New funding aimed at reducing harm in high-risk recreational boating environments is being rolled out nationwide ahead of the busy summer season, with $848,000 allocated to community education and enforcement initiatives.
Associate Transport Minister James Meager said the funding, distributed through Maritime NZ, is designed to support locally driven programmes that target areas and groups most at risk on the water. Of the total, $773,000 will fund 30 community education initiatives focused on small craft users, near-shore activities and groups over-represented in drowning statistics.
A further $75,000 will go to 11 regional authorities to carry out targeted on-water compliance checks.
Meager said the funding spans the country, from Northland to Southland, enabling regions to strengthen bar-crossing education, improve safety awareness and boost enforcement during peak boating months. Examples include $43,000 for Watersafe Auckland to deliver safety education at busy boat ramps, and $10,000 for Queenstown Lakes District Council to run a programme for recreational craft operators on inland waterways.
An average of 37 people die from drowning each summer, a toll Meager described as largely preventable. He said wearing a lifejacket remains the most effective way to reduce harm and encouraged boaties to prioritise safety while on the water this holiday season.
Image credit: Cam James
Or its state money laundering.
Stuff the boaties what about the vaxx injuries where is the funding for them,.
“Authorities” to carry out targeted on-water “compliance checks”
to “reduce harm”….
What a waste of money. Money laundering!!!
Boaties made the choice to be out on the water, so they should be responsible to care for their own safety and for those on board.
Why do we have to tolerate government’s interference in whatever we do?