Experts warn we shouldn't swim at any beach in the Auckland region after heavy rain. Simon Collins finds out why.

Two kayakers can thank the swift actions of the emergency services after they fell into the water and started drifting out to sea.

Onlookers appeared more fascinated than frightened when four menacing fins surfaced in the shallows at Coopers Beach two days in a row.

The deaths of 21 young Kiwi men who drowned in our waterways last year were preventable, Water Safety New Zealand says.

A man has been resuscitated after getting into trouble in the water at a popular Northland campground this afternoon.

A couple got into trouble while swimming at a notoriously dangerous west coast beach late at night.

Emergency services are responding to reports of a person found unconscious in water in Northland.

The warning follows reports of two near-drownings in Australia from using the popular Christmas gifts in the water.

A person needs medical treatment after an accident at Kai Iwi Lakes.

One person has died in a water rescue at Doves Bay Marina, near Kerikeri in the Far North.

Uncle tells of the moment he found his 4-year-old autistic nephew floating in his neighbour's pool.

The man drowned while kayaking to Donut Island off Whangamata.

Seven people, including an infant, went out on a small boat yesterday, but just the skipper was wearing a lifejacket.

As summer starts to heat up, Kiwis are getting creative in a bid to stay cool.

Conditions were "messy" were two people got into trouble at Piha yesterday, a resident said.

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.

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.

Learning how to swim and being safe around water are important lessons many New Zealand children learn early on.

A 9-year-old suffered minor injuries after being caught in a rip at Ngarunui Beach at Raglan yesterday.

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.