Coroner calls for ban on temporary pools after toddler drowning

Friday 10 October 2025 · 3 outlets · 3 reports · updated Fri 10 Oct 2025, 5:00am

A coroner has described the drowning of a 20-month-old toddler in an unfenced temporary pool as a tragedy waiting to happen. The child wandered into a backyard in Napier where the pool was set up. This incident has prompted calls from Water Safety NZ to ban these pools.

How they headlined it

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1. StuffFri 10 Oct 2025, 4:00am

   ‘Her smile lit up every room’: A mother’s grief and the warning every parent needs to hear (opens in new tab)

2. NZ HeraldFri 10 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   Coroner labels temporary pools a ‘grave hazard’ after drowning of Napier toddler (opens in new tab)

3. RNZFri 10 Oct 2025, 5:00am

   'Tragedy waiting to happen': Renewed calls for ban on unfenced temporary pools (opens in new tab)