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.

Capable phones

Check if your phone is able to receive Emergency Mobile Alerts.

FAQs

Find helpful answers to frequently asked questions about Emergency Mobile Alert.

Nationwide tests

Find information and results about nationwide tests of Emergency Mobile Alert.

Emergency Mobile Alert Feedback

Give us feedback about Emergency Mobile Alert. Information collected in this survey is used to make ongoing improvements to the alerting platform, which is used to keep people in New Zealand safe.

Give feedback

How to get Emergency Mobile Alert

To get Emergency Mobile Alerts you need a phone capable of receiving Emergency Mobile Alerts. The phone also needs to have cell reception and up-to-date software. You don’t have to download an app or subscribe to a service.

Please refer to your phone manual or talk to your mobile operator if you need help updating your phone.

We expect half of New Zealand's phones will be able to receive the alerts. We expect this number to rise over time.

Can I opt out of Emergency Mobile Alert?

As Emergency Mobile Alert is about keeping you safe, you won’t be able to opt out of receiving Emergency Mobile Alerts.

We do not target specific phones, instead we broadcast to a targeted area that is at risk. For this reason, we are unable to exclude your specific phone.

Your phone may show optional settings used in other countries, but in New Zealand we will use a special broadcast channel that is permanently on.