A strategy has been launched to reduce the number of Pacific Islanders who drown, especially during recreational activities such as fishing and swimming.
Water Safety New Zealand general manager Matt Claridge says 9% of those who drowned last year were Pacific Islanders.
He says the strategy focuses on the importance of lifejackets, checking the marine forecast and checking weather conditions.
Mr Claridge says Pacific people have a strong connection with water in their home countries, however New Zealand's waterways can be different.
Veteran lifeguard and patrol captain of the Muriwai Lifeguard Service, Brendan Barry Walsh, says its not just Pacific Islanders who get in trouble fishing on West Coast beaches.
He says swimming lessons must become compulsory at school and beaches need multi-lingual signs warning about the dangers.
The total number of drownings from 2003 to 2007 averaged 114 per year.
