Water Safety New Zealand is working closely with their partners to ensure appropriate warning signage is in place at New Zealand's waterways whilst also backing an interactive system amid alarming drowning statistics in the Bay of Plenty.

Four water-related fatalities have already been recorded in the Bay of Plenty this year, according to stats gathered by WSNZ. This does not include the death of a man at Whakatāne Heads on Sunday, with WSNZ explaining there is often a delay in injury and hospitalisation data to come through.

The current official total of four is half way to the total number of preventable drowning deaths in the region for all of 2021 – when eight fatalities were recorded across the Bay of Plenty.

WSNZ chief executive Daniel Gerrard recently called New Zealand's drowning stats a 'national disgrace”. He highlights the four fatalities in the Bay of Plenty are part of a current nationwide number of 18 – up 10 from the same point in time last year.

Keeping New Zealand's coast, rivers and lakes safe is a daunting prospect. The Mount Maunganui-Papamoa coastline, for example, has four flagged spots regularly manned by Surf Lifesaving New Zealand. However large stretches of the coast, whilst regularly patrolled, cannot be under supervision permanently.

In a five-day period in January, three separate incidents across the Omanu-Arataki coastline in Mount Maunganui saw two deaths, although one has since been confirmed as a medical incident, and another person left critically injured.

Whilst signage is regularly placed at flagged beaches, large stretches of Bay of Plenty coastline have none.

Tauranga City Council director of spaces and places Paul Dunphy says he and the rest of council were 'saddened” by the deaths in January.

He says that Council works closely with WSNZ and SLNZ to provide 'improved education and information on water safety” whilst also providing continued funding to SLNZ to provide rescue services.

'While it's fantastic that so many people are visiting our beautiful beaches this summer, it's really important that people swim at the patrolled locations,” says Paul.

'We want everyone to get home safely after a day at the beach.”

When asked about erecting more warning signage across beaches in the region, Paul says WSNZ is the lead agency on warning signs. He also says WSNZ is currently exploring opportunities for more interactive information in some key locations in the region.

Daniel confirms that WSNZ lead this field and that modernised solutions are being looked at. He says WSNZ aim to collaborate with organisations to provide specific advice to certain beaches. WSNZ want to ensure the 'right warning signs are in the right place” and 'put there by the right people,” he says.

'WSNZ have also funded Surf Life Saving NZ in the development of a beach specific Safe Swim app,” says Daniel.

'It provides lifeguarding status and water quality but will hopefully link to weather etc. to predict other dangers.

'As this is an app it is easier to get relevant safety information prior to heading to the beach.”

Daniel advises the best way to stay safe at the beach is to follow guidelines already in place such as swimming at patrolled beaches and between the flags. However, he admits signage still plays a role in water safety.

'WSNZ is working closely with SLSNZ to ensure that consistent signage is in place across all beaches warning of risks,” he says.

'WSNZ is also working with local government with regards to suitable river and lake warning signage.

'Signage offers another reminder of the potential dangers. Hopefully, it encourages people to think before they jump in.”

Daniel is aware of the risk posed at more remote beaches and has some simple advice for beachgoers for the rest of the summer period.

'If in doubt, stay out,” he says.

'Do not overestimate your own abilities and do not underestimate the conditions.”