Water Safety New Zealand says it is concerned about the increasing number of recreational drownings.
Fourteen drownings were recorded during March and the Easter holiday - 13 of which involved recreational activities.
Water Safety New Zealand says most could have been avoided if proper water safety measures had been taken.
General manager Matt Claridge says though the number of total drownings are down, the number of those drowning while boating, fishing, diving and swimming is increasing.
Mr Claridge says the proportion of Maori and Pacific Islanders involved in recreational drownings is also a concern, with those ethnicities making up one quarter of all drownings this year.
He says cultural practices are likely to be a factor, with Maori and Pacific Islanders regularly using the sea as a source of food.
In 2009, there were 98 drownings in New Zealand, of which 53 were from recreational activities.
