With a few weeks to go until New Zealand’s national ShakeOut earthquake drill, Hawke’s Bay Civil Defence Emergency Management Group (HBCDEM) are encouraging individuals, whānau, schools and businesses in the region to sign up now.

ShakeOut is held across the world to remind people what to do during an earthquake — Drop, Cover and Hold — and to practise a tsunami hīkoi (evacuation walk) if in a tsunami evacuation zone.

This year, New Zealand ShakeOut will take place on Thursday, October 27 at 9.30am.

HBCDEM is giving away 200-litre rainwater tanks in each Hawke’s Bay district – Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, and Central Hawke’s Bay – to encourage people to practise their Drop, Cover and Hold and tsunami hīkoi. The tanks come complete with all fittings and normally retail for about $250.

If you’re in Hawke’s Bay and take part in ShakeOut you can send in your photos and be in to win for yourself or your organisation.

HBCDEM Community Engagement Team Leader Jae Whelan said the Group wanted as many Hawke’s Bay people as possible to participate in ShakeOut.

“Hawke’s Bay residents can enter the competition by signing up and taking part in ShakeOut, then sending us their photos of the drill,” Whelan said.

“There are three categories to enter – individuals and families; businesses and organisations; and schools and education providers. The winning entry in each category for each district wins a 200-litre Rainbutt water tank,” Whelan said.

HBCDEM visited the tamariki at Port Ahuriri School during NZ ShakeOut 2021. Photo/Supplied.

This year marks the 10-year anniversary of the first national ShakeOut. Over the last decade, the Drop, Cover and Hold drill has been practised millions of times by New Zealanders across Aotearoa. Last year, around 665,000 Kiwis took part.

Whelan said earthquakes could happen at any time and knowing the right action to take saves lives.

“Here in Hawke’s Bay, we are at risk of earthquake and tsunami because we live in one of the country’s most seismically active regions, due to our proximity to the Hikurangi Subduction Zone - Aotearoa’s largest and most active fault,” Whelan said.

“Because of this, everyone in the Bay should know how to keep themselves safe in an earthquake.

“Taking part in ShakeOut is a great way for everyone in your whānau, workplace or school to learn the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake and tsunami.

“ShakeOut is also a great time to check your household emergency supplies, update and review your household emergency plan, and quake-safe your home, classroom or workplace,” Whelan said.

So far, a total of 530,000 people around New Zealand have signed up to Drop, Cover and Hold, with 17,500 Hawke’s Bay residents currently registered.

To take part in ShakeOut and enter the competition:

1. Sign up to ShakeOut - it only takes two minutes.
2. Make a note of the date and time in your calendar – 9.30am, Thursday, October 27.
3. Know your tsunami evacuation zone. Make plans for a tsunami hīkoi if you are in an evacuation zone. 
4. Learn about the earthquake and tsunami risk in Hawke’s Bay.
5. Take part in the ShakeOut drill.
6. Send your photo to enquiries@hbemergency.govt.nz by 5pm Friday, October 28 with the name of the category you’re entering (individuals/families; businesses/organisations; or schools/education providers) AND your district – Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, or Central Hawke’s Bay
7. Share the ShakeOut – use these resources to get the people around you involved.

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