A new report emphasizes the need for parents to prioritise their children's swimming skills.
Water Safety New Zealand figures show just under half of children don't take regular lessons.
Last year, 90 people drowned - the highest since 2011.
Chief Executive Daniel Gerrard says people must have swimming skills living on an island nation.
He says they are hearing parents will only send one child to lessons, while figuring out what to do with the other two or three.
Gerrard says on average swimming lessons cost about 20 dollars for about 30 to 40 minutes.
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