Media release

30 September 2013

Auckland Council welcomes tsunami report on need for public preparedness

Auckland Civil Defence Controller Clive Manley has welcomed the Review of Tsunami Hazard in New Zealand (2013 Update), released today, which reinforces the need for the public to understand and be prepared to respond to the threat of a tsunami.

He says the new data from GNS provides more up to date information on the long term tsunami risk for the Auckland region.

“We have been working with our communities on hazards such as tsunami for the last three years, and we have local evacuation plans in place.

The report says main areas where tsunami caused by local and regional sources pose a greater hazard than previously understood include the north-west part of the Auckland region and  Great Barrier Island, along with the coasts of Northland, the Coromandel Peninsula, and the Bay of Plenty;

Clive Manley says, “This new research means some of our existing community response plans will need to be updated.

“We will work closely with those communities to help them revise their plans.

Together with our local communities, we will agree what type of signage, ‘markings on the road’, and information for residents is best for each local area.”

Auckland already has a number of public alerting systems such as smartphone apps, text alerts and telephone auto dialer.

“We also have sirens on some of our beaches. 

“We will also be using our usual public education channels to reinforce what coastal residents should do when they feel the natural signs of a large earthquake.”

If you have a smartphone, please download the Auckland Civil defence app to receive instant updates. Go to aucklandcivildefence.org.nz/Alerting/Get-the-Applications/

NB: The Review of Tsunami Hazard in New Zealand (2013 Update) and maps showing the regional differences between the 2005 and 2013 reviews can be downloaded at www.civildefence.govt.nz/

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