Water Safety New Zealand sees a worrying trend developing in the latest drowning statistics.
The number of drownings to date this year is 43 - on par with the past five years. However, the number of older men who feature in the statistics has risen sharply.
Figures for March and April show seven of the 11 drowning deaths were men aged over 50.
Water Safety NZ says recreational activities which men of this age group are involved in, such as fishing and boating, are partly responsible for their prominence in drowning statistics.
It says these men need to realise that being prepared for the water is crucial.
