A coroner is recommending modifications be made to water tanks to prevent children climbing into them, following the death of a young Foxton boy in September.
Five-year-old Jahmaine Terry Reihana climbed on top of a water tank on a paddock next to his family's home and crawled inside.
His mother had gone looking for him and checked the tank after noticing the manhole lid was off, but could not see him.
He was later found submerged inside by his father.
Coroner Tim Scott has warned that water tanks with sloping sides and easily-removed manhole covers are potential hazards or death traps for children.
He said the tanks should be modified to make it impossible for a child to remove the covers.
