Thousands ShakeOut in 2023 with support from Toka Tū Ake EQC
More than 680,000 people across Aotearoa took part in this year's national ShakeOut event, thanks to support from Toka Tū Ake EQC.
The final number of people who’ve signed up will be confirmed on the ShakeOut website(external link) in the coming weeks, with hopes it will top 2022' record of over 700,000 sign ups.
Hundreds of primary students in Great Barrier Island demonstrated the ‘Drop, Cover, and Hold’ earthquake drill organised by the National Emergency Management Agency, which was live-streamed across the nation.
Mulberry Grove School in Great Barrier Island doing ShakeOut.
They were joined by thousands of people across Aotearoa practicing the earthquake preparedness exercise at work and at home.
Toka Tū Ake funds ShakeOut each year as part of its public education programme to empower all New Zealanders to be better prepared for earthquakes and tsunami.
“It’s a valuable opportunity for individuals, families, communities, and organisations to practice and refine their earthquake response plans, which can make a significant difference when reacting to an earthquake,” says Toka Tū Ake Public Education Manager Hamish Amstrong, who joined the earthquake drill in Great Barrier Island.
Armstrong says ShakeOut is a good reminder we can all take steps now to be better prepared for the future.
“It's incredible to see so many hundreds of thousands of people sign up and take part in ShakeOut each year. It's a great opportunity to get our whānau, our friends, and workplaces thinking about how we can be better prepared.
“It's also a chance for people to think about taking easy steps to make their homes safer for hazards like earthquakes. Actions like fastening tall and heavy furniture and appliances, and securing breakables with Blu Tack or Quake Wax - these are great steps to start with. And any effort we make now will make a big difference in the future."
For information about how you can prepare your home, head to our Be Prepared section.