- New Zealand ShakeOut is our national earthquake drill and tsunami hikoi taking place on Thursday 19 October 2023 at 9.30am.
- ShakeOut takes place across the world to remind people of the right action to take during an earthquake. Drop, Cover and Hold. You can also practise a tsunami hīkoi (evacuation) if you’re in a coastal area.
- You can Tukua tō īngoa mō te Whakahaumaru Aotearoa (sign up) for New Zealand ShakeOut to receive information about preparing for emergencies.
- You can find out information on what to do before, during and after the drill.
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.