Three people died over the weekend in drowning incidents in the Auckland region.

Rescuer Simon Chaplin speaks to the Herald about the tragic events on the Awhitu peninsula. Video/Greg Bowker

Couple tell of taking kayak out to save children, but it was too late for their father.

Pair who died at Cascade Falls were keen football players at Massey High School.

Person plucked from water at popular Auckland beach.

More women, children and elderly died in New Zealand waters.

A 37-year-old woman has drowned at Taharoa Domain, Omamari, in Northland.

Record numbers of beach goers and rescues this summer have left lifeguards shattered.

Rescuer meets friends of Hemin Limbachiya who drowned after asking that his wife be saved.

Volunteer lifeguards hailed after dozens of surf rescues over the weekend.

Body recovered after 16-year-old feared swept away.

The 16-year-old nearly drowned trying to save two swimmers on Sunday.

Twice as many Aucklanders drowned in preventable tragedies last year than in 2016.

Renee Hodgkinson is being remembered as an intelligent, quirky, and vibrant person.

Whanganui mum Holly Toohill said she has nightmares about the day her son nearly drowned.

The free-spirited woman who died at Maruia Falls was a "beautiful soul", friends say.

The Motukea woman who drowned at Maruia Falls on Saturday has been named.

Woman drowns at Maruia Falls in upper South Island.

Drowning is the fourth biggest unintentional cause of death in New Zealand.

Each death a 'heartbreaking tragedy', Water Safety NZ's Jonty Mills says.

The Swim Reaper will be targeting young men who mix alcohol and water sports this summer.

Maxwell McDonald has died after going for a swim on the West Coast during his birthday.

A child has drowned in the Auckland suburb of Epsom tonight.

A man who drowned was convicted of manslaughter in August after incident in 2015.

A boat capsized off Taranaki overnight.

A 5-year-old boy who drowned after falling from the Devonport wharf has been named.

Youngster slips from rescuers' hands in chilly harbour waters.

Tragedy strikes family after 2-year-old found unconscious in friend's pool.

Police Remembrance Day is the most poignant day in the police calendar, Mike Bush said.

Man died after going into the water off boat; medical event after rescue given as cause.