Eight people drowned in the Bay of Plenty region last year - ranking the region fourth in the national drowning statistics.

Figures released today by Water Safety NZ show ten percent of the 81 people who drowned last year did so in the Bay of Plenty – up one from seven in 2012.

Water Safety NZ chief executive Matt Claridge talks about the national drowning statistics.

Nationally, five pre-schoolers drowned last year - up 67 per cent on 2012, which Water Safety New Zealand chief executive Matt Claridge says is a concern.

"No pre-schoolers should be drowning in this country,'' says Matt.

"Kids under five should be within arm's reach of a parent or caregiver at all times in, on, and around water.''

To achieve a cultural change in behaviour around water, it is crucial New Zealand children are taught swim to survive skills at school age, says Matt.

Last year 81 people drowned in New Zealand, a drop from the 98 people who drowned in 2012.

"Overall, it's great that the toll is tracking down, but 81 deaths is still a huge number ranking us amongst the worst in the developed world,” says Matt.

Figures show five men and three women drowned in Bay of Plenty waters last year.

One of the women was Vivian Telfar, 54, who drowned while swimming with friends at the Mount Maunganui ocean beach near Sutherland Avenue at about 6pm on February 3, 2013.

Katikati man Tim Mair drowned on January 28 when his boat capsized in the Bowentown entrance. The 52-year-old's body was found 10 days later near Whiritoa.

Of the eight - three people died in ‘non-powered' boating and two drowned while swimming.

Drown New Zealand states one person also drowned while power boating, one in land-based fishing and one in during recreational-water sports activities.

Three of the victims died in inland still waters, including lakes. Two drowned on beaches, two in tidal rivers and one in a river.

For every drowning, another 1.8 people on average needed hospital treatment due to near or non-fatal drownings, says Matt.

"This is of huge concern and comes at considerable social and economic cost to the community long-term.''

Breakdown by region:

Auckland 16

Bay of Plenty 8

Canterbury 3

Gisborne -

Hawkes Bay 6

Manawatu-Wanganui 3

Marlborough 5

Northland 11

Otago 6

Southland 3

Taranaki 2

Tasman -

Waikato 9

Wellington 5

West Coast 4

Total 81