Seven people will drown in the next two weeks

Already this year, almost one person a week has drowned - eight more in total than last year. Photo / Duncan Brown

Seven people will drown in the next fortnight, and 5.6 of them will be men. That's if the average drowning toll for the past five years continues, warns the water safety sector.

Already this year, almost one person a week has drowned -- eight more in total than last year.

As New Zealand enters the official Christmas holiday period, from 4pm today until 6am on January 5, Water Safety New Zealand has warned that "enough is enough".

"We're calling for all New Zealanders to stop and think about water safety this Christmas," said the water safety body's chief executive, Matt Claridge.

"If we can just get everyone to do that, then I'll be announcing the first zero drowning toll on record for this period come January 5."

Men make up 80 per cent of the annual drowning toll, and many deaths are due to boating accidents. Mr Claridge said if people paused to think about the risks and their personal limitations around water, New Zealand might be able to halve the number of male drownings, which is one of the sector's goals outlined in the Water Safety Sector Strategy 2020.

Coastguard New Zealand chief executive Patrick Holmes said boaties should follow the five rules of the Boating Safety Code:

•Wear a lifejacket.

•Carry communications.

•The skipper is responsible.

•Check the weather.

•Do not drink alcohol.

"The skipper is responsible for the safety of everyone onboard and for the safe operation of the boat, so knowing the limitations of your vessel and experience could save lives. With New Zealand's unpredictable weather, it's important that boaties check the local marine weather forecast," Mr Holmes said.

Two preshoolers also drowned this year, which Mr Claridge said was two too many.

"The only way to keep children under 5 safe is to keep them within arm's reach and line of sight at all times. It's that simple. No children under 5 should be drowning in this country."

To help keep the death toll at zero, coastguard, surf lifeguards, maritime officers and many other volunteers will be out in force to help keep Kiwis safe this summer.

Surf Life Saving New Zealand national life saving manager, Allan Mundy, said more than 4000 lifeguards would be on duty at about 80 beaches nationwide.

"The beach is our natural playground - but stopping and thinking before you go into the water could save your life. Be prepared, watch out for yourself and others, be aware of the dangers and know your limits."

Mr Dalton says beach goers should choose a patrolled beach where lifeguards are on hand and swim between the flags.

•Patrolled beaches can be found on www.findabeach.co.nz.

•The NowCasting app is a great way to keep up-to-date with changes in weather as it provides automatic weather updates (wind and sea condition) for boaties via the Coastguard VHFnetwork.