Toddler and 4-year-old drown - parents warned to be alert

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Authorities are urging parents to stay within arm's reach of their children around water after two drowned in separate incidents.

A 23-month-old girl drowned in her parents' swimming pool at Marton about 2.15pm on Sunday.

Soon after, it was reported that a 4-year-old boy had drowned after being swept down the Whakatane River at Ruatoki.

Relatives of both children tried desperately to resuscitate them. Neither of their names was available.

A police spokesman in Marton confirmed the in-ground pool was well fenced but he would not say how the drowning happened.

Police in Ruatoki said some members of the dead boy's family were still to be told of his death.

Water Safety New Zealand spokesman Matt Claridge urged parents to keep a close watch around the water.

"Small children should be supervised at all times. That means parents or caregivers are within reach and able to give assistance if needed," he said. "Ideally, parents will be in the water with the child. They'll also have more fun that way. And, if they are in the water with the child, there is less opportunity to be distracted."

Mr Claridge said the children's deaths took the number of drownings for the holiday period to seven. It ends at 6am tomorrow.

"Often we will track at a drowning a day through the holiday period, about half the number of deaths as the road toll," he said. "We had 10 last year and normally average around eight."

Mr Claridge said adults also needed to be careful in the water.

"Swimmers need to stay between the flags or at least swim in safe spots. If you are diving you should not exceed the depth you are comfortable with and dive with a buddy. It's fairly sensible advice but it's important."

He said boaties needed to ensure all passengers had lifejackets on and that they checked the weather forecasts before going out.

"Have the guts to say, 'No, I'm not going out,"' he said.

Police were also urging those going into rivers, lakes or the sea to recognise their abilities and work to them, lest they find themselves in difficulties a long way from help.

They ask people to "do what they oughta by being safe in the water".

On Sunday, Hamilton man Wayne Tehau Belmont, 42, drowned while free-diving for paua between Kawhia and Albatross Pt. He was just 30m from shore.

Yesterday, a 58-year-old man died in the water near the Tairua Surf Club. A medical condition is believed to have been responsible.

And, on New Year's Eve, Kihikihi man Raymond Saunders, 68, died when his boat was swamped off the northern Coromandel coast.

SAFETY FIRST

* Parents should stay within arm's reach of children in water.
* Ideally be in the water with the children.
* Swimmers should swim between the flags.
* All boat passengers need to wear lifejackets and check the weather before going out.