Compelling Hikurangi Response Plan video released, highlights need for Kiwis to prepare

New Zealand sits on a subduction zone just like Japan does, and people should be prepared for the next large earthquake and tsunami. 

That’s the message behind the first Hikurangi Response Plan educational video, which features practical tips on how to better prepare for a large earthquake and tsunami.

Hikurangi Response Plan Project Lead Natasha Goldring said the ‘big one’ was not a matter of if, but when – however everyone could make themselves more resilient to natural hazards.

“While emergency managers are working to develop a response plan to such an event, we want people to make a household emergency plan, practise their drop, cover, hold and their tsunami hīkoi and become involved in their community resilience planning ,” said Ms Goldring.  

Five Civil Defence Emergency Management groups from across the North Island’s east coast – Bay of Plenty, Tairāwhiti (Gisborne), Hawke’s Bay, Manawatū -Whanganui, and Wellington – are working with East Coast Life at the Boundary (LAB) to develop the Hikurangi Response Plan.

The emergency plan will set out how Civil Defence, in the areas most likely to be affected, will respond to a future Hikurangi subduction zone earthquake and tsunami. Scientists have developed a credible magnitude 8.9 earthquake and tsunami scenario which will be used to determine potential impacts, response priorities and resource requirements.

Ms Goldring said although it can appear overwhelming, the Hikurangi Response Plan team hoped the educational video would encourage people to make household emergency plans and motivate them to practise their drills.

“Practise your drop, cover and hold, and tsunami hīkoi to high ground or inland by foot or bike.

“We know that practising these two things works as it helped save more than 95 per cent of people who safely evacuated in time in the 2011 Japan tsunami.”

Ms Goldring said although the project is driven by civil defence emergency management groups, everyone needed to work together to prepare for future events.

“We want to spark informed and practical conversations about what kiwis will do if they have to evacuate, can’t get home, or have no power, phone or internet”

For more information about the Hikurangi Response Plan, click here.

For more information about how to prepare for earthquakes and tsunami, visit www.happens.nz