Water safety authorities are calling for more boating education for Pacific communities after five drownings on Auckland's harbours in less than a year.
Three men and two boys drowned without lifejackets after overloaded runabouts capsised, and Maritime New Zealand says all the deaths were preventable.
Maritime safety officer Alistair Thomson said Pacific men are over-represented in recreational boating fatalities and fail to take safety measures before going fishing.
Free day skipper courses for Pacific boaties will be promoted to church and community groups before next summer.
