ShakeOut information for individuals, households and families
Ngā mōhiohio ShakeOut mā te tangata, ngā whare me ngā whānau
New Zealand ShakeOut, our national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi, is taking place Thursday 28 October 2021 at 9:30am.
Taking part is a great way for you and your whānau to learn the right actions to take before, during and after an earthquake and tsunami.
Get ready
Leading up to ShakeOut, here are some things you can do to get ready for an emergency.
- Identify safe places to Drop, Cover and Hold such as under a sturdy piece of furniture and practise the Drop, Cover and Hold drill.
- Check to see if live, work or study in a tsunami evacuation zone and make plans for a tsunami hīkoi if you are in a coastal area.
- Practise your tsunami hīkoi so you know where to go. Try taking your pet for a walk along your evacuation route.
- Make a Household Emergency Plan so everyone in your household knows what to do in an emergency.
- Work out what supplies you need for a grab bag or an emergency kit.
- Visit the EQC website to find out how to quake-safe your home.
Sign up for ShakeOut
Sign up to take part in New Zealand ShakeOut 2021 and you're in to win personal emergency grab bags for your household.
Sign up
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.
This New Zealand ShakeOut audio announcement can be used to facilitate your Drop Cover and Hold earthquake drill. Play it through a speaker or PA so everyone knows the correct action to take.
| shakeout-drill-day-audio-en-jul19.mp3 | mp3 | 1.9 MB |
After the drill
After your drill is complete:
- Talk with your whānau about what you learned.
- Make changes to your household emergency plan.
- Share your ShakeOut photos, videos and stories on social media.
Say thanks to kids for participating in New Zealand ShakeOut by giving them our New Zealand ShakeOut 2021 certificate.
| ShakeOut-2021-Blank-Certificate-of-Participation.pdf | 140 KB |
| ShakeOut-2021-Generic-Certificate-of-Participation.pdf | 184 KB |
Extra requirements
If you, or a member of your household, is disabled or has any extra requirements that may affect your/their ability to Drop, Cover or Hold or practise a tsunami hīkoi, we have information to help you get ready.
Find out more
Share the ShakeOut
It’s important that everyone knows what to do for ShakeOut. You never know where you will be or who’s going to be around in an emergency.
- Our Share the ShakeOut page has resources for you to share with your employer, school or any group you are part of so you can encourage them to do the drill together.
- Share the ShakeOut on social media to let people know about ShakeOut and what you're going to be doing on drill day.
Resources
Download and share this factsheet in English on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
| drop-cover-earthquake-happens-fact-en-dec16.pdf | 2 MB |
Download and share this factsheet in Te Reo Māori on what to do before, during and after an earthquake.
| drop-cover-earthquake-happens-fact-mi-jan17.pdf | 117 KB |
Download and share this helpful factsheet in English about what to do before, during and after a tsunami.
| long-strong-earthquake-fact-en-dec16.pdf | 1.9 MB |
Download and share this helpful factsheet in English and Te Reo Māori about what to do before, during and after a tsunami.
| long-strong-earthquake-fact-mi-jan17.pdf | 104 KB |
Drop, Cover and Hold is the right action to take in an earthquake. It stops you being knocked over, makes you a smaller target for falling and flying objects and protects your head, neck and vital organs. Watch this short video to find out more about Drop Cover and Hold.
For a local source tsunami, which could arrive in minutes, there won’t be time for an official warning. It is important to recognise the natural warning signs and act quickly. Remember, Long or Strong, Get Gone.
Make a plan online with your family/flatmates/friends to get through an emergency. Think about the things you need every day and work out what you would do if you didn’t have them.
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