Mangatawa Residents Stay Alert as Evacuation Update Issued by Civil Defence

Communities in Mangatawa and surrounding coastal areas are being reminded to stay vigilant and follow official guidance after an updated evacuation notice was issued amid ongoing natural hazards planning.

The Bay of Plenty Civil Defence Emergency Management Group has reinforced that the community remains in an area identified on tsunami evacuation maps as at risk from coastal hazard events, and residents should be familiar with evacuation routes and what to do in the event of an emergency.

Mangatawa sits within the tsunami evacuation zone identified on Bay of Plenty emergency maps – meaning that in the event of a tsunami warning, people in low-lying areas must move quickly to higher ground or safe zones and stay there until officials declare it safe to return.

Civil Defence says the update comes as part of broader efforts to ensure coastal communities throughout the Bay of Plenty are prepared and aware of the risks posed by earthquakes and subsequent tsunami threats – whether generated locally or from distant seismic events. Authorities stress that “Long or Strong, Get Gone” is the key message residents should take to heart: if you feel a long or strong earthquake, evacuate immediately to higher ground without waiting for an official warning.

Officials are encouraging residents of Mangatawa – and anyone living, working or playing in coastal evacuation zones – to:

• Know their local evacuation routes out of low-lying areas;

• Practice tsunami evacuation walks, or tsunami hīkoi, with whānau and neighbours;

• Have an emergency plan and grab bag ready;

• Stay informed via local radio, council alerts, and Civil Defence messaging if events unfold.

Bay of Plenty authorities are also reviewing signage and community communications to help ensure people can move quickly and safely out of danger if necessary.

Civil Defence emphasizes that being prepared ahead of time saves lives – and that residents should remain alert to natural warning signs like prolonged or strong earthquake shaking, unusual sea behaviour, or surface changes in waterways.

Radio Waatea will continue to bring updates to whānau living in Mangatawa and coastal communities as more information becomes available. Stay tuned and stay safe.

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