A teenage boy saved the woman trying to rescue him from drowning by letting her go.

Surf Life Saving Northern region is calling for better funding to allow it to grow.

The swimmer had gone missing yesterday evening after diving into the water.

A young man has died following an incident in a private spa pool in Ohinemutu, Rotorua.

Ben Gardner drowned a couple of weeks before Christmas while saving a young girl.

Girl survives by holding on to branch after being swept down Motueka River.

Police say first aid was carried out on the victim but sadly he could not be revived.

Surge in the number of inexperienced Auckland boaties prompts new water safety strategy.

Firefighter describes condition of cold, wet and hypothermic baby just after ocean rescue.

EXCLUSIVE: Young woman who drowned in Waikato River praised for helping friend to safety.

Chantal Kerlin fell pregnant shortly after losing her 2-year-old daughter in a drowning.

Mourners remember happy, sociable couple survived by nine children.

The nine siblings are sticking together after losing both their parents in the tragedy.

Kay Dah Ukay and Mu Thu Pa will be farewelled by their nine children at funeral on Friday.

Former refugees Kay Dah Ukay and his wife Mu Thu Pa were fishing when tragedy struck.

A man and woman have drowned after being swept off rocks at Muriwai Beach in West Auckland.

A man and woman have drowned after being swept off rocks at Muriwai Beach.

Drowning rate among under-fives a "genuine and serious concern", Water Safety NZ says.

"I couldn't find him, I didn't know where he was, I just lost sight of him."

"I couldn't find him, I didn't know where he was."

Police were called to the beach at 5am.

Imtiaz Aziz, 40, drowned at a beach at Awhitu Regional Park on Sunday afternoon.

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.