KEY POINTS:
Pacific Islanders are being urged to rethink their water safety habits for New Zealand's colder climate.
The advice comes as part of a national drowning prevention strategy aimed at Pacific people, who regularly top drowning statistics.
The Pacific Peoples Water Safety Strategy - announced by Water Safety New Zealand - includes an information booklet in six Pacific languages and a national roadshow which will head to churches and community agencies, informing people of water safety awareness.
A DVD called Without a Father has also been released, telling the story of a Tongan family of eight who lost their dad after he drowned while out at sea.
Pacific project manager Ben Taufua says there is a misconception among many Pacific Islanders that oceans and rivers in New Zealand are the same as those in their home countries.
"One of the ironic things is that because we come from the islands, the assumption is that we should know how to survive [in the water]," he said.
"But that's in the islands. The currents are different, the coastline is different and the water is colder over here. Because we're unfamiliar with that, we're already exposed - it's up to us to understand that."
Water Safety New Zealand statistics show that in the past five years, 39 people of Pacific descent have drowned, with the majority occurring while victims were taking part in a recreational activity such as fishing or swimming.
Of those drownings 64 per cent were recreational, and 87 per cent of victims were male. Eight people of Pacific descent drowned during the last holiday season and, to date, another drowning had raised that number to nine, Mr Taufua said.
He acknowledged that most drownings where the victim was of Pacific descent tended to involve an adult rather than a child.
"A lot of our people go out with no lifejackets or in the wrong clothing. Last year, a man who drowned was wearing jeans. So this strategy is about educating people about suitable behaviour," Mr Taufua said.
"Know the weather, wear lifejackets, make sure the boat is working properly, let someone know where you're going and when you'll be back - things we take for granted but don't often do."
