Rise in drownings in New Zealand prompts push for urgent lifejacket law changes

A “staggering” number of drownings last year has prompted politicians and water safety advocates to push for mandatory lifejacket legislation to be introduced urgently.

A National MP has a bill in the member’s ballot that would make it illegal to use a vessel 6 metres or less in length unless everyone onboard under age 15 wore a lifejacket, but a Labour Minister doubts the regulation would be effective.

There were 94 preventable drownings in New Zealand last year, the highest in a decade according to Water Safety New Zealand’s latest prevention report.