Hayley Patuwai made a name for himself after he went over Huka Falls on a body board.

Water rescue underway off Mount Maunganui beach

He was a champion wrestler, but Aubrey Sara was best known as a fearless shark hunter.

27-year-old fishermen who died slipping off a rock found "heavily intoxicated"

Aucklander Gary Price jumped in the river with another man to help the woman to safety.

Spear fisher who was injured at sea had to rent out his house to survive.

Mourners remember happy, sociable couple survived by nine children.

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

Surf lifesavers are giving more time and rescuing more people but funding remains short.

Three other kayakers who went to help are in trouble about 300m offshore.

A rescue helicopter has been sent in to winch out two men on board a troubled yacht.

Mother-of-two Maria Noakes was a respected competitive kayaker.

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

Tauranga man's rapids stunt described as 'playing Russian roulette' with his life.

Off-duty lifeguards conducted seven rescues in an hour and 15 minutes on Friday afternoon.

Health warnings were issued at dozens of beaches around the city yesterday.

Sosi Turagaiviu and Mitch Woolley died when a swimming trip turned to tragedy.

Friends and family of Jack Sutton have barely left the beach where the teen was last seen.

A boy has been reported missing in the water at Sumner Beach, in Christchurch.

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

Two men have been praised for saving the life of a 12-year-old trapped in a river.

Papamoa lifeguard Laura Weston rescued seven people who were caught in "flash rips".

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

A man is in a critical condition after jumping off the popular footbridge in Raglan

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

The kayakers did the right thing when they got into trouble, police said.

No sign of missing skydiver after final phase of Lake Wakatipu sonar search.

Two people were injured in a water incident at Muriwai on Auckland's west coast.

Sting stays in your togs, so wash them thoroughly.

The grieving family faces costs of up to $20,000.