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.

Authorities are urging parents to stay within arm's reach of their children around water.

The mother of a girl who helped to rescue a friend of Raphael Alualu, who drowned after leaping into a swimming hole on Auckland's North Shore, say she is very proud of what her daughter did.

Police have named a 17-year-old boy who went missing after diving into a North Shore lake yesterday.

Divers are looking for a 16-year-old who disappeared after jumping into the water from a cliff.

While the weather is predicted to be perfect for taking to the water this long weekend, people are being warned that the sea can be particularly dangerous at this time of year.

A prolonged heatwave across Russia combined with a prodigious consumption of vodka has led to dozens of drownings every day.

A mystery woman leapt into the sea to save a boy, 4, who was floating face down and being carried into deeper water on the outgoing tide.