21 July 2026
There’s a whole more to ShakeOut 2026 than meets the eye. Tairāwhiti has topped New Zealand’s ShakeOut campaign sign-up rate for the past five years and while we love a bit of regional bragging rights, this is far more than just a competition.
It’s about making sure our region is ready when a major earthquake or tsunami strikes.
The 7.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the southern Philippines in June showed just how much it matters that people, especially children, know exactly what to do in a serious quake.
Footage of school children caught outside as a roof collapsed during the shaking drove home how quickly a normal day can turn into an emergency.
Tairāwhiti Emergency Management group manager Ben Green says ShakeOut 2026 is a chance for everyone to practice ‘Drop, Cover, Hold’ for earthquakes and ‘Long or Strong, Get Gone’ for tsunamis – simple actions that save lives.
“Children are powerful conduits,” he says. “They carry these lessons home to ensure whānau update emergency plans and grab bags. That's what builds real, community-led awareness and preparedness.”
Education and preparedness planning is crucial for Tairāwhiti. The region sits close to the Hikurangi Subduction Zone, and has experienced tsunamis before — most notably in 1947 and 1960 — along with numerous smaller surges following offshore seismic activity.
Mr Green encourages every business, whānau and school in the region to register and take part.
ShakeOut is a worldwide exercise, with 60,349,708 people signing up to be part of ShakeOut Day in 2025 – 765,832 of those were from New Zealand.
WHAT: ShakeOut 2026
WHEN: 1.30pm Wednesday, October 21, 2026
WHERE: Your place – school, home or work!
SIGN UP: getready.govt.nz/involved/shakeout/sign-up
LEARN MORE: www.tairawhitiem.govt.nz/hazards/tsunami
ENDS
