How to ShakeOutMe pēhea te Whakahaumaru

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

What is New Zealand ShakeOut and tsunami hīkoi?

ShakeOut is a self-run earthquake and tsunami drill. We will not send a notification.

ShakeOut takes place across the world to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake. You can start the drill in whatever way works for you. All you need to do is Drop, Cover and Hold for 60 seconds and practice your evacuation if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone.

Drop, Cover and Hold in an earthquake

In an earthquake Drop, Cover and Hold.

1. Drop down on your hand and knees.
2. Cover your head and neck.
3. Hold on to your shelter.

Drop, Cover and Hold is the right action to take in an earthquake. It:

• stops you being knocked over,
• make you a smaller target for falling and flying objects, and
• protects your head, neck and vital organs.

Do not run outside during earthquake shaking or you risk getting hit by falling bricks and glass.

Practising Drop, Cover and Hold means you can quickly take the right action in an earthquake.

Learn how to Drop, Cover and Hold in different situations or if you have a mobility impairment.

If an earthquake is Long or Strong, Get Gone

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. 

Drop, Cover and Hold if there is earthquake shaking. As soon as the shaking stops, move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones. Even if you can't get out of your evacuation zone, go as far or as high as you can. Every metre makes a difference. 

Practicing your tsunami hīkoi (evacuation) means you know where to go if there is a Long or Strong earthquake. 

Find your tsunami evacuation zone.

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.

Then if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone, practice your tsunami hīkoi. Move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.

Practicing your tsunami hīkoi means you know where to go if there is a Long or Strong earthquake. Remember if an earthquake is Long or Strong, Get Gone.

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.