Earthquake Preparedness – U.S. Embassy and Consulate in New Zealand, the Cook Islands, and Niue

Routine message: Prepare for earthquakes

Drill New Zealand, a nationwide earthquake drill, is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. on Thursday 16 October 2025.

New Zealand is vulnerable to natural disasters such as earthquakes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. The U.S. Mission in New Zealand reminds U.S. citizens of the importance of preparing for potential crises before they occur and offers the following suggestions to ensure you and your family are prepared.

Before an earthquake: Be prepared

Stock your home with supplies that may be needed during an emergency. An extensive list of suggested items can be found at https://www.ready.gov/. At a minimum, your emergency kit should include the following:

· A 3-5 day supply of water (about five gallons per person) and non-perishable food.

· First aid bag.

· Battery-operated radio, flashlights, and extra batteries.

· Prescribed medications and needs for special medical conditions.

· Baby food and/or formula, diapers and other baby supplies.

· Cleaning towels and disposable personal hygiene supplies, such as soap, toothpaste, sanitary napkins, etc.

· A mobile phone with chargers and a spare battery.

· An emergency kit for your car containing food, torches, booster cables, maps, tools, first aid kit, fire extinguisher, sleeping bags, etc.

· Personal documents, including passports, foreign birth certificates for children born abroad, medical, immunization and school records, cash, credit cards, and a card with a local translation of basic terms. If you have pets, make sure you have their vaccination records.

Check if your work, home, school or other places you frequent are in a tsunami evacuation zone on the New Zealand Civil Defense evacuation zone map here: https://getready.govt.nz/emergency/tsunami/tsunami-evacuation-zones.

Prepare your family in advance by taking the following steps:

Choose a safe place in each room — under a sturdy table or desk or against an interior wall, preferably in the corner of the room, where nothing can fall on you.

Practice covering and holding at least twice a year. Get under a desk or sturdy table, hold on, and protect your eyes by pressing your face into your arm. If there is no table or desk nearby, sit on the floor against an interior wall away from windows, bookcases, or tall furniture that might fall on you. Teach children to cover and hold on.

Prepare written instructions for how to turn off gas, electricity and water if advised to do so.

Inform visitors, nannies and caregivers about safe areas in your accommodation and your earthquake plan.

Create an emergency communications plan to contact family and friends in the event of an earthquake.

During an earthquake: Cover and wait

Move just a few steps to a safe place nearby. If you are indoors, stay inside until the shaking stops and you are sure it is safe to exit the building. Stay away from windows. In a multi-story building, expect fire alarms and sprinklers to activate during an earthquake.

If you are in bed, grab it and stay there, protecting your head with a pillow. If there are tall bookcases or other pieces of furniture that could fall on you, move away from them.

If you are outside, find a clear place away from buildings, trees and power lines. Drop on the ground.

If you are in a car, slow down and drive to an empty space (as described above). Stay in the car until the shaking stops.

After an earthquake: Be safe

If you are trapped under debris, cover your mouth with a tissue or clothing, try not to move and stir up dust, and do not light matches or use a lighter. Tap on a pipe or wall so rescuers can locate you. Yelling only as a last resort. Screaming will bring harmful dust into your lungs and reduce your strength.

If you can move, check yourself for injuries. Protect yourself from further hazards by wearing long pants, a long-sleeved shirt, sturdy shoes, and work gloves.

Check if others are infected. Providing first aid for serious injuries.

If you are in a tsunami evacuation zone, move immediately to the nearest higher ground or as far outside the tsunami evacuation zones as possible. Don't wait for a formal evacuation order – if it's long or strong, leave. Do not enter or return to tsunami evacuation areas until local authorities inform you that it is safe to do so.

Look for small fires and extinguish them. Eliminate fire risks. Turn off the gas if you smell gas or think it is leaking.

Follow your local TV or radio for updates or check the websites or social media accounts of the New Zealand National Emergency Management Agency or New Zealand Civil Defence. Information about New Zealand's emergency mobile alert system can be found here: https://getready.govt.nz/en/prepared/stay-informed/emergency-mobile-alert/

Expect aftershocks. Every time you feel one lid and hold it!

Inspect your home for damage. Get everyone out if your home is unsafe.

Tell friends and family in the United States that you are well.

Other tips:

Make sure you have your passport ready to use in case you suddenly need to travel. Most countries require that it be valid for at least six months after the end of your trip and contain two or more blank pages. See our passport page for information on renewing passports in New Zealand.

Stay informed by enrolling in the Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts and ensure you can be available in an emergency.

Keep the contact information for the US Consulate General in Auckland with you (see below). Connect with us on Facebook and X (Twitter) for official information.

help:

· US Consulate General in Oakland, Level 3, Citigroup Building, 23 East Customs Street, Oakland 1010

· Contact information: +64 09 303 2724, [email protected]

· Consular Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs: +1 888-407-4747 or +1 202-501-4444

· Register for the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive alerts

· Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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