New Zealand has one of the highest fatal drowning rates in the OECD1. This report is our way of drawing a line in the sand. We, Surf Life Saving New Zealand, are saying “enough is enough”. No more unnecessary deaths from drowning on our beaches and along our coastline.
NORTHLAND
FATAL DROWNING SNAPSHOT
Figure 29
2009-19: Northland Beach and Coastal Fatal
Drownings (n=55)
In 2018-19, there were seven fatal drownings in Northland.
This figure was above the 10-year average of six. The 2018-
19 fatal drowning rate per 100,000 pop. was 3.91, which is
above the average 10-year rate (3.29); and higher than the
rest of the country.
Fatal Drownings (n)
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
2009-10
2010-11
Fatal Drownings
Fatal Drowning Rate
2011-12
2012-13
2013-14
2014-15
Year
2015-16
2016-17
2017-18
2018-19
6.0
5.0
4.0
3.0
2.0
1.0
0.0
Fatal Drowning Rate
(per 100,000 pop.)
Swimming/Wading
Watercraft
Net/Shell Fishing
Fall
Boating
Snorkelling
Rock Fishing
Attempting a Rescue
Figure 31
Comparison of Beach and Coastal Fatal Drowning Rates per Activity: 2009-19 (10-year average) and 2018-19
In 2018-19 fatal drownings per 100,000 pop. were lower than the 10-year average (2009-19) in swimming/wading,
snorkelling, net/shell fishing and attempting a rescue activities. However, annual drowning rates per 100,000 pop. (2018-19)
were up in falls, boating, watercraft and rock fishing activities when compared to the 10-year average.
SWIMMING / WADING
SNORKELLING
FALL
BOATING
WATERCRAFT
2009-19
0.85
2009-19
0.29
2009-19
0.23
2009-19
0.25
2018-19
0.56
2018-19
0.56
2018-19
0.56
2018-19
2.23
Figure 30
2009-19: Beach and Coastal Fatal Drownings by
Activity (n=55)
Within the Northland region, the majority of beach and
coastal fatalities occurred when swimming/wading (n=14),
watercraft (n=12) and net/shell fishing (n=9).
7%
7%
9%
7%
7%
16%
ROCK FISHING
2009-19
0.54
2009-19
0.24
NET / SHELL FISHING
2009-19
0.24
ATTEMPTING A RESCUE
2009-19
0.72
25%
22%
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.56
2018-19
0.00
2018-19
0.00
10-YEAR OVERVIEW | 2009-19 1-YEAR OVERVIEW | 2018-19
55
Attempting a Rescue
Boating
Diving / Jumping
Fall
Net / Shell Fishing
Rock Fishing
Scuba Diving
Snorkeling
Swimming / Wading
Watercraft
TOTAL FATAL DROWNINGS: 55
AVERAGE FATAL DROWNINGS
6
PER YEAR
KEY DEMOGRAPHIC
YEAR OLD MALE
SWIMMERS/WADERS
87%
MALE
13%
FEMALE
AVERAGE FATALITY
3.29
PER 100,000 POPULATION
45+ 45+
YEAR OLD
MALE BOATERS
FATAL DROWNINGS
AVERAGE FATALITY
7 3.91
FATAL DROWNINGS BY LOCATION
14%
FATAL DROWNINGS BY ACTIVITY
14%
15%
15%
14%
Surf Beach
0-1 Km from Shore
14%
Watercraft
Fall
57%
Surf Beach
57%
Watercraft
PER 100,000 POPULATION
Estuary
Rivers
Swimming/Wading
Net/Shell Fishing
57%
57%
38
SURF LIFE SAVING NEW ZEALAND NATIONAL BEACH AND COASTAL SAFETY REPORT
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