Tsunami Information

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the risk of tsunami in Bay of Plenty?

Tsunami is one of the hazards we face in our region. It is not a common hazard (our most common hazard is flooding) but a major tsunami would be a serious risk to life and safety, which is why we take tsunami preparedness seriously.

There are two 'subduction zones' (active undersea areas) that are not that far from the Bay of Plenty coast: the Kermadec Trench and the Hikurangi Subduction Zone.

A major undersea disturbance from either of these locations could cause a significant tsunami where we didn't have a lot of warning.

How will I know if there might be a tsunami?

A long or strong earthquake may be the only warning we get before a tsunami, so it is important to remember 'long or strong, get gone': If you feel a long (longer than a minute) or strong (so strong that you can’t stand up) quake, and you are in a tsunami evacuation zone (the blue zone on Bay of Plenty tsunami evacuation maps), then you need to move inland or to higher ground as fast as possible, and not wait for formal warnings.

This is because the greatest risk comes from tsunami that are generated from a local or regional undersea event: this sort of tsunami could be large, and we wouldn’t have much time to evacuate.  
Undersea events (landsides, quakes, other seafloor activity) that take place in other parts of the pacific 'ring of fire' can also trigger tsunami, but we would have more warning time. For example, if a tsunami was generated from an event near Chile, we would have around 13 hours’ warning.

In all cases, we will do whatever we can to warn people about a tsunami risk- this could include radio and TV broadcasts, Emergency Mobile Alerts and social media updates, but the most important lifesaving message remains 'long or strong, get gone'.

I live/play/work in a blue evacuation zone - what does that mean?

If you spend time in a blue evacuation zone, you need to know where you will go if you need to evacuate. This means knowing where there is a suitable tsunami safe location and how you will get there. Wherever possible, we recommend walking or biking, not driving. This is because traffic congestion is a risk when lots of people are all heading in the same direction at once. As well as a risk to your own safety, lots of cars on the road slows down emergency services.

Remember that if you do need to evacuate, you may need to stay in your tsunami safe location for a while. That’s why it’s important to have a grab bag of essentials that contains important basics like water, snacks, protection from the weather (sun/cold) and medications.

My child's school is in a blue evacuation zone - what does that mean?

All schools and early childcare centres are required to have a tsunami evacuation plan. Please don’t head into a tsunami evacuation zone to collect children from school. If your child's school is in a tsunami evacuation zone, ask the school what the evacuation plan is. There are two important reasons why this is not a good idea to travel into the evacuation zone:

• Schools all have their own emergency evacuation plans which they practice and prepare for, including for tsunami where teachers will take students to a planned safe location.
• It is dangerous to travel into a tsunami evacuation zone and it adds to traffic congestion. If you are safe at home, stay home. If you have evacuated to a tsunami safe location, stay there until the all-clear is given.

Where do I go if there is a tsunami warning?

Head inland or to higher ground. Look at your tsunami evacuation map and find a location that is not in the blue evacuation zone where you can wait safely. Suitable areas might be up hills or in parks or other public spaces. Think about how you would get to your tsunami safe location and practice your tsunami hikoi (evacuation walk). Have a grab bag with your essentials ready to take with you (see getready.govt.nz).

I don't live/play/work in a blue evacuation area - what does that mean?

You don't need to evacuate in a long or strong quake if you are not in a tsunami evacuation zone.

If you are safe where you are, stay put because it is important to minimise traffic congestion if other people need to evacuate. If you get official advice to evacuate, listen carefully - it may only apply to people in the blue tsunami evacuation zone.

Where can I get more information about tsunami preparedness?

There is lots of information at bopcivildefence.govt.nz/tsunami and getready.govt.nz it is important to know ahead of time if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone and to know where you would go if you had to evacuate.

What happens after I evacuate?

Once you have reached a safe place, you may need to stay there for a while. That is why we advise you take a grab bag with essentials to get you through the waiting time - things like snacks, water, something to protect you from the weather (rain cold or sun) and medicines.

If there is damage and you can’t return home, we will set up emergency shelter locations. If there is no damage and it is safe to go back, we will let you know as soon as we can. Both these things take time, so it is important to think about how you can look after yourself and your whānau while things are being assessed and organised.

What should I take with me when I evacuate?

Strike a balance between what you (and any dependants like small children or pets) will need for several hours, and what you can practically carry. Each person (other than very small children) should have their own grab bag that is not too heavy, but has basics to get you through; things like water, snacks, weather-suitable clothing, nappies, medicine, phone and charger etc.

I live near the Rangitāiki/Tarawera/Whakatāne River - Do I need to evacuate?

You only need to evacuate if you are in the blue evacuation zone. If you live upstream of the evacuation zone e.g. Edgecumbe, and do not live in a blue zone, you do not need to evacuate.

How will I be notified if there is a tsunami evacuation?

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) is responsible for issuing tsunami warnings in New Zealand.

In the event of a tsunami, updates will be made through the following radio, official websites and social media.

Check these sources for updates:

• Tune in to Radio 1XX - 90.5FM Whakatāne |  1242AM Whakatāne |  92.9FM Ōhope Beach | Listen Online
• National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Website | NEMA Facebook | NEMA Twitter
• Check the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Facebook page »
• Check the Whakatāne District Council Facebook page »

However, after a major earthquake there may not be time for the authorities to warn you of a local source tsunami so it’s important you know what to look for and what to do.

If you experience one of the following signs, do not wait for an official warning - move quickly to higher ground, or if the surrounding area is flat, move as far inland as possible. The signs to look out for are:

• A strong earthquake in which it’s hard to stand up
• An earthquake that lasts for one minute or more
• Strange sea behaviour, such as the sea level suddenly rising or falling
• The sea is making loud, unusual noises or is roaring like a jet engine

You may also receive an Emergency Mobile Alert. Emergency Mobile Alerts are messages about emergencies sent by authorised emergency agencies to capable mobile phones. The alerts are designed to keep people safe and are broadcast to all capable phones from targeted cell towers.

The alerts are targeted to areas affected by serious hazards and will only be sent when there is a serious threat to life, health or property, and, in some cases, for test purposes.

I have a disability/impairment – what measures are in place for me to evacuate safely?

If you or someone in your whānau/family has special requirements or is disabled, you will need to include their needs in your plan for emergencies. People with mobility, hearing and visual impairments, and intellectual disabilities will need additional support, and it’s important to take time to plan and prepare.

A comprehensive guide on emergency preparedness for people with disabilities - (PDF, 2.6 MB) is available on the Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group website.

Where can I go for more information?

Check out the following websites:

• National Emergency Management Agency
• Bay of Plenty Civil Defence
• Get Ready