Far North People Sign Up For NZ's Biggest Earthquake Drill

More than 1000 people in the Far North have registered to take part in New Zealand’s biggest ever earthquake drill in September.

The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency aims to involve one million New Zealanders in the ‘Drop, Cover and Hold’ drill during New Zealand Shakeout at 9:26 am on September 26.

The 1017 Far North individuals and organisations that had registered for Shakeout at midday today included:

• three schools with 329 participants
• the New Zealand Fire Service (Muriwhenua Area) with 298 participants
• AFFCO in Moerewa with 200 participants
• five preschools with 171 participants
• 15 individuals or families with 36 participants
• Tauranga Bay Community Association with 25 participants
• The Ministry of Education’s Kaitaia and Kaikohe offices with a total of 15 participants.

 

Far North Civil Defence Co-ordinator Bill Hutchinson says it is great that so many people in the district have registered for the drill.

“Northland, along with South Otago, is fortunate in having the lowest earthquake risk in New Zealand.

“However, Northlanders may be visiting friends or family or travelling on holiday or on business in less seismically stable parts of the country when an earthquake hits.”

He encourages more people and organisations to take part in the drill and register on the New Zealand Shakeout website at www.shakeout.govt.nz

“New Zealand ShakeOut is for everyone in New Zealand. We all need to know what to do in an earthquake and practice it in a nationwide earthquake drill.”

People and organisations that register for Shakeout will receive drill updates and information about earthquakes and preparedness.

“Shakeout isn’t just about people learning what to do to protect themselves when an earthquake hits.

“It’s also an opportunity for households and businesses to review their emergency plans and survival kits.

“These can help people get through other natural disasters even if an earthquake never hits.”

Earthquakes in Northland

• No active faults are mapped in the Northland region
• Eight earthquakes with a magnitude greater than 3.5 have been felt since 1960 – the largest was 4.9.
• The most recent earthquake event in the region was a swarm of quakes near Takou Bay in 2006. The largest of these was 3.4 in magnitude and was felt by residents in Kerikeri and Russell. No damage was reported.