Drowning... it's not a "TOLL"!

Dying to be heard: The despair behind our drowning statistics.

Our approach to water safety is dangerously complacent. We've normalised a level of loss that should be unthinkable. Last year, we lost 90 lives to preventable drowning. That's more than a number. It’s a grim tally of personal tragedies. The loss and despair that comes with every drowning should also bring shame, because our drowning statistics are a national embarrassment.

As the Chief Executive of Water Safety New Zealand, a Kiwi male and a member of the cohort over-represented in our drowning statistics, I see it as my responsibility to address this shocking reality that should motivate everyone, politicians in particular, to do better.

Let me be as clear as the water of a freshly chlorinated pool. This is a national crisis that demands a national response. How can we, a nation that prides itself on its stunning waterways and coastline, continue to accept these deaths as a routine “toll”?

A “toll” is ‘a tax or fee paid for some liberty or privilege.’ These 90 lives are sons and daughters, fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters. It is abhorrent to consider them a “tax” we pay to enjoy the privilege of being in nature. Each drowning is a deafening call for action. But who’s listening?

I’m calling on the new government to recognise this is not a 'toll' to be paid, it is an emergency. It's time to redefine our relationship with water. Our beautiful coastlines and rivers shouldn't be marred by a legacy of loss and grief. We demand more than words; we need concrete, bold action that prioritises the safety and lives of New Zealanders.

There's no excuse for inaction or ignorance. We now have the capability to analyse drowning data in unprecedented detail. We know the risks, we understand the trends, and we can identify solutions. What we need is the political will and investment to match.

This isn't just about policy change; it's about a cultural shift. We need to instil a deep respect for water in every New Zealander, young and old. We should aspire to be a nation that not only connects with and enjoys its waterways but does so with skills and knowledge and the utmost regard for safety and life.

To our government: This is your moment to lead, to invest, and to make a real difference. We cannot, and must not, resign ourselves to a future where drowning is a routine part of our national story. Your inaction costs lives. As a nation, we must rise to the challenge and ensure that the waterways, we cherish, are no longer a backdrop to tragedy.

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This opinion piece reflects the views of Daniel Gerrard, CEO of Water Safety New Zealand, and is intended to provoke thought and action regarding drowning prevention and water safety.