Holiday drownings 'inevitable'

More people in the water means more potential drownings. File photo / Sarah Ivey

People must know their limits in the water if the number of drownings is to fall, Water Safety New Zealand general manager Matt Claridge says.

Ten people have drowned this Christmas period, equalling last year but well up on the five-year average of six. The period is the same as that for the road toll - from 4pm on Christmas Eve to 6am on January 5 -- and as at 4pm today, 11 people had died on the roads, compared with 10 in the water.

The latest drowning death was that of a woman in her 70s, whose body was found floating in a west Auckland river today. Police said it was still too soon to say what happened but that she could have slipped into the river when she went out for a walk.

Other deaths included that of 27-year-old Fijian man Anare Roqica Nayacatoga, the cousin of New Zealand Sevens star Lote Raikabula.

Mr Nayacatoga, who had been living in New Zealand for 2-1/2 years, disappeared while diving for mussels at Wellington's Seatoun Beach yesterday and his body was found this morning.

Mr Claridge told NZPA drownings in January were "inevitable" because far more people than usual were in or on the water.

"We're always wary this time of year," he said.

"We just encourage people to play it safe around the water while still having fun."

Everyone - whether they were boating, swimming, jetskiing or fishing - needed to know their limits, Mr Claridge said.

"That means being aware of their skill level and knowledge, and staying within those limits."

- NZPA