A recent home pool drowning in the Eastern Bay has prompted a general reminder from police for people to take care in and around the water.

Emergency services were called to a private address in Wellington Street, Ōpōtiki at around 3.10pm on Monday where they found a person in critical condition. They were taken to hospital by ambulance.

Senior Sergeant Cam Mackinnon said since the start of summer, there had been 22 drowning deaths nationwide, nine more than the same period last year, with a high proportion being adult males.

He warned boaties to be careful while out on the water.

“Quite often an area that you’re familiar with can lead to complacency,” he said.

“If you’re a fisherman and you go out on your own, if you don’t tell your partner where you’re going and you don’t have time frames, if you get into trouble, you are really on your own.”