Water toll lowest in years but complacency a worry

New Zealand's drowning toll continues to fall.

Last year, 103 people died, the lowest figure since records began in 1980.

Since then the yearly toll has gradually decreased from an average 181 in the 1980s to 143 in the 1990s and then 113 in 2004.

Water Safety New Zealand says it is pleased with the low toll for last year.

However, executive director Alan Muir said there was still room for improvement.

Seven pre-schoolers died last year, three of them in home pools.

"Sadly, supervision is still an issue for parents and caregivers whilst around the home, more often than not due to complacency," Mr Muir said.

Three-quarters (77) of drowning victims were male, and of those 46 per cent were aged between 15 and 44.

"It is pleasing to note that the typical Kiwi male is starting to observe some basic water safety principles and warnings," Mr Muir said.

More than half the victims were not planning to be in or on the water when they died, and 45 per cent were recreational water-users.

Since 1986, a total of 2841 people have drowned in New Zealand.

- NZPA