New Zealand ShakeOut 2026

New Zealand's national earthquake drill and tsunami hīkoi (evacuation) will take place on Thursday 21 October 2026 at 1:30pm.

NZ ShakeOut provides an opportunity for individuals, workplaces, schools, and communities across Aotearoa New Zealand to practise the correct actions to take during an earthquake and tsunami.

Participants are encouraged to:

1. Register at getready.govt.nz/shakeout/sign-up
2. Practise Drop, Cover, Hold during the drill
3. Conduct a tsunami hīkoi if located in a coastal area
4. Review and improve emergency response plans following the exercise
   
   

For health and safety professionals, NZ ShakeOut is more than a drill. It is an opportunity to test emergency preparedness, strengthen organisational resilience, verify evacuation procedures, and ensure workers know how to respond in a critical event. Ultimately, it is about understanding how to keep our people safe in the event of an emergency. 
In a country where earthquakes remain a significant natural hazard, regular practice helps ensure people know what to do when it matters most.

Preparedness saves lives.

Visit getready.govt.nz/shakeout(external link) for resources and information.