2015 Annual Report

It is my pleasure to present this, my first annual report as Chair of the Board of Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ).

The last year has seen WSNZ complete the final recommendations of the MartinJenkins review of the organisation and sector, with the completion of our structural review, and divestment of all of our delivery programmes. The organisation is now  streamlined to focus on those areas that deliver the most value and support for the wider sector and our partner organisations.

A key focus this year has been increasing our level of engagement with member and partner organisations, in order to present a unified view on key issues of public policy. It has been good to have a number of sector forums and board-to-board  meetings that have helped inform and align our thinking on shared issues of concern.  

It was devastating to have one of our highest drowning tolls during the summer months, despite increased media coverage and greater numbers of people participating in programmes and education to help people survive in the water.

We believe that it is only together as a united water safety sector that we will be truly effective in changing policy and regulations, as well as increasing the level of public awareness and understanding that everyone has a personal role  to play in preventing drowning in our communities.

A highlight for the year has been the development of a new strategy for the sector. This strategy has been developed by all members and presents a roadmap for us all to contribute to, to achieve our ambitious vision – ‘no one drowns’. On behalf  of the Board I would like to extend our thanks to all of those who have contributed to the sector strategy’s development.

Over the next year the Board work streams include the completion of the WSNZ Strategic Plan, consultation with our primary delivery partners on a multiyear investment funding strategy, while working with the Cross Sector Working Group  to define, develop and time-bind the deliverable outcomes of the sector strategy.    

All of this work would not be possible without the incredible support and investment of the Lottery Grants Board, Sport New Zealand, ACC and our commercial partners and philanthropic trusts. One of the challenges, however, is that all of this funding is annual. This makes it difficult for us to plan and invest with surety, and importantly prevents our member and partner organisations from having a longer-term view as they develop and implement programmes to reduce drowning.  This is a major focus of the Board and will be a key priority for us to address in the coming year.

As the year draws to and end, we would like to take the opportunity to thank the volunteer membership for the countless hours of work that you all put in behind the scenes, whether in administrative activities or front line operations. We thank  you for your energy, passion and support which provides an environment that allows New Zealand’s diverse communities to enjoy water based activities safely. Your efforts are truly appreciated.

We have set ourselves some ambitious targets and we should not deviate from our goals, because together we are stronger and our combined efforts do make a difference.

Danny Tuato’o, Chair

There is a funny old saying in water safety - it goes something like ‘people drown because they can’t breathe’. It’s true, but it doesn’t quite scratch the surface enough to reveal why people end up unable to breathe in the water.  

90 New Zealanders suffocated in the water last year. Another 180 experienced the hideous feeling of not being  able to breathe in the water, but were either rescued or recovered to safety - thanks to those good souls  (often volunteers) for their great work.

No matter how hard we try, there is no escaping the issue of men drowning in New Zealand. Our tide must turn. Our culture must change. Drowning is preventable - we cannot tolerate this level of drowning among  New Zealand men any longer.

This has been a year of simplifying things, both at Water Safety New Zealand (WSNZ) and across the sector. WSNZ is now a refined, lean political advocacy body, with capability in information, policy, and public awareness campaigns. The transition was tough, but essential.

The water safety sector now has a plan, a simple plan, with a clear focus on working together to prevent drowning  and injury. Making a difference at the coalface is recognised by the sector as a priority, as is improving the ‘system’  to be more efficient and effective.

The sector is focused on a few important changes that will provide the most benefit in the short and long term. WSNZ is re-focused on its ‘bread and butter’ to help tackle the big issues of sector capability, swim to survive, and by leading the research and information agenda required to influence others.

The Sector Strategy would not have been possible without the significant contributions of Jonny Gritt (WAI), Christian Renford (Swimming NZ), Paul Dalton (SLSNZ), and Lindsay Sturt (Maritime NZ). On behalf of the sector,  I thank you all.

Last year WSNZ invested against its priority areas of; under 5’s, 5-13 years, males, and the environment; while  continuing to encourage improvement and evolution in delivery. I’d like to acknowledge a couple of standouts this  year - Surf Life Saving NZ for their review of surf education, and the Te Taitimu Trust who continued to deliver  incredible outcomes through water safety education for tamariki and rangatahi.

These partnerships are critical to getting the business done. There are many more, a large number of which are supported by our partners Sealord – now into their sixth year partnering with Sealord Swim for Life; and NZ Post for four years supporting our Kia Maanu Kia Ora initiative. I’d like to welcome a couple of new partners to our family - Protector Aluminium and Straight Shipping’s Bluebridge. Your support makes a huge difference and literally saves lives.

This year we have completed the last piece of ‘divesting delivery’, with the New Zealand Recreation Association (NZRA) taking on management of AUSTSWIM training and qualifications in New Zealand. Thank you NZRA and AUSTSWIM for your commitment to the teaching of swimming and water safety.

There are a great many volunteers, organisations and groups who perform exceptional work in the name of water safety. These leaders are the real inspiration, as they volunteer and give far more than they get. On behalf of the water safety sector, we thank you all.

I’d like to make special mention of the team at Maritime NZ for being instrumental in reviewing the recreational  boating strategy and processes, with a new strategy and changes implemented swiftly and professionally. The first ever Safer Boating Week was a wonderful example of partnership across the sector, with an extensive awareness campaign to kick off the summer boating season.

It was also great to see lead organisations in the sector working together to agree key messaging and complementary campaigns across the summer holiday period, resulting in the highest ever level of media coverage, social media and community engagement.

This coming year will see us working hard to inform the balance between regulation and education, to prevent drowning. If we are serious about reducing the male drowning toll, we need to make the wearing of lifejackets on small craft  a requirement. This won’t be the only challenge we face this year. Looking at the capability of the sector is vital to  supporting improvement in operational performance, so we can reduce the drowning toll sooner.

2015 has been a huge year of change for WSNZ and I am proud of what we have collectively achieved. I would like to acknowledge Peter Dale, our Independent Chair who led us through this period of change and transition. Thanks also  to Sport NZ, ACC and the NZ Lottery Grants Board for their investment in and attention to the drowning issue.

To the Board of WSNZ, thank you for providing incredible stewardship through challenging times. And finally, to our small team at WSNZ, thank you for your hard work and commitment to water safety.

We have a big work programme ahead, but I know that with the support of the water safety sector, we will get one step closer to our vision of no one drowning in New Zealand.

Matt Claridge, Chief Executive Officer