Calls for Kiwis to be less complacent when it comes to water safety

Experts are warning people to take extra care around rivers and waterways this long weekend - with rivers accounting for around a third of all preventable drownings last year.

Water Safety chief executive Jonty Mills says the wild weather forecast over the next few days means people need to be extra careful.

He says while the rough weather might see fewer people on the water it also means river conditions become more unpredictable.

Over the last five Queen's Birthday weekends there have been four preventable drownings.