Behind every drowning statistic is a grieving family. Robbie Farquhar, 29, died while he was diving at Matakatia Bay. His partner tells her story

The Government is being urged to stump up the cash for surf lifesavers and Coastguard operations, as figures show New Zealand has the third highest drowning rate in the developed world.

New Zealand had its lowest drowning death toll in six years last year - but the number of power boating-related drownings is increasing.

A fisherman who died after being swept down the Motu River has been identified as 41-year-old Benjamin Robert Tekira from Waimana, near Whakatane.

The body of a 41-year-old man was found last night after he was swept away while trying to cross an East Coast river earlier in the day.

The body of a man has been found, hours after he was swept away at the Motu rivermouth near Whakatane today.

New Zealand's most treacherous beach, Hot Water Beach, is already on its way to racking up another high rescue count in 2013.

The Coastguard is warning boaties to check conditions after gusting winds caused a spate of accidents on the Hauraki Gulf yesterday. Many of the incidents involved smaller boats which were unable to handle high winds and rough seas.

A police office's dramatic rescue of two boys and a man stuck in a rip at a Bay of Plenty beach is a reminder for water users to be aware of the dangers, police say.

Police have released the name of the woman who died reportedly trying to save her son at an Eastern Bay beach.

Three people drowned in New Zealand waters this official Christmas holiday period - between 4pm Christmas Eve and 6am today.

Two 12-year-old cousins who have won official praise for their bravery are to meet the man they saved from drowning.

Two 12-year-old boys are being praised by police for saving the life of a drowning man at Waihi Beach yesterday.

A mother has been hailed a hero after she drowned trying to save her son yesterday.

A man watched in horror as his brother drowned in stormy surf at Whiritoa beach on the Coromandel Peninsula on Christmas Eve.

A 16-year-old Christchurch boy who drowned at Lake Pegasus north of Christchurch has been remembered as an active sportsman.

Maritime New Zealand and the police are meeting today to discuss whether any charges will be laid over a double drowning in the Hauraki Gulf at the weekend.

Terminally ill Troylane Tetai didn't have much time left, and he wanted to use the little he had to fish. But his life came to an end sooner than anyone was expecting.

A devastated family ran to the sea to try to save a 19-year-old man who fell in from rocks at Muriwai Beach, but he drowned before rescuers could reach him.

The Piha couple criticised for not calling police after taking in a distressed Iraena Asher the night she drowned in 2004 are seeking to have a coroner's findings "quashed".

Promising Fijian rugby player Eroni Gaunavou suffered an epileptic seizure before drowning at Akitio beach in April, a coroner has ruled.

The family of Private Michael Ross say they are relieved the soldier's body has been found, a week after he fell into a lake near Waiouru.