KEY POINTS:
Fifteen people drowned in January this year, less than the five-year average of 18.
Figures released by Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) showed 10 of the drownings were recreational, three were non-recreational and two were other - suicide and road vehicle.
Five of the drownings occurred in rivers, four at beaches, three off shore, one in a lake and one in a home pool.
WSNZ said the number of Pacific Island people drowning, three in January, was a "cause for concern".
In 2007 11 Pacific people, 10 per cent of the total toll, drowned.
A community meeting with WSNZ will be held in Auckland on February 14 to tackle the number of Pacific people drowning.
W SNZ general manager Matt Claridge said specific attention must be paid to the development of fundamental swim and survival skills in order to continue the toll's downward trend.
- NZPA
