How to ShakeOutMe pēhea te Whakahaumaru

Find basic instructions on how you can get prepared and take part in New Zealand ShakeOut.

Before the drill

• Know your tsunami evacuation zone. Make plans for a tsunami hīkoi if you are in a coastal area.
• Learn about the earthquake and tsunami risk in your area and other parts of New Zealand.
• Download and share our Drop, Cover and Hold(external link) or Long or Strong: Get Gone(external link) posters. Remind yourself and others what to do in an earthquake or tsunami.

Information for schools, businesses and individuals

• Find ShakeOut information for schools and early childhood centres. We know that when kids are involved in preparing for emergencies, they encourage their families to be more prepared. And they play a more active role in responding to and recovering from emergencues.
• Find ShakeOut information for businesses and organisations. An emergency plan is a health and safety requirement. Not having one is a big risk for your business and the people in it.
• Find ShakeOut information for individuals, households and families. Taking part is a great way for your whānau to learn the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake and tsunami.

Doing the drill

ShakeOut is a self-run drill. You can start it in whatever way works for you. You could:

• use a bell, whistle or alarm
• play the New Zealand ShakeOut Announcement over your PA system
• shout “EARTHQUAKE DRILL”, or
• tune in to our Facebook livestream.

Drop, Cover and Hold for 30–60 seconds:

• DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
• COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.

While you are doing the drill, take note of what might be happening around you in a real earthquake. Think about what you might need to do to prepare for a real earthquake.

After the drill

After your ShakeOut drill and tsunami hīkoi:

• Talk about what you learned with your family, workmates, flatmates or friends.
• Make changes or add to your emergency plans if you need to.
• Share your ShakeOut photos, videos and stories on social media.