More than 1000 people in the Far North have registered to take part in New Zealand's biggest earthquake drill in September.
The Ministry of Civil Defence and Emergency aims to involve one million New Zealanders in the "Drop, Cover and Hold" drill during New Zealand Shakeout at 9:26am on September 26.
The 1017 Far North individuals and organisations that had registered for Shakeout as of noon on Tuesday included three schools (329 participants), the New Zealand Fire Service (298 participants), Affco in Moerewa (200), five preschools (171), 15 families or individuals (36), Tauranga Bay Community Association (25) and the Ministry of Education's Kaitaia and Kaikohe offices (15).
Far North Civil Defence co-ordinator Bill Hutchinson was pleased so many people in the district had registered.
"Northland, along with South Otago, is fortunate in having the lowest earthquake risk in New Zealand. However, Northlanders may be visiting friends or family or travelling on holiday or on business in less seismically stable parts of the country when an earthquake hits."
He encouraged more people and organisations to take part in the drill and register on the New Zealand Shakeout website at www.shakeout.govt.nz.
"We all need to know what to do in an earthquake and practise it in a nationwide earthquake drill. Shakeout isn't just about people learning what to do to protect themselves when an earthquake hits, it's also an opportunity for households and businesses to review their emergency plans and survival kits."