The national drowning toll for the first two months of the year rose to 35, after 15 drownings in February.

Jacob Beck-Jaffurs, who was in his final year of medical school, has died after a spear-fishing trip near Tauranga.

Wouldn't it be nice to know that your kids can swim? Even being able to dog paddle would do, because drowning often takes only a few seconds.

Six preschoolers have drowned so far this year - equalling the total for 2010 - and water safety campaigners say it is a shocking start to the year.

Continuing a spate of drownings this New Zealand summer, three people have died in the water this weekend - including two small children.

A 52-year-old man who drowned at Muriwai Beach west of Auckland last night paid the ultimate price for not heeding the warning signs at the notoriously dangerous swimming spot.

Little Nylah Faamanu Vau, 2, went for her first swim yesterday, but will never have another one - she drowned at Waiwera Thermal Resort north of Auckland.

A woman has drowned after being caught in a strong rip in southern Hawkes Bay today, while her nine-year-old son was saved.

The drowning death toll will rise if school swimming lessons aren't made compulsory, the Government has been warned.

This is the toll drowning has taken on New Zealand in the fortnight that the nation has been on holiday.

The tragic death of a Nelson teenager this week serves as a warning of the risks of suffering from shallow water blackout when holding your breath underwater, a water safety expert says.

He was playing a game that will be familiar to many from childhood. But when Sam Goodenough's turn came to try to hold his breath the longest underwater, the game turned to tragedy, when the16-year-old blacked out and failed to surface.

A teenager has died after reportedly competing with friends to see who could hold their breath underwater the longest.

Play it safe in the water and know your limits this summer, says Water Safety New Zealand.