2020 Annual Report

Tēnā Tātou Katoa,

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

This has certainly been a year of challenges due to COVID-19 and its impact not only on the water safety sector but on the whole country.  As the lead agency of the sector Water Safety New Zealand has responded to this challenge providing sector leadership as well as guidance around aquatic recreation during lockdown.

But more challenges and change lie ahead – this global pandemic will have a lasting impact on funding streams  and potentially on New Zealand’s drowning problem and  the organisation must be nimble and able to adapt and  cope with these new challenges.

Despite these hurdles there is still much to be positive about  – the successful budget funding bid has brought much needed financial relief to our frontline rescue services,  a stronger funding relationship with ACC and closer ties with Swimming New Zealand means greater support for Water Skills for Life delivery and work is underway on the next iteration of the Water Safety Sector Strategy 2025 to take us into the future with confidence.

Water Safety New Zealand continues to work on and improve its cultural capability and is making great progress in addressing Māori water safety in a culturally appropriate way. A partnership with the Ministry of Education has also led to the delivery of Kaupapa Māori water safety resources for Kura.

The sector as a whole continues to work with greater cohesion meaning increased efficiency and effectiveness. Also, increased use of data in smarter ways is also helping to make safety messaging and social marketing more targeted and effective.

The core collective responsibility of the sector remains the same - to ensure all New Zealanders enjoy the water safely. Too many New Zealanders continue to lose their lives or get injured in our waterways at great cost to New Zealand. However, without the efforts of our members and sector organisations the numbers would be catastrophic.

At the 2019 Drowning Prevention Summit we began the discussion around how we will create a step change for  New Zealand’s drowning problem, and how the sector needs to evolve, innovate and adapt in a changing world. These conversations will feed into the work underway on the Water Safety Sector Strategy 2025 planned for release in December 2020.

A new strategy also means change at the helm of the organisation with Jonty Mills stepping down as CEO after four and a half years. On behalf of the Board I would like to thank Jonty for his outstanding leadership during this period. He has led Water Safety New Zealand through a period of evolution and leaves it in a strong position to take on what lies ahead. His ability as a communicator has helped to boost Water Safety New Zealand’s profile and helped bring greater unity to the sector.

The Board would also like to express our thanks and gratitude to NZ Lottery Grants Board, ACC, Sport New Zealand and our commercial partners The Warehouse, Protector Aluminium and supporting trusts and foundations for your ongoing support and investment.

The Board is confident in the financial performance of the organisation during a period of growth and increased capacity, and as population and participation continues to grow.

I thank my fellow Board members and wish to also take this opportunity to acknowledge and thank Water Safety New Zealand staff, core members namely Coastguard New Zealand, Surf Life Saving New Zealand and Swimming New Zealand, general members and our numerous sector volunteers for your service, commitment and contributions.

Nga mihi ki te whanau whānui,
Danny Tuato’o, Board Chair

Tenā Koutou,

In a year punctuated by the impact of COVID-19 for everyone, it has certainly been one of unforeseen change, with the need to respond and think differently. Water Safety New Zealand was well prepared and responded quickly, ensuring the wellbeing of our people as the first priority. The direct  impact on our operations was minimal and was supported by a robust business continuity plan.  We were also fortunate the vast majority of our activity could continue from remote locations, and we were not met with the same revenue shocks that many have experienced. This enabled us to continue with our work, whilst also responding to and supporting the wider sector.

Following on from the 2018 drowning toll, the second lowest since records began, was always going to be hard to replicate, and so it proved. 2019 saw 82 preventable drownings occur during the calendar year which is back up around the five-year average. Encouragingly though, is the continued downward trend when taking into consideration growing population and increased participation, as a per head of capita measure.

Water Safety New Zealand was able to invest $2.2m into  the community via our contestable funding round during the financial year. We considered 96 funding applications from 77 organisations for funding from the Drowning Prevention Fund. This was a 160 percent increase in the number of applications on 2018/19 and applicants sought a total of $5.2 million. As always, our funding round is significantly over-subscribed, and priority was given to those funding applications that demonstrated the greatest ability to meet the drowning prevention priority areas and objectives described in the 2019/20 Water Safety New Zealand Investment Prospectus.

For the third consecutive year we saw older males dominating the statistics, with those over 55 years contributing a significant 34 percent towards drowning fatalities. We also continue to see more activities undertaken by a more diverse population across a wider range of environments. It adds to the challenge we all face.

Outside of COVID-19, a highlight for the sustainability of the wider water safety sector, particularly our frontline rescue services, was the successful outcome of our collaborative budget bid 2020, which saw $63m invested into our sector over the next four years. This was the culmination of several years’ work, involving cross agency collaboration with many people contributing. It was a fantastic outcome, particularly within the context of the current environment.

We’ve formed new and improved existing partnerships with ACC, Government, Sport New Zealand and Māori among many others. We have also continued to work with our Kaihautū Māori to further develop our internal cultural capability, as well as advise on better Māori engagement and strategy.

Our ‘Swim Reaper’ summer campaign, targeting young males, again proved immensely successful, exceeding all metrics and importantly having a measurable impact.  Last summer was the fourth consecutive summer we have run this campaign, as it retains its’ relevance and impact.

Importantly we commenced the development of the next iteration of the Water Safety Sector Strategy 2021-25 following the inaugural version developed in 2015. This work is being led by Water Safety New Zealand in collaboration with the Cross Sector Reference Group, combined with wide ranging sector consultation, and is due for release at the end of 2020. Despite the challenges of COVID -19 hindering progress, we’ve managed to keep the momentum going.

The refreshed strategy will set direction, a roadmap for the wider sector without being too prescriptive. This in turn will support sector alignment and allow organisations to cross reference with their own plans. We think much of the previous strategy’s intent remains valid. However, better monitoring and evaluation, and a reporting framework  will also be developed to inform progress and effectiveness.  We’ll use data, research and insights to drive interventions and create tangible and realistic goals, as well as measurable outcomes.

As a sector we face many challenges as we look to the future and what lies ahead. Financial sustainability and the impact of vulnerable revenue streams creates uncertainty. Adapting to the new “normal” and modifying business and operational models will be a necessary consequence.

Our diverse demographics, population growth and participation rates will all impact the wider sectors’ capacity to meet growing demand for services. The changing shape of volunteering will be a factor to consider, as will be the ongoing evolution of technology. Each of these things are part of an Environmental outlook we all need to take into consideration.

I remain a strong advocate for all children coming out of the education system with the foundational skills and competence to enjoy the water safely. Our Water Skills for Life (WSFL) programme aims to make this a reality, but it will need more influential support at both central and local government level. We have ambitions to expand this programme in the coming year through wider partnerships and better advocacy.

As Chief Executive, this is my final contribution to the Annual Report before handing over the reins to my successor at the  end of 2020. After four and a half years at the helm, the timing is right for the next person to lead the organisation forward. Thanks to one and all for your guidance, wisdom and support, as well as your willingness to work together for the greater good.

I’m very proud of what we have collectively achieved as a water safety sector during my time. We’ve had many successes, as well as many challenges. We’re more joined up and the sector has a great platform moving forward, albeit in a challenging environment. Water Safety New Zealand is also in great shape with a solid and sustainable foundation into the future. Together, we’re a sector of genuinely passionate people who care.

I’d like to thank the Board for their guidance and continued drive to ensure we make a difference. To the fantastic team at Water Safety New Zealand; I genuinely believe we ‘punch above our weight’ because each and every staff member cares and is prepared to go beyond the call of duty. Thank you.  

To our acknowledged funders and generous supporters; Protector Aluminium, G8 Safe, The Architects Choice and  The Warehouse and all our members; collectively we share the vision and no one party could do this alone. Thank you.

Naku noa, na
Jonty Mills, CEO