Civil Defence  |  25 Sep 2024

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As the clocks move forward for daylight saving, the tsunami sirens along Christchurch’s coastline will undergo routine testing at 11am on Sunday.

The 45 sirens located between Brooklands and Taylors Mistake will sound for up to three minutes on 29 September.

“Residents living near the coast don’t need to evacuate or be alarmed by the sirens, this is just a test to make sure the system is working” says Christchurch City Council Civil Defence and Emergency Management Manager Brenden Winder.

The tsunami warning sirens are tested each year at the beginning and end of daylight saving.

For this test residents should hear a tone, followed by ‘This is a test of the tsunami warning sirens. Do not be alarmed. This is only a test.’

The tsunami warning network is designed to trigger an advanced warning of a distance-source tsunami that could take more than three hours to reach Christchurch’s coastline.

Mr Winder says while this weekend is just a routine test, it’s also an ideal time to make sure coastal residents are ready should a tsunami occur.

“Families should ensure they have an evacuation plan and all essential supplies in place if an evacuation were to happen.”

If there were an imminent tsunami, Civil Defence and the New Zealand Police services would alert residents using the sirens, radio, television, social media and local community groups.

People can check Christchurch City Council’s interactive online map to find out if they live or work in a tsunami evacuation zone.

Find evacuation tips on the Council’s website.