Emergency Management
New Tsunami Inundation Modelling February 2025
New tsunami inundation modelling that was completed in February 2025, for Hurunui and Kaikōura coasts shows the potential for larger tsunamis along the Kaikōura coast (particularly north of Hapuku) than previously thought.
The new Tsunami Evacuation Zone maps and other information can be viewed by visiting https://www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz/hazards/tsunamis
Check your address and 'Know your Zone'
Revised Tsunami Evacuation Zones February 2025
Long or Strong - GET GONE !
If you are inside the tsunami evacuation zones and you feel a long (more than one minute) or a strong (hard to stand up, things getting moved around/knocked over) earthquake you should leave the tsunami evacuation zones as soon as the shaking stops. Move uphill or inland so that you are no longer in the tsunami evacuation zones. Don’t wait for an official warning. A tsunami could arrive within minutes. Be mindful of landslides/rockfalls in hilly areas.
No Tsunami Sirens in Kaikōura !
The sirens in Kaikōura township are fire sirens, not tsunami sirens. Tsunami sirens are generally not recommended, because people tend to wait for the sirens to sound before evacuating, instead of evacuating immediately on feeling a long or strong earthquake, which puts them in danger.
Not in Evacuation Zone?
If you’re not in a tsunami evacuation zone, you do not need to leave.
Consider opening your home to friends and family who are evacuating.
Click on the following link for more information:
Get Ready for an Emergency
We live in a wild and beautiful place where emergencies and disasters can occur with little or no warning. If they do happen, Kaikōura may be isolated for days or weeks. This page contains a number of resources that can help you, your whānau, your friends and your neighbourhood prepare for an emergency.
Civil Defence is a network made up of you, your neighbours and your community. Supporting you are the local, regional and national Emergency Management Civil Defence staff, who in turn are supported by international aid if needed.
In the days and weeks following a disaster, your local neighbourhood will be the ones that you rely on the most, and will also rely on you. Do your part to help so that we can help those who can’t help themselves on the day.
Be Prepared - Not Scared
Follow the link below to get help on how to prepare your household for an emergency including:
- How to make a plan
- What supplies you'll need
- How to stay informed
- How to make your home safer
You can also check out the sections below to find advice on specific types of emergency situations.
Are you in an Tsunami Evacuation Zone? Check the map and if you are, make sure you plan your evacuation route
Include an evacuation plan in your Household Emergency Plan.
Click on the following link for more information:
What to do during an event
Check out the link below for helpful information on what to do during different types of emergency events.
In an emergency, the radio is your best source of information. Make sure you have a radio at your house with fresh batteries or a self-generated power source (like a wind up radio) that picks up these stations. Remember you have a car radio as a back up.
- Brian FM - 100.3
- National AM 567
- National FM 101.7
Revised Tsunami Evacuation Zones 2025
Long or Strong - GET GONE !
If you are inside the tsunami evacuation zones and you feel a long (more than one minute) or a strong (hard to stand up, things getting moved around/knocked over) earthquake you should leave the tsunami evacuation zones as soon as the shaking stops. Move uphill or inland so that you are no longer in the tsunami evacuation zones. Don’t wait for an official warning. A tsunami could arrive within minutes. Be mindful of landslides/rockfalls in hilly areas.
No Tsunami Sirens in Kaikōura !
The sirens in Kaikōura township are fire sirens, not tsunami sirens. Tsunami sirens are generally not recommended, because people tend to wait for the sirens to sound before evacuating, instead of evacuating immediately on feeling a long or strong earthquake, which puts them in danger.
Not in Evacuation Zone?
If you’re not in a tsunami evacuation zone, you do not need to leave.
Consider opening your home to friends and family who are evacuating.
Which zones need to evacuate?
If there is an official tsunami warning, for a tsunami coming from the Pacific Islands or across the Pacific Ocean, you will be told which zone(s) (orange+red or just red) to evacuate.
You do not need to evacuate if you are not in a tsunami evacuation zone. Areas outside the evacuation zones are not expected to be flooded, even in a ‘worst case’ tsunami.
What about my insurance?
If you were previously outside the tsunami evacuation zones, but are now within them, your insurance should not be affected by the change. The evacuation zones are based not only on modelled tsunami inundation, but also on other factors such as evacuation logistics and ease of communicating zone boundaries. The modelling that the evacuation zones are based on is publicly available and may be used by insurance companies. It is important to remember, however, that the zones are based on extreme events and therefore may not be appropriate for insurance risk assessment. We recommend that you discuss any questions or concerns with your Insurance provider for clarity.
How does this impact my LIM?
Tsunami evacuation zones are mentioned in LIMs because it is important for people to be aware of the zones and what they mean. Tsunami evacuation zones are not relevant for land use planning; the return periods of the tsunami scenarios the zones are based on is much longer than that typically used for land use planning.
These zones indicate areas that people should evacuate as a precaution if they feel a long or strong earthquake or if they receive an official tsunami warning.
It is recommended to contact ECan for further information on how this may impact one’s property.
Find out more about how to be prepared for a tsunami at https://www.cdemcanterbury.govt.nz/hazards/tsunamis, or https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/tsunami
Tsunami
In the event of a long (more than a minute) or strong (hard to stand up) earthquake, the quake itself will be the only warning of a possible tsunami. Do not wait for further instructions, notifications or advice, evacuate immediately after the shaking has stopped.
Use this interactive map to enter your address to see what Tsunami Evacuation Zone you are in
We do not have evacuation centres in Kaikōura – everyone is advised to get up, get out and stay out if you are in tsunami zones. You should listen to the radio to find out when it is safe to return, or where to go for help.
What zone are you?
Red - The sea, beaches and river mouths, which are the areas most likely to be affected by a tsunami. Evacuate this zone if you feel a long or strong earthquake, or are told to during an official tsunami advisory or warning.
Orange - Evacuate this zone if you feel a long or strong earthquake, or if you are told to during an official tsunami warning of a large tsunami.
No zone - You do not need to evacuate to higher ground. Some areas may be cut off if your normal access goes through a tsunami zone, so be prepared to stay at home until the all clear is given to keep the roads as clear as possible for those needing to evacuate.
There are no tsunami sirens in Kaikōura. if you hear a siren it is a call out to our volunteer fire officers.
For more information, videos and resources on what to do to prepare for tsunamis click on the link below.
Earthquakes
Key things to remember
- If you are inside drop, cover and hold.
- If you are outside move away from buildings, trees, streetlights and power lines, then drop, cover and hold. Stay there until the shaking stops.
- If you feel an earthquake that is either longer than a minute, or strong enough that it is hard to stand up then get to high ground as soon as the shaking stops. The earthquake could be the only warning sign of a tsunami.
- There are NO TSUNAMI SIRENS IN KAIKŌURA SO DO NOT WAIT FOR ONE TO SOUND
For more information, videos and resources on what to do to prepare for an earthquake click on the link below.
Flooding
Most flooding happens when water from intense/persistent rain, and sometimes from melting snow, enters rivers, streams and lakes, causing them to overflow or become blocked. High sea levels at river mouths can also increase flood levels.
Floods can be dangerous when the water is deep, is travelling fast, has risen quickly, or if it contains debris like tree branches or sheet iron.
What to do during a flood
- Do not try to walk or drive through floodwater
- Move valuable or dangerous items as high as you can off the floor
- Listen to the radio and follow the instructions.
For more information, videos and resources on what to do to prepare for floods click on the link below.
Storms
Where to get information?
During a storm we will advise you to keep an eye on forecasts and weather warnings. The only site we recommend is the MetService website. Metservice has the resources to always be available in a severe weather event to provide you with accurate information. MetService works closely with National Emergency Management (NEMA), councils, and other agencies to deliver reliable updates during emergencies.
Storms can happen year round and affect wide areas. Storms and severe weather include:
- Strong winds
- Heavy rain
- Heavy snow
- Thunder
- Lightening
- Tornadoes
- Rough seas
For more information, videos and resources on what to do to prepare for storms click on the link below.
Landslides
Landslides can range from a single boulder or rock, to a very large avalanche of earth and rock that can spread for kilometres. They are caused by heavy rain, earthquakes and, in some cases human activity. Landslides often happen without warning.
What to do during a landslide
- Get out of the path of the landslide quickly
- Warn neighbours and help others if you can
- Contact emergency services and Council
For more information, videos and resources on what to do to prepare for landslides click on the link below.
Other Helpful Links
- Weather Warnings - When a weather orange or red warning is in place, check the latest Forecast and be prepared for unpredictable changes in road conditions or potential disruption to your day. https://www.metservice.com/warnings/home#upper-sou...
- Traffic & Roads - Waka Kotahi NZTA journeys website is regularly updated. Taking a few minutes to check it before you head out can save you a lot of time and hassle. https://www.journeys.nzta.govt.nz/traffic
- Advice for Emergencies - Check out the Get Ready website for helpful advice on how to prepare https://getready.govt.nz
