Government investment through ACC to Water Safety New Zealand has made a significant contribution to water safety in Aotearoa since 2005. Over the past 20 years, this partnership has helped reduce New Zealanders’ risk of drowning by 25% – a major public health success achieved through collaboration across the water safety community.
“We’re a small charity supporting a network of community partners nationwide,” says Gavin Walker, General Manager Partnerships and Funding. “For a small organisation like ours, $1.1 million a year is a big deal. It funds the data, insights, education, and community programmes that feed into schools, community initiatives, and even into the rescue services we work alongside. Ultimately, it ensures our viability.
“Our hard-won gains in reducing drowning risk cannot be taken for granted – there are major gaps yet to fill. We have a small team and manage our investment carefully to achieve the greatest possible impact. Thousands of Kiwi kids and families have learned vital water survival skills through programmes such as Water Skills for Life and Kia Maanu Kia Ora – Stay Afloat, Stay Alive. We acknowledge the financial pressures all agencies face but stress that this investment delivers an exceptional return for New Zealand”.
ACC is clear their focus must return savings to the ACC levy payer through a reduction in claims. While true costs to the health system from non-fatal drownings are unclear, the direct impact of drowning in terms of human, social and economic costs are profound.
"Drowning is the leading cause of recreational death in New Zealand," says Walker. "Our focus is on education and prevention. In a country surrounded by water, prevention is a proven cost-effective approach. Saving a life has a lifetime return".
Water Safety NZ is calling on Ministers to ensure that life-saving prevention work continues through alternative funding mechanisms.
Water Safety New Zealand also receives funding from the Lottery Grants Board and Sport NZ. However, ACC’s funding is critical to sustain work with community programmes.
“ACC’s investment has maximised the impact of other funding,” says Gavin “The removal of this key funding stream creates a gap in a carefully balanced system.”
With ACC stepping back, a key question remains: if drowning prevention is outside ACC’s remit, who takes responsibility for preventing deaths of an average of 85 New Zealanders every year?
“Long-term behaviour change requires long-term, sustained investment. This $1.1 million funding has ensured we are able to plan effectively to continue to deliver, ”Walker says.
“We hope the government will continue to recognise the value of water safety education and identify an alternative funding pathway to ensure this critical work continues – because it saves lives.”
For 75 years, Water Safety New Zealand has supported New Zealanders to live safe, confident lives in and around water. That work must continue.
“ACC have supported us for 20 years of our 75-year history. We acknowledge the critical role they have played for decades and thank them for their support.
“We know New Zealanders are facing a cost-of-living crisis, and we know ACC have many programmes to fund and are required to reduce their expenses. However, $1.1m is a drop in the ocean for government funding and we are very sorry to see the end of this partnership.”
For media enquiries or interviews, please contact:
Elizabeth Collins, Communications and Media | Water Safety New Zealand | elizabeth@watersafety.org.nz | 021 0291 2580
