A near drowning at Palmerston yesterday was the latest in a string of water-related incidents since Christmas Day.
A St John spokesman said a young child was flown to Dunedin Hospital in a serious condition after swallowing a lot of water before being rescued about 12.20pm.
No other details were available.
On Saturday in Dunedin, St Kilda Surf Life Saving Club lifeguards helped two young people ashore in separate rescues at 5.30pm and 5.45pm, after they had been caught in a rip.
Police yesterday pleaded with water users to be cautious this summer, following five drownings in two days.
On Christmas Day, a 3-year-old boy drowned in a lagoon at Ocean Beach in Hawkes Bay, and a man and woman died at Ruapeke Beach on Waikato's west coast.
The body of the 17-year-old youth caught in a rip off Castle Cliff Beach, in Wanganui, on Christmas Day was found last night just north of where he went missing.
An 82-year-old woman drowned near Kerikeri on Boxing Day.
A neighbour believed she had suffered a medical event and fallen into a pond.
A man had a close call in the water near Mangere Bridge, Auckland, yesterday.
Police said the man got caught in the current at Kiwi Esplanade after going into the water to retrieve a ball.
Ambulance staff performed CPR and transferred the man to Middlemore Hospital.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Adams, of the police national dive squad, urged people to take care in the water, especially when looking after children.
''People need to keep an eye on conditions and changes in water and weather, and need to stay well within their abilities, treat the water with respect and caution and avoid alcohol,'' he said.
‘‘Please actively monitor those with you and stay in arm's length of children at all times.
‘‘Being safety-conscious takes a little time but it's worth it.''
The tragedies were avoidable and were not accidents, he said.
Associate Transport Minister Craig Foss also urged people to stay safe in the water during the festive season.
''Heading to the beach, river or lake is all part of a Kiwi summer. . . but it's important to remember that keeping yourself and your loved ones safe requires a little preparation,'' he said.
Skippers should carry enough life-jackets, check the weather forecast, tell someone where they were going and avoid alcohol, he said.
They should also carry two forms of communication.
''So far this year, 23 people have died in recreational boating accidents, including eight in kayaks or canoes,'' Mr Foss said.
‘‘I urge all parents, families and paddlers to take sensible precautions, just as you would with other boats.''
- additional reporting The New Zealand Herald
