What to Do in an Earthquake NZ: A Practical Survival Guide

 

Drop, Cover, and Hold | The Key to Earthquake Preparedness in New Zealand

 

When the ground starts to shake, instinct can be your worst enemy. Knowing what to do in an earthquake isn't just a good idea for us Kiwis—it's a critical survival skill. The only proven, life-saving action is to immediately Drop, Cover, and Hold until the shaking stops.

This guide gets straight to the point. We'll show you exactly why this is the only correct response in New Zealand and lay out a complete plan for what to do before, during, and after a quake, grounded in real lessons learned from our nation's history.

 

Living on the Shaky Isles: Why Every Kiwi Needs a Plan

 

 

Living in Aotearoa means accepting a certain level of risk. Our beautiful country straddles the volatile boundary between the Pacific and Australian tectonic plates, making it one of the most seismically active places on the planet. This isn't just a geological fact; it's a reality our communities feel every day.

The sheer frequency of quakes is startling. GeoNet records show that New Zealand experiences over 20,000 earthquakes a year, with a few hundred being strong enough to be felt.

The hard truth is that a major earthquake isn't a question of if, but when.

 

Lessons Written in Our History

 

We don't have to look far to see what’s at stake. The devastating 1931 Hawke’s Bay quake, a powerful magnitude 7.8, claimed 256 lives. One of the key lessons from that tragedy was the extreme danger of running outside—most fatalities occurred when collapsing masonry crushed people who had fled into the streets of Napier and Hastings.

Eighty years later, the magnitude 6.3 Christchurch earthquake in 2011 served as another brutal reminder. Of the 185 people who died, many were victims of collapsing buildings, highlighting just how crucial both building standards and our personal actions are. The city's ongoing recovery is a testament to its resilience, but the scars remind us why preparation is not optional.

These events, etched into our national memory, have fundamentally shaped New Zealand's approach to Civil Defence. They prove that the single most effective action you can take is to protect yourself from falling objects by immediately getting under cover.

 

This guide is designed to give you that confidence. We'll break down what to do in an earthquake into clear, practical steps:

 

• Preparation: How to quake-safe your home and build your essential emergency kits.
• Reaction: Mastering Drop, Cover, and Hold no matter where you are.
• Response: What to do in the critical 72 hours that follow a major event.

 

Having a plan transforms fear into action. It gives you the power to protect your whānau when it matters most—a skill every single Kiwi should have. For more on why being ready is so vital, you can read our overview on disaster preparedness in New Zealand and how to get ready for the next 72 hours.

 

Building Your Defences: Preparing Your Home and Whānau

 

 

When we ask what to do in an earthquake in NZ, the most important work actually happens long before the ground starts to move. The single biggest step you can take to protect your whānau is making your home a safer place, today.

The 2011 Christchurch earthquake taught us a brutal lesson: it’s often not the shaking itself that causes the most harm, but what falls on you. In a severe quake, unsecured furniture, televisions, and even hot water cylinders become lethal projectiles. Taking a weekend to sort this out can genuinely save a life.

 

Quake-Safe Your Living Space

 

Start by taking a walk through every room in your house. But this time, look at it differently. Imagine a violent, prolonged shake – what could fall, tip over, or slide across the room?

A big one, and something people often forget, is the hot water cylinder. These things can weigh over 200kg when full. If one topples, it can easily sever water, gas, and power lines, creating an immediate fire hazard while also cutting off your water supply. Both EQC and Civil Defence Emergency Management are clear on this: strap your cylinder to the wall studs in two places.

Tall and heavy furniture like bookshelves, wardrobes, and entertainment units are just as dangerous. They need to be firmly anchored.

• Fasten Furniture: Use L-brackets or proper seismic straps to fix any tall or heavy items to wall studs. This stops them from toppling during violent shaking.
• Secure Small Items: A bit of blu-tack or museum wax is perfect for stopping smaller ornaments and valuables from becoming flying objects.
• Check Your Chimney: If you live in an older home with an unreinforced masonry chimney, it’s worth getting it professionally assessed. These were a massive source of damage and injury in past quakes like the 2010 Darfield event.

Doing this transforms your home from a collection of hazards into a far safer shelter.

 

Create Your Household Emergency Plan

 

In the middle of a disaster, confusion is just as dangerous as the event itself. A simple, clear household plan ensures everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to get back in touch. This isn't some complicated document; it’s a quick, vital conversation with your family.

First, agree on a local meeting point if you have to evacuate in a hurry. Make it something obvious, like the neighbour's big pōhutukawa tree or a specific street sign. Then, pick a second spot further away, like a local park or school, in case your entire neighbourhood is cordoned off.

A critical part of any plan is choosing an out-of-region contact. After a major quake, local phone networks get jammed or go down completely. It’s often much easier to text or call someone in another part of New Zealand, or even overseas. This person becomes your central comms hub, relaying messages between family members who can't reach each other.

If you need a hand getting started, our guide on how to create a simple household emergency plan walks you through the key steps.

 

Your Two Most Important Assets

 

All your preparation really comes down to two essential kits: a ‘Grab Bag’ for evacuation and a ‘Stay-at-Home Kit’ for sheltering in place. They are not the same thing. They serve two very different, but equally critical, purposes.

 

1. The Grab Bag: Your Go-Kit for Evacuation

This is a dedicated backpack for each person in your house, packed and ready to go at a moment’s notice. It holds the bare essentials to see you through for 72 hours if you’re forced to leave home. Think of the sudden evacuations after the Kaikōura quake or the tsunami alerts that clear our coastlines—this is the bag you grab without a second thought.

Your grab bag is personal. It should be light enough to carry on foot and contain only what you truly need to survive if you can't get back home.

 

Your Essential NZ Earthquake Grab Bag Checklist

 

Here is a detailed breakdown of what every Kiwi should have in their individual grab bag, ready for a quick evacuation.

 

Item Category	Essential Items	NZ-Specific Consideration
Personal	Walking shoes, warm clothing (fleece/merino), waterproof jacket, wool socks, beanie, gloves	NZ’s weather is unpredictable. Hypothermia is a real risk, even in summer. Layering is key, especially during alpine or coastal storms.
Light & Comms	Headlamp or torch with spare batteries, small AM/FM radio	Power is one of the first things to go. A headlamp keeps your hands free. Radio is vital for official Civil Defence updates.
First Aid	Personal first-aid kit, essential medications (7-day supply), hand sanitiser	Pharmacies will be closed. Ensure you have enough of any prescription medication to last at least a week.
Food & Water	High-energy food bars (e.g., OSM, muesli bars), reusable water bottle	Don't pack tinned food. You need lightweight, ready-to-eat food that provides maximum energy.
Safety	Quality whistle, dust mask, copies of important documents (ID, insurance) in a waterproof bag, small amount of cash	A whistle is far more effective for signalling for help than shouting. Dust from collapsed buildings can be a hazard.

 

Remember to check and update your grab bag every six months, rotating out food, water, and batteries.

 

2. The Stay-at-Home Kit: Your Shelter-in-Place Supply

 

This is your big stuff. It’s a larger stockpile of supplies designed to help your household survive at home without power, running water, or access to shops for at least three days—but ideally much longer. After the Christchurch quakes, some people were without basic services for weeks.

Your stay-at-home kit should include:

• Water: The absolute non-negotiable. Store at least three litres of water per person, per day. A combination of stored water containers and a reliable filter or purification tablets is the best approach. Broken water mains are one of the most common impacts, as seen in Christchurch and Wellington.
• Food: A good supply of long-life food that doesn’t need cooking or refrigeration. Tins, dried fruit, crackers, and high-energy ration bars are perfect. Don’t forget a can opener!
• Sanitation: A portable camping toilet or even just a bucket with a lid, plenty of toilet paper, hand sanitiser, and heavy-duty rubbish bags. This becomes critical after a few days when sanitation infrastructure fails.
• Communication: A battery-powered or hand-crank radio. This is your lifeline to Civil Defence updates and official information when the internet and mobile networks are down.

Securing your home and building these kits are the cornerstones of genuine resilience. It’s what empowers you to manage the immediate aftermath, keeping your whānau safe while emergency services deal with the biggest fires.

 

Drop, Cover, and Hold: Mastering the Right Reaction

 

When the ground starts to shake, your first instinct is to run. We get it. It’s a primal urge to flee danger.

But in New Zealand, that instinct is dead wrong. The single most dangerous thing you can do during an earthquake is try to run outside.

The hard truth, learned from devastating quakes like Napier in 1931 and the Canterbury sequence in 2010-2011, is that falling debris is the real killer, not the shaking itself. Most fatalities were caused by collapsing building facades, unreinforced masonry, and falling objects inside buildings.

That’s why Civil Defence Emergency Management and every emergency agency in the country drills one proven action: Drop, Cover, and Hold. It isn't just a catchy phrase; it's a life-saving technique designed to make you the smallest possible target and protect your head and neck from falling objects.

 

 

Drop, Cover, and Hold in Different Scenarios

 

The core idea is simple, but how you apply it depends entirely on where you are when the quake hits. Here’s your guide on what to do in an earthquake in NZ, no matter the situation.

• At Home or in an Office: This is the classic scenario. DROP to your hands and knees to avoid being knocked off your feet. COVER your head and neck with your arms and get under the nearest sturdy table or desk. If there's nothing sturdy nearby, crawl to an interior wall, away from windows that could shatter. HOLD on to the leg of your shelter and be ready to move with it until the shaking stops.
  
• In Bed: Don't try to get up. Stay put, roll face down, and cover your head and neck with your pillow and your arms. You are far safer in bed than you are on the floor, where you could be injured by broken glass or falling furniture.
• Driving a Vehicle: This can be terrifying. As quickly and safely as you can, pull over to a clear spot. Stop the car, put the handbrake on, and stay inside. Make sure you avoid stopping under bridges, overpasses, or near powerlines, trees, and buildings.

 

The urge to get out of your car will be strong, but it's your safest "shell" in this situation. Wait for the shaking to stop, then proceed with extreme caution, watching out for new hazards on the road like slips, cracks and liquefaction.

 

When You Are Outdoors

 

Being caught outside during a quake presents its own set of challenges, especially with New Zealand’s varied landscapes.

If you’re in a built-up city area, your goal is to find a clear spot. Get as far away from buildings, streetlights, and powerlines as you can, then drop to the ground. It can be difficult in a crowded CBD like Wellington or Auckland, but moving away from falling glass and facade hazards is the priority.

If you're out tramping or near the Southern Alps, the risks are different. You need to get away from steep, unstable slopes, cliffs, or trees that could be affected by landslides—a major hazard during the Kaikōura quake. Find the clearest spot you can, drop down, and protect your head. Afterwards, be incredibly careful—paths, riverbanks, and slopes may have become unstable.

When the shaking starts, history screams a clear lesson: staying put is safer than running. Even during the massive 1855 Wairarapa quake (magnitude 8.2), which shifted land by 18 metres, many people survived by taking cover indoors. In the February 2011 Christchurch quake, a shallower 6.3 magnitude event, most of the 185 fatalities were from falling objects.

You can explore more about New Zealand's seismic history on learnz.org.nz.

Ultimately, mastering Drop, Cover, and Hold means training yourself to overwrite that flight instinct with a practiced, deliberate action. It is the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself when the ground starts to move.

 

Navigating the First 72 Hours After the Quake

 

The shaking has stopped. The silence that follows is often just as jarring, maybe punctuated by car alarms or distant shouts. This is the moment. The next 72 hours are a critical window where every decision you make directly impacts the safety of you and your whānau.

Your first priority is always people, not property. Before you even think about moving, do a quick check on yourself for injuries. Then, carefully check on those around you. If you can, provide basic first aid for anyone who needs it — this is exactly what the personal first-aid kit in your grab bag is for.

As soon as the shaking starts, your immediate, life-saving action is always the same: Drop, Cover, and Hold. This isn't just a catchy phrase; it's proven to be the single most effective way to protect yourself from falling objects, which cause the most injuries in New Zealand earthquakes.

 

 

Aftershocks are a certainty. The 2016 Kaikōura 7.8M quake was followed by thousands of aftershocks, some large enough to cause significant new damage and disrupt already isolated communities. Don't get complacent. When you feel another tremor, Drop, Cover, and Hold again, every single time.

 

Your Immediate Safety Checklist

 

Once you've dealt with any immediate injuries, you need to secure your surroundings. Move slowly and deliberately. The first thing you should do is put on a pair of sturdy, closed-toe shoes to protect your feet from shattered glass and debris.

 

• Check for hazards: Methodically look for small fires and put them out if you can. If you smell gas or hear a hissing noise, turn the gas off at the mains immediately. It's also wise to shut off the electricity at the main switch or fuse box to prevent fires from damaged wiring, as instructed by Fire and Emergency NZ.
• Listen for official updates: Your most reliable source of information will be your battery-powered or hand-crank radio. Tune it to a local station or an RNZ frequency for Civil Defence updates. Avoid social media for official news, as it can be flooded with rumour and misinformation.
• Communicate smartly: Mobile networks will almost certainly be overloaded. To keep the lines free for emergency services, use text messages or messaging apps to let your whānau and out-of-region contact know you're safe. A simple "We are OK" is all that's needed.

 

Assessing the Damage to Your Home

 

Before deciding whether to shelter in place or evacuate, you have to do a quick, honest assessment of your home's structural safety. Use a torch or headlamp, even if it’s daytime — you'll need your hands free, and power will likely be out. Never use candles or any open flame for light, as there could be gas leaks.

Look for these big red flags:

• Large, deep cracks in the foundations or walls.
• Doors and windows that are jammed or no longer sit straight in their frames.
• The entire building is visibly leaning or looks like it has shifted on its foundations.
• Loud creaking, groaning, or popping sounds coming from the structure itself.

If you spot any of these signs, or if your gut tells you it's not safe, get out. Grab your go-bag and head to your pre-arranged meeting point.

If your home seems structurally sound, you can prepare to shelter in place. This is where your stay-at-home emergency kit is your lifeline. Remember, don’t drink tap water until authorities give the all-clear, as pipes can break and cause contamination. Use your stored water instead. Likewise, avoid flushing toilets until you know the sewer lines are intact.

 

Looking After Yourself and Others

 

A major earthquake is a deeply frightening experience. The constant threat of aftershocks can create ongoing anxiety for you, your kids, and your neighbours. Acknowledging the mental and emotional toll is a huge part of getting through it.

 

Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as checking for cracks in the walls.

 

• Talk about it: Sharing what you've been through with family and neighbours helps everyone process the event. You're all in this together. The community spirit shown after the Canterbury quakes, like the Student Volunteer Army, demonstrates how powerful this is.
• Limit news overload: While it's tempting to stay glued to the news, constant exposure can ramp up anxiety. Get the essential updates from your radio, then switch it off.
• Reassure children: Kids will take their cues from you. Talk to them in simple, calm terms and involve them in safe, easy tasks to help them feel a sense of control.

 

Your ability to stay calm and think clearly is your greatest asset. By having a plan — check for injuries, secure your environment, assess the damage, and communicate — you can make sound decisions to keep your family safe in the difficult hours and days ahead. Being properly equipped is a massive part of this; check out our guide to building a complete survival gear kit to make sure you're truly ready.

 

Long or Strong, Get Gone: Understanding Tsunami Risk

 

 

Living in a coastal nation like Aotearoa means a major earthquake is often just the first part of the danger. The shaking ground can be the natural warning for a tsunami, a threat that can arrive with terrifying speed.

This is something every Kiwi needs to understand, especially when you consider that 75% of us live within 10km of the coast. The official advice from Civil Defence Emergency Management is simple and designed to be unforgettable: if an earthquake is Long or Strong, Get Gone. It’s more than a catchy phrase; it's a life-saving instinct you need to trust. The earthquake itself is your most reliable tsunami signal, and it will almost always arrive faster than any official alert.

 

 

Recognising the Natural Tsunami Warnings

 

Official alerts, like the ones that push through the Emergency Mobile Alert system, are a vital tool, but they take time to be issued. A local-source tsunami, triggered by a quake just off our coastline like the 2016 Kaikōura event, could hit land in a matter of minutes. You simply can't afford to wait for a notification on your phone.

You have to learn to recognise the warnings nature gives you.

• Long Shaking: This is any quake with continuous rolling or jolting that goes on for more than a minute. It’s tough to judge time during an earthquake, but if it feels like it just isn’t stopping, that's your signal to move.
• Strong Shaking: This is shaking so violent it's difficult to stand up. If you get knocked off your feet or have to brace yourself to stay upright, that’s your signal.

 

You might also see the sea level suddenly rise or fall in a strange way, or hear unusual, loud roaring sounds coming from the ocean. Any of these signs means you need to get gone—immediately.

 

The 1960 Great Chilean Earthquake generated a tsunami that travelled across the entire Pacific. Hours later, it struck New Zealand, causing serious damage in Lyttelton and devastating parts of the Chatham Islands, where waves surged up to ten metres high. It was a harsh lesson that tsunamis can come from far away, but for a local event, the only warning you might get is the ground shaking beneath your feet.

 

Your Evacuation Action Plan

 

If you're near the coast or in any low-lying area and you experience a long or strong earthquake, don't wait for sirens, texts, or any other official instruction. As soon as the shaking stops, your job is to evacuate.

Your one and only priority is to move inland or to high ground.

Take a look at your local council’s website right now and find their tsunami evacuation zone maps. Know your routes before you ever need them. Many coastal towns have blue lines painted on the roads indicating the edge of the safe zone—your goal is to get past those lines as fast as you can.

Evacuate on foot if you can. Roads will almost certainly be damaged, blocked with debris, or completely gridlocked with traffic. Your own two feet, or maybe a bike, will be your fastest and most reliable way to get to safety. Help others who might need a hand, but don't put yourself in danger by waiting around.

Once you’re in a safe zone, stay put. Wait for the official all-clear from Civil Defence before you even consider going back. A tsunami is never a single wave; it’s a series of them, and the first wave is often not the biggest. Knowing how to receive emergency alerts in New Zealand is critical for getting that official "all-clear" message.

 

Your Earthquake Safety Questions Answered

 

Even with a solid plan in place, a few common questions always come up when Kiwis think through what an actual earthquake scenario looks like. Here are some of the queries we hear most often, with straight-up, practical answers.

 

I'm Renting. How Can I Secure Furniture Without Damaging the Walls?

This is a massive one for the huge number of New Zealanders who rent. The best first step is always to have a conversation with your landlord.

Explaining that you want to secure tall, heavy furniture to prevent it from toppling in a quake is a reasonable safety request. L-brackets fixed to wall studs are the gold standard, and many landlords will be fine with this minor alteration once they understand the risk.

If drilling is a firm no, you've still got options. Heavy-duty furniture straps that use high-strength, removable adhesives can work well. At the absolute minimum, rearrange your space for safety: move heavy items to bottom shelves and never, ever hang or place heavy objects over beds or couches. It's also worth checking your hot water cylinder is strapped – under the Residential Tenancies Act, this is usually the landlord's responsibility to sort.

 

What’s the Actual Difference Between a Grab Bag and a Home Kit?

It’s simple when you think of it as 'go' versus 'stay'.

• A Grab Bag is what you take when you have to evacuate. It's a single backpack, ready to go at a moment's notice, packed with enough essentials to see one person through 72 hours. Think water, food, first aid, a torch, and a radio. This is what you'd grab if a tsunami warning forces you to get to high ground, fast.

• A Home Survival Kit is for when you're sheltering in place. It’s a much larger cache of supplies designed for when you're stuck at home without services. This includes bulk water (at least three litres per person, per day), plenty of long-life food, a way to cook it, and sanitation supplies like a bucket toilet. This is what people relied on after the Christchurch quakes when power and water were out for days or weeks.

 

What Should I Do If I Live in an Apartment Building?

In an apartment, your first move is always Drop, Cover, and Hold. Get away from windows, which can easily shatter and send glass flying.

Once the shaking stops, never use the lifts. Lifts can malfunction, get stuck, or open onto damaged floors. Always take the stairs and keep an eye out for debris, cracks, and other structural damage.

Your building should have a specific emergency plan. Talk to your building manager or body corporate to find out your designated evacuation routes and assembly points. It's vital to have your grab bag ready, as you might be evacuated if a post-quake inspection finds the building is unsafe.

 

Is My Tap Water Safe to Drink After a Big Quake?

You should never assume tap water is safe immediately following a major earthquake. The violent shaking can easily break water mains and sewer pipes underground, leading to cross-contamination. Drinking this water poses a serious health risk.

Always wait for the official all-clear from your local council and public health officials before drinking tap water, brushing your teeth, or washing food with it.

This is exactly why your emergency kits need to include both stored water and a reliable purification method. Water purification tablets, like Ef-Chlor, are a lightweight, effective backup to make other water sources safe if your stored supply runs low.

For a deeper understanding of how these actions fit into the wider national strategy, you can read more about New Zealand's '4 Rs' of emergency management in our related article.

 

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At Next72Hours, we provide purpose-built kits and gear to help Kiwis confidently prepare for any emergency. From complete survival kits to individual essentials like water purification and long-life food, we have everything you need to keep your whānau safe. https://www.next72hours.com