Despite tragedy at the weekend, it is one of the "safest" lakes around, the harbourmaster says, because of the clearly-defined areas for passive recreation, such as swimming.

A woman has died at Taipa Beach in the Far North tonight.

Join Tristram Clayton as he finds out what the laws around wearing life jackets in New Zealand are from Coastguard Northern Region's Operations Manager Ray Burge.

Volunteer lifeguards battled waves up to 7m high as they desperately searched for survivors of the Kaipara charter boat tragedy.

The skipper of the doomed fishing charter vessel Francie is among those who died in yesterday's tragedy.

Choppy conditions face searchers looking for three people missing after a fishing charter trip turned to tragedy on the Kaipara Harbour yesterday.

A dinghy found floating near Brown's Island may be connected to the mysterious fire there, police have confirmed.

A wife is distraught after her husband died at the beach where he posed for his wedding photo just seven months earlier.

Water Safety New Zealand issues warning after a disturbing series of images showing someone being swept off their feet by a crashing wave.

A raft of changes to safety rules for swimming pools will save lives, the Government says - but some are not convinced.

The familiar red and gold colours of surf lifesavers are about to make a return to Northland beaches this weekend as the weather and

A kitesurfer has cheated possible death after becoming tangled in his kite lines at Muriwai Beach.

Hawke's Bay iwi Ngāti Kahungunu say it warned authorities for decades about the risk of water contamination.

Four people have survived after their boat capsized near Wellington this morning.

The uncle of a Taranaki teen missing since his boat capsized six days ago has praised the support of the community, as the search continues for the 18-year-old's body.

A scuba diving company has been ordered to pay $70,000 in reparations for failing to keep a Taiwanese tourist safe after she died while on a dive in the Coromandel.

There was no slow-motion running down a Californian beach for dozens of young Kiwi lifeguards who oversaw up to 10,000 beachgoers each day.

Three inexperienced surfers are counting their lucky starfish after getting caught in a rip and being sucked out to sea yesterday.

COMMENT: The Government is right now in the process of passing the Building (Pools) Amendment Act, writes Julie Chambers.

Environment Minister Nick Smith says he will not commit to making every single waterway in NZ "swimmable" because it would be too complex and costly.

Just days after New Zealand's longest river failed a major health check, a grassroots group is petitioning Parliament demanding action.

Tony Bedford was at a Coromandel beach on Valentine's Day when he saw someone in trouble in the water.

Police are warning divers to exercise extreme caution following the eighth fatal dive accident since Christmas.

The proposed weakening of swimming pool fencing law is a "reckless" experiment which will lead to an increase in toddler drownings, say specialists.

Emergency services were called to the incident at Akitio, north of Masterton and east of Palmerston North, about 5pm.

A retired couple were nearly swept out to sea when a rogue wave hit the coastline at Porsguen beach in Portsal, France.

Punakaiki residents say they want to be told if chlorine is added to their drinking-water supply.

Singer-songwriter Jamie McDell is fronting a campaign for DHL and Surf Life Saving New Zealand at Piha and Pauanui, her home beach, this month.

The family of a 5-year-old girl would like to find and thank the man who saved their daughter from drowning at Mission Bay.

Police have confirmed they have spoken with a 17-year-old man in relation to a jumping accident yesterday and have cleared him of any criminal wrongdoing.