Summer is on the horizon but boaties are being warned to stay vigilant when getting out on the water.
Six people were rescued along the coast throughout the country on Saturday and one man died at the mouth of the Hokitika River when his boat capsized.
Coastguard's Caroline Corkwell is urging people to not underestimate the weather.
"After a long, especially miserable winter with very few days suitable for boating, we do find that the first fine weekend boaties perhaps don't do the necessary checks they should be doing."
Ms Corkwell says boaties should conduct thorough checks before getting out onto the water.
The Coastguard is urging people not to get overconfident following a blustery winter.
"We encourage boaties to take covers off, check the fuel, check the safety equipment, make sure everything's working before they set out on the water," says Ms Corkwell.
She says spring can bring unpredictable weather out on the water.
Newshub.
