Willowbank Reserve

Photo shows a small flat roadside reserve with a sign on it that says

This large open space linking Waterloo Crescent with the river pathway is a great place to play ball with friends and family.

Tips to keep safe in the water

We’re encouraging everyone to be safe around our awa (river).

Water Safety NZ says anyone visiting our waterways, streams and awa should follow these handy tips to keep you and your whānau safe.

Wait 72 hours after rainfall before entering the river

Rivers are changeable and unpredictable – particularly after heavy rainfall. Riverbanks can also become unstable during and after heavy rain.

Check weather forecasts including rainfall in the hills above that could fill the streams and rivers where you are.

Look before you leap – check for hazards

Upstream, downstream and where you’re swimming. Rivers contain hidden dangers and swimming holes can change depths from summer to summer.

Always enter feet first and establish an exit point before you enter.

Keep looking

Can you see the bottom?
Is it deep enough for jumping or diving?
Does the riverbed drop away close to the edge?
Could you handle the current if you got swept away?

Rivers can be dangerous for a number of reasons

They can be very cold.
They are affected by the weather and can rise and fall quickly.
The current can be strong even if the river looks calm and the water is slow moving.
A person doesn’t float as well in river water as they do in sea water; someone in a river current will use a lot of energy to keep themselves afloat.
There are often hidden objects.

Signs of an unsafe river

Water moving faster than normal walking pace.
Discoloured, cloudy water.
Visible debris such as tree branches, rocks and logs.

A safe rescue is a land-based rescue

Dial 111 immediately if you see anyone in danger, so emergency services can get there as soon as possible.

If someone is being swept downstream, the only safe rescue is a land-based rescue. Do not enter the river after them. It is unlikely you will be able to reach them to help them and you may need to be rescued yourself.

Follow the person in trouble down the riverbank.
Find a safe place where the person may be able to swim towards the bank.
Use an object like a tree branch to reach out over the river.
Encourage the person in trouble to grab the branch or paddle and hang on.
Pull them to the riverbank and help them out.

If you cannot rescue the person safely from the bank:

Encourage the person to turn on their back and float feet first down the river
If practical, throw the person a buoyant object like a bucket, chilly bin or ball that they can hang onto and use to keep themselves afloat.

Guide your dog to a safe location

It’s good to know how to help your dog, but you should never risk your life for a drowning pet.

Do not go into dangerous water (such as fast running river water or any water where you don’t know the depth) to rescue your dog.

The best response is to remain calm and guide your dog by to a location where you can get them out of the water safely. This includes walking along the riverbank or waterway while calling your dog’s name. Stay ahead of your dog’s float path so they are not fighting against the current of the water, but paddling with it towards the edge of the waterway.

Medium to big dogs that panic in the water can easily drown a human, especially those who are small or poor swimmers.
Jumping into deep river water to swim alongside your dog puts you at serious risk. You can provide more help by attempting a land rescue. Dogs are very buoyant which can make them great swimmers.

Learn more on the Water Safety NZ website