New Zealand had 46 drownings on beaches last summer - and there is concern the number is rising

A Surf Life Saving safety report shows in the past 10 years, 424 people have drowned.

Auckland had the most fatalities, followed by Canterbury, Waikato, and the Bay of Plenty.

Coastal Safety and Research head, Adam Wooler says those deaths happen outside patrolled areas.

He says about 60 percent of people swim at a life-guarded beach between the red and yellow flags - but the 40 percent who don't, are the ones who drown.