Achieving compliance with pool fencing legislation in New Zealand: a survey of regulatory authorities

The 74 local authorities in New Eland were surveyed by postal questionnaire about their enforcement of the FOSP (Fencing of Swimming Pools) Act. It was estimated that there are over 59,000 domestic pools in the country, i.e. 16 pools per 1000 persons. Nineteen per cent of pools were reported as not complying with Act, and the status of a further 33% was not known. Differing levels of local authority commitment and ambiguity of the legislation itself reveals that compliance with the FOSP Act is not nationally consistent.