ShakeOut information for individuals, households and familiesNgā mōhiohio ShakeOut mā te tangata, ngā whare me ngā whānau

Doing the drill

ShakeOut is a self-run drill. You can start it in whatever way works for you. You could:

• use a bell, whistle or alarm
• play the New Zealand ShakeOut Announcement over your PA system
• shout “EARTHQUAKE DRILL”, or
• tune in to our Facebook livestream.

Drop, Cover and Hold for 30–60 seconds:

• DROP down on your hands and knees. This protects you from falling but lets you move if you need to.
• COVER your head and neck (or your entire body if possible) under a sturdy table or desk (if it is within a few steps of you). If there is no shelter nearby, cover your head and neck with your arms and hands.
• HOLD on to your shelter (or your position to protect your head and neck) until the shaking stops. If the shaking shifts your shelter around, move with it.

While you are doing the drill, take note of what might be happening around you in a real earthquake. Think about what you might need to do to prepare for a real earthquake.

Then if you are in a tsunami evacuation zone, practice your tsunami hīkoi. Move immediately to the nearest high ground or as far inland as you can out of tsunami evacuation zones.

Practicing your tsunami hīkoi means you know where to go if there is a Long or Strong earthquake. Remember if an earthquake is Long or Strong, Get Gone.