Hawke’s Bay youth show the way: Keas join first ShakeOut drill

Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management is encouraging individuals, families, schools and businesses across the region to sign up for ShakeOut 2025 – New Zealand’s national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi (evacuation).

ShakeOut takes place at 9:30am on Thursday 16 October 2025, and registrations are now open at getready.govt.nz.

Hawke’s Bay already has nearly 16,800 people registered – around 9% of the population – but Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management Director, Shane Briggs, wants to see that number grow.

“We live in one of the most seismically active regions in Aotearoa, with the Hikurangi Subduction Zone – our largest and most active fault – just off the East Coast. Knowing what to do in an earthquake or tsunami could save your life,” Shane Briggs said.

“ShakeOut is an easy and powerful way to practise the right actions, build confidence, and strengthen resilience in our communities. I’d like to see Hawke’s Bay strengthen our readiness together with more people signing up and participating in ShakeOut this year”

“This is a great opportunity for whānau, workplaces and schools to Drop, Cover and Hold during the drill, then practise tsunami hīkoi evacuations if in the blue tsunami evacuation zone.

“It’s also a reminder to check emergency supplies, update household plans, and quake-safe homes, classrooms and workplaces,” said Shane Briggs.

This year, Hawke’s Bay Emergency Management and Napier City Council staff will join the Greendale/Tamatea Keas as they take part in their first ShakeOut drill.

Around 22 young people aged 5–7, supported by four leaders and parent helpers, will learn and practise their Drop, Cover and Hold and evacuation route together.

Group Leader Debbie Comber says it’s all about building confidence and preparedness:

“For ShakeOut, the Keas will be learning what to do in an emergency and then practising by walking together to a safe place from our den.

“The Keas haven’t taken part before, but it’s really important for the youth to practise so they feel confident and prepared if an emergency does happen. It also gives their whānau peace of mind, knowing what our plan is during an emergency whilst their youth are at Keas.

“I’d definitely encourage the wider Hawke’s Bay community to get involved too, as practising together makes us all safer,” Debbie Comber said.

How to ShakeOut:

• Sign up at getready.govt.nz – it only takes two minutes.
• Mark your calendar – 9:30am, Thursday 16 October 2025.
• Check if you’re in the blue tsunami evacuation zone and plan a hīkoi if you live, play, or work in the Blue Zone.
• Learn more about Hawke’s Bay’s earthquake and tsunami risk.
• Download and share these resources reminding people to Drop, Cover and Hold and if the earthquake is Long or Strong: Get Gone.

Photo: Greendale/Tamatea Cub Section practising their tsunami hīkoi in 2023

3 October 2025

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