taranaki, Manawatu and the West Coast.
There were no drowning deaths in the Wanganui region for the first time since 1980.
- NZPA
