New research from the Natural Hazards Commission Toka Tū Ake has found earthquakes remain the natural hazard New Zealanders are most concerned about, despite growing awareness around emergency preparedness.
The findings show that while many people understand the risks earthquakes pose and know the basic steps needed to prepare, a significant number of households have yet to take action to make their homes safer.
Public Education Manager Hamish Armstrong says the research highlights a gap between awareness and preparedness, with factors such as busy lifestyles, competing priorities, cost concerns and a tendency to delay preparation preventing many whānau from becoming quake ready.
The Commission is encouraging New Zealanders to take simple, low-cost steps that can significantly reduce the risk of injury and damage during a major earthquake. These include securing heavy furniture and appliances, fastening televisions and bookshelves to walls, storing heavy items on lower shelves, and creating an emergency plan with family members.
The message forms part of the Natural Hazards Commission’s nationwide “Don’t Wait for the Woah” campaign, which aims to motivate people to act before disaster strikes rather than after. The campaign focuses on practical actions that can be completed in a short amount of time and are designed to build long-term resilience within homes and communities.
The Commission says every household can take steps to reduce earthquake risks, and even small changes can make a significant difference when the next major shake occurs.
With New Zealand sitting on the boundary of two tectonic plates, earthquakes remain an unavoidable part of life. Emergency management experts are urging whānau to use the time available now to prepare, rather than waiting until it is too late.
