It's high time to be waterwise

It’s time for families in Mana to get waterwise and to utilise the help that is being offered in our community to ensure we are all safe in the water, Kris Faafoi MP for Mana said today.

“Unfortunately we’ve had our own tragedy locally early this year and the death of Albert Alapati should not pass without our families learning some lessons,” Kris Faafoi said.

“At the weekend I attended a fantastic water safety initiative for the Pacific community at Cannons Creek pool where our kids were taught the basics in water safety.

“They are now equipped with some basic skills to recognise danger at our local swimming spots and how to deal with trouble if they encounter it.

“The beach safety session by Marc Pulepule, club captain of the Maranui Surf Life Saving Club, taught many who swim at our beaches key skills about rips and local dangers that they were not already aware of.

“I would like to congratulate Water Safety New Zealand, Lepeti Tea and her local team for getting this initiative under way.

“Much more needs to be done to get all our children and families waterwise. The days of learning these skills at our schools has passed. There are just 11 school pools in the Wellington region, just one of those is in Porirua.

“That is a sad situation that needs more attention, but in the meantime our local water safety initiatives need support. They will save lives.”