Te Wiki o te Reo Māori

In support of Māori Language week, Water Safety New Zealand has produced some water safety messages to practice with whanau when in, on and near the water.

Ten water safety messages to practice saying with whanau;

1. Kia Maanu, Kia Ora
Stay Afloat, Stay Alive

2. Me ako koe ki te kauhoe
Learn to swim and survive

3. Tiakina nga tamariki ki te taha wai i nga wa katoa
Always supervise children near water – ALWAYS!

4. Manaakitia te mana o te wai
Respect the power of water

5. Kia mataara ki nga tinihanga o te rangi, o te hau, o nga tai ranei
Be alert for changes in the weather, the wind, and the tides

6. Whakamaua nga kakahu toiora ma runga waka
Always wear a lifejacket

7. Kaua rawa e hi ika, e kohi kaimoana ana mehemea ko koe anake
Never fish or gather shell fish alone

8. Kia tika ake nga taputapu wai
Always use appropriate water safety equipment

9. Kaua rawa e kaukau ina ko koe anake
Never go swimming alone

10. Whakarongo ki nga tohutohu a nga kaitiaki
Listen to the advice of lifeguards and locals

Drowning Figures for Māori Continue to Decline in 2005

Recent drowning statistics released by Water Safety New Zealand's DrownBase™ for the past three years show Māori drowning has reduced from 28 in 2003 to 23 in 2005, a reduction by 25%. The following is a summary of facts for Māori drowning in Aotearoa in 2003-2005.

• In the past three years there have been a total of 362 drownings with 77 (21%) being of Māori descent.

  23 in 2005 (Total Drownings 115)
  26 in 2004 (Total Drownings 122)
  28 in 2003 (Total Drownings 125)

• Waikato region has had 14 drownings over the past three years followed by the Bay of Plenty with 9 and then Northland, Auckland and Gisborne had 7 apiece.

• 57 (74%) of Māori drowning victims were male.

• Māori male drownings were spread across a range of water activities including accidental immersions, swimming, boating, underwater diving/snorkelling, fishing and road vehicle accidents.

• 90% of Māori females drowned in an accidental immersion or road vehicle accident.

• 67% of the drowning victims over the past three years were aged between 15 and 54 years of age.

• 80% of Māori females were under 24 years of age while Māori males (70%) were predominately aged between 20 and 54 years of age.

• 9 Māori preschoolers have drowned in the same period.

These are provisional drowning statistics as at 31 July 2006.

Water safety education will continue to be a priority for developing knowledge and skills to Māori and the community.

Te Aurere Waka Wananga

On the weekend of 16 -18 June, Te Aurere Waka held a wananga at Taipa in which Water Safety New Zealand Coordinator Mark Haimona was invited to attend.

Although the weather produced unfavourable conditions for sailing and water safety activities, everyone took part in discussions on waka safety procedures and education.

Sandra Heihei, ACC Safer Rohe Tai Tokerau, also presented to the group the strategies and direction ACC is using to prevent injuries in the community. Mike Harding, Wananga Coordinator, says “Our theme for this Wananga was safety on and off the Waka and the presence of Mark and Sandra reinforced our intentions to stay safe. Our intention is to become ambassadors for safety on the Waka whether it be Waka Ama or Waka Hourua, Waka Tete or Waka Taua. We have never had a serious accident on our Waka and we believe that it is because of our strict safety rules.

Remember, if you are going out on the water always check the weather forecast, tell someone what time you expect to return and always wear a lifejacket. If going out practising paddling on a waka you must always have flotation devises or lifejackets on board. Think safe, stay safe!”