He says the awareness day is "the start of a conversation", and an opportunity to raise awareness about water safety. "For New Zealand the biggest challenge is still around our massive coastline and people's sometime inability to manage situations [in the water], and also boating, we still have too many things going on in boats that probably shouldn't. "I think we've got some messaging that's been going on for a long time, but just needs to be reinforced and pushed into some of the better community spaces." Key messages include urging people to be educated and aware of the risks around the water, warnings to take proactive steps to reduce the risks, and reminders to be prepared with the right equipment and know what to do if things do go wrong.