Aucklanders: we need your feedback to build our tsunami resilience

Aucklanders love a good walk on the beach, or in the warmer months, taking to the water to cool down. Tāmaki Makaurau abounds with beautiful coastline but as a region we are also vulnerable to dangerous tsunami.

Do you want to help improve our tsunami resilience? Auckland Council and Auckland Emergency Management have created a survey and we're asking Aucklanders to take part to give us valuable insights that could ultimately save lives.

"We are working to improve our understanding of the region's risks and help our communities prepare and act to protect themselves and their whanau during tsunami emergencies," says Councillor Sharon Stewart, Auckland Council's Emergency Management Committee chairperson."We've created this survey to better understand how and where Aucklanders use the coast, how people currently receive warnings and alerts and how confident people feel about what to do in a tsunami emergency."This information will be used alongside tsunami exposure and vulnerability studies carried out by leading scientists to inform decisions about the systems and programmes we can use to increase tsunami resilience and warn people in times of crisis."I urge all Aucklanders to take a few minutes of their day to complete the survey. We value your input, and it will have a meaningful impact on your community."Feel free to share the survey link with friends and family so they can also have their say."

The survey runs from Friday 2 August until Wednesday 21 August 2024.

Click here to complete the survey

We also ask mana whenua to use this survey link.

"However small, there is the threat of dangerous tsunami in Tāmaki Makaurau and it's important that Aucklanders complete our survey, says Adam Maggs, General Manager of Auckland Emergency Management.

"Mana whenua hold a special place in Tāmaki Makaurau and have unique insights to offer around tsunami resilience.

"That's why we encourage mana whenua to complete a bespoke survey.

"Auckland Council works alongside 19 mana whenua iwi/hapu and is committed to delivering on its responsibilities derived from Te Tiriti o Waitangi."

Aucklanders are also encouraged to check out the region's updated and simplified tsunami evacuation maps through Auckland's Hazard Viewer.

Next steps

We aim to gather information and feedback to inform the decision-making process. Once the feedback from the survey is collated and considered with the tsunami exposure and vulnerability information, a series of options will be developed for both building tsunami understanding and alerting people in times of crisis.

In early 2025 we will engage with local boards and the community to explain and seek feedback on the options.

This feedback will be provided to Auckland Council's Civil Defence and Emergency Management Committee to ensure they have the breadth of information to inform their decisions on how to build resilience and enhance alerting during tsunami emergencies.

What are the natural warning signs for tsunami?

If you are near the shore and experience any of the following, take action and do not wait for official warnings.

• Feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand or a long earthquake that lasts more than a minute
• See a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• Hear loud or unusual noises from the sea.

Remember! If an earthquake is LONG or STRONG, GET GONE and move to higher ground.

Be prepared

Prepare your household emergency plan and practice it so everyone knows what to do in an emergency and what you need to take if you are evacuating. 

Check out Auckland's Hazard Viewer for updated tsunami evacuation maps.

Check the tsunami preparedness tips and what to do before, during and after a tsunami. 

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